Would you buy a used Macgregor without a test sail first?

[heysteveh]

In relation to an earlier post, I am planning on buying a '93 Macgregor 26s next weekend and may not be able to test sail the boat. I am a first time buyer, but have studied different info. on the web as far as what to look for when inspecting the boat. Is a test sail absolutely necessary? Although I do not know the owner, all contact so far indicates that he is trustworthy.

Steve

[Ric K]

Heysteveh:

Check my post under powersailor discussion!

BUENA SUERTE !
Ric K

[Nevadacitybob]

Bought my '84 Mac 25 off a consignment lot two years ago. Put new brakes and tires on the trailer and engine on the boat and would do it all again in a second.

[James V]

heysteveh - It would depend on what you are going to use the boat for.
If you want what the Mac offers, A great weekender that sails and motors. Then a test sail would not be needed.

HOWEVER you must inspect the boat carefully, get a boat survey from on line and go through it. Open everything and look carefully for cracks and fixes ect.... Make sure that you have a good title and the boat is not stolen. It will not be perfect and expect to replace a few thing and a few repairs and some cleaning.

I have sailed many different boats and did not take a test sail on a before I bought mine new. I knew what I wanted and could see what the boat could do or not do and was willing to accept what it would be able to do. No boat is perfect for everything.

[Lovekamp]

I'm probably not too picky, but I haven't test sailed any of the boats I've owned: Catalina 22, Hunter 170 and MacGregor 26X. I did sail on a 26X before I bought one, but I didn't sail the one I bought! I have been pretty happy with all of them.

[USAF M26X sailor]

I've wanted a Mac for 6 years, even toured the factory. Like most Mac fanatics I had a real good idea what to look for thanks to Heath and this website. The Admiral saw an opportunity so I bought mine off EBay. Need 4x4 and a shovel to get it out of a snow bank when it was 18 degrees one early Feb in Upstate NY. I admit I took advantage of the PO. He was in the middle of a divorce and wanted out from under the loan and he didn't think he could sell her in the middle of a NY winter.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Steve...I bought my prev. boat, a 1992 26-S, and my present boat, a 26-X, without sailing either one first. But I gave both boats a good look over. I had to repair the swing keel on the "S" after the purchase, which the former owner didnt know was damaged. But, it was no problem.
In my opinion, if the owner is "honest", and the boat & equipt. look and sound okay...I think the risks are very low.

The 26-S is a fine boat. We had an 8 HP Merc. which handled the boat well.

[technicalman]

I bought a MAC 17 off of Ebay without sailing it first. It turned out to be a great deal for me.

I don't recommend this way of buying for everyone or all situations. There was one old MAC that I looked at that was advertised as being in great condition with pristine hull. When I got there, I could see bad fiberglass patches in the bottom of the hull with a trailer that was a wreck.

The test sail would be nice, but sellers may not want to launch their boat everytime someone shows an interest in buying it. That can be a lot of work.

Bottom line is be careful and do your homework.

[heysteveh]

Since I first posted this in April, I went ahead and purchased the boat. Everything worked out... great boat, great condition, love sailing it so far, it is my first boat. My wife loves it too!