Moving on up to a 26D - Advice?

[ricklee_v17]

Well its only been a season and I think its time to move up. I know, I know.

"How can you succumb to 2-foot-itis in a season?"

I am weak, I admit it. As it turns out, I love my little V17. Its a great little boat. Operative word being "little". But my experiences this past season have led me to conclude that a bigger boat is going to be necessary.

I come from a very German, specifically Pennsylvania Dutch background and was raised in the Lutheran church to boot. Suffering and making due are not just things that occur in life for these two cultures, they ARE life. Well friends, the time has come to bust-forth-with and transcend the barriers of my ancestors. To rise from the bonds of martyrdom, self-sacrifice and a small boat. To boldly buy what no family member has bought before! {Cue theme music}

A Macgregor 26D

Below are the reasons that I have come to this conclusion. Please feel free to interject commentary below and tell me why, perhaps, this is a good or bad idea.

1. Love cruising, not just daysailing.
2. I am 6'4" (what the hull was I thinking in the first place?)
3. Want to be able to at least sit up straight in my boat. Don't need to play basketball in it nor even stand straight up, just at least be able to sit up with some level of comfort.
4. Would like for me and my passengers to be able to use the port-a-potti without having to attend regular yoga classes. (Please don't write back about how I just dissed yoga)
5. Would like a place to sleep that allows me to actually roll over if need be.
6. Would like a boat that feels a little less cork-like in the water.
7. Would like to NOT feel like a clay pigeon at a skeet range when out amongst other boats, particularly when out among other boats of the power variety with captains of the drunk persuasion.
8. Would like a boat large enough for a Bimini while sailing. Sun is nice but some days I swear that I am descended from Daedalus.
9. Really want my passengers to ENJOY themselves.

Now for the reasons I am looking at the 26D.

1. Really really really like the queen aft berth
2. Really like the pop-top
3. Like that its trailerable
4. Like that its affordable
5. Like the way the boat looks
6. Have read good things about the water ballast
7. Trust Macgregor after my first Macgregor experience

So...after all that, anyone have any thoughts on this or am I just a crazy man? Know anyone near DC selling? They seem to be hard to come by...

Thanks!

Rick

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hey Rick...

I dont think you'll be disappointed with the 26-D. I previously owned a 26-S (same boat except it has a swing keel instead of the daggerboard). It was a great handling boat. I now own a 26-X, which doesnt trailer or sail as well in my opinion, but overnighting is more comfortable with more cabin space in the 26-X. My opinion is that the 26S, & 26D are fine boats.

Happy Sailing

[baldbaby2000]

I've never had one but I know they do well in races from what I've seen. The only thing I might think about is whether you need to worry about breaking daggerboards with the "D" as compared to the swing keel on the "S."

Daniel

[Abby Normal]

Oreana-

One mod I'm thinking of for my M-25 is a main sheet traveller, looking around my cockpit, there's only a couple of options, one is to locate it in front of the companionway, or to somehow build a couple of stanchions over the tiller and lay it in at the back of the mast.

I don't like the idea of putting it at the companionway for access reasons if someone needs to go inside under sail, and it seems like it would make using a Bimini top under sail about impossible.

The PO had put a ring in the bottom of the middle of the cockpit and a bail about 2 ft in from the end of the boom for the jib sheet, which is okay, but I think may be somewhat inefficient.

Where did you buy your traveller rig?

[Abby Normal]

Thanks for the link to Harken Store, I'm impressed with the computer calculator for various items.

Unfortunately, I don't have near the space at the point where you mounted your traveller. The keel winch is bolted through, then there's maybe a couple of inches before the bulkhead drops off to the cockpit sole.

From a stress standpoint, with the keel all the way down, all load is at the keel bolt and stop in the keel trunk. The issue would be adequate room to mount it there. I'm so friggin' clumsy that I would have bruises all over my shins if I mount it across the cockpit seats. The M-25 has a lazarette on the starboard side as part of the seat, it's not at the rear like yours.

So a 25 owner has some real challenges, atop the companionway sliding hatch isn't a possibility as I like to raise the pop top. This is looking more like I would have to construct stanchions toward the rear of the cockpit, high enough to clear the tiller, then put the track on that. Looking more into it, I'm just not sure it's possible to add a traveller to a 25 without it being in the way or disabling some feature/function of the boat.

I sure would love to hear from another M25 owner to see if they have managed to add a traveller.

[ricklee_v17]

Just so I am clear, what are the consequences of a daggerboard making contact with the bottom? Does the boat reach enough speed and momentum to snap the daggerboard or worse, damage the boat? Or is it more of an inconvenience?

Thanks,

Rick

[kevperro]

I visited a 26S this weekend. Fanstatic looking boat but you need to take yoga classes to use the head though.

I wouldn't worry about a dagger board. If you hit bottom rocks hard it will break. It is replaceable and the dagger board is designed to die before damage to the hull. The S has the center board which is more likely to kick up with only minor damage but you can damage a center board also, just not as likely as the dagger board.

Keep in mind that if you ground any keel boat you have the potential to be stuck & cause damage. You should always know where your sailing and the depths anyway and use the DF. In a river where sandbars are constantly shifting the 26S might be a better choice. If your sailing in lakes or oceans I'd not hesitate to get the 26D.