Advice on buying a 26x

[Bilgemaster]

The model year is built into the HIN, isn't it? Last two digits, with actual month and year of manufacture being the two (letter and number) immediately preceding?

Sounds about right. Here's the lowdown from http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/hin.html:

A HIN looks like this:

ABC12345L495

So, what does it all mean? The ABC is the MIC [Manufacturers Identification Code].

The next five characters can be anything you want to assign. It can be 12345, or 00001, or 0000A, or 32001. Whatever you want to put in there except: O, I or Q. These characters look too much like zeros or ones. Some manufacturers use a sort of code in this area. For instance, if they build a 30 footer and this is the first one then they would use 30001. Others just assign consecutive numbers, 00001, 00002, 00003, etc.

The ninth character identifies the month when the boat was certified (or built, I will explain this later) as shown in the chart below. So if it's built in May the ninth character would be an E.

It works like this:
A: January G: July
B: February H: August
C: March I: September (yes it's an I, but it's ok)
D: April J: October
E: May K: November
F: June L: December

The tenth character is last digit of the year when the boat was certified (or built), for example if the year is 1997, then the tenth character would be a 7, or if it is the year 2000, it would be a zero.

[Ponaldpe]

The model year is built into the HIN, isn't it? Last two digits, with actual month and year of manufacture being the two (letter and number) immediately preceding?

The ninth character identifies the month when the boat was certified (or built, I will explain this later) as shown in the chart below. So if it's built in May the ninth character would be an E.

It works like this:
A: January G: July
B: February H: August
C: March I: September (yes it's an I, but it's ok)
D: April J: October
E: May K: November
F: June L: December

The tenth character is last digit of the year when the boat was certified (or built), for example if the year is 1997, then the tenth character would be a 7, or if it is the year 2000, it would be a zero.

So my boat that was advertised as a 2004 26M is ninth character is "E" tenth character 3 , May of 2003 so my boat is 2003 26M.

[yukonbob]

So my boat that was advertised as a 2004 26M is ninth character is "E" tenth character 3 , May of 2003 so my boat is 2003 26M.

The hull was manufactured on that date, but was not necessarily commissioned or outfitted until later. Just like a 2017 car or truck inst necessarily built in 2017.

[Tomfoolery]

For the record, mine ends with . . . H899. August '98 manufacturing date, but '99 model year.

So it's an early '99, which explains why some of the things that changed with the '99 model are actually consistent with the '98 model. Like the ballast vent under the vee-berth, but with the hollow step and stern berth bump-out at the companionway instead of the ladder, where earlier boats had the vent. It's just smooth under the step. But it is a step, not a ladder like most '99 models and up have, and that bump-out gets in the way even with the step removed (I store the registration there, in a waterproof box ).

My title says it's a '99. FWIW.

[Ponaldpe]

Ok I had to go and dig out the Title it is titled as 2003. I do not remember ever checking the PO title was issued on 1/28/04 , that I remember seeing and that is what the PO said 2004 26M. I did check the HIN whit the title and on the boat just like on a motor vehicle they and owners name match.

[EdWeitzel]

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this post. I read, studied, and reread all the posts. I even lined up someone in my area to help me evaluate the various criteria supplied here. Unfortunately, the boat was sold this past weekend before I could meet with my local expert to look at the boat with me. Once again, many thanks to all for the advice everyone was kind enough to offer.

Since I won't be an owner, at least for now; does anyone know of a Mac 26 C, X, or M available for rent in the Chesapeake Bay area, or even Delaware Bay or Outer Banks areas.

Again Thanks,

Ed Weitzel

[Gazmn]

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this post. I read, studied, and reread all the posts. I even lined up someone in my area to help me evaluate the various criteria supplied here. Unfortunately, the boat was sold this past weekend before I could meet with my local expert to look at the boat with me. Once again, many thanks to all for the advice everyone was kind enough to offer.

Since I won't be an owner, at least for now; does anyone know of a Mac 26 C, X, or M available for rent in the Chesapeake Bay area, or even Delaware Bay or Outer Banks areas.

Again Thanks,

Ed Weitzel

Don't worry bro. More will be available in the thaw. Maybe we have a local Mac bro who can hook up with u as crew. - You're still in the Clan
Check this site's classifieds, Ebay, Craigslist & nearby marinas. Keep the faith & The Hunt...

[NiceAft]

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this post. I read, studied, and reread all the posts. I even lined up someone in my area to help me evaluate the various criteria supplied here. Unfortunately, the boat was sold this past weekend before I could meet with my local expert to look at the boat with me. Once again, many thanks to all for the advice everyone was kind enough to offer.

Since I won't be an owner, at least for now; does anyone know of a Mac 26 C, X, or M available for rent in the Chesapeake Bay area, or even Delaware Bay or Outer Banks areas.

Again Thanks,

Ed Weitzel

Ed,

You never stated where you actually live. There might be a board member nearby who might be able to offer some sailing time until you acquire a boat.

By the way, I bought my at the 2004 Annapolis Boat Show. It was delivered in Dec. 2004, but it is a 2005 model.

Ray

[EdWeitzel]

Hi Ray:

I live in the Baltimore, Maryland area. I have gone as far as the Outer Banks in North Carolina to rent a boat, although something in the Chesapeake Bay area would be much more convenient. I read online there was a marina or dealer who had 26M's available for rent, but I have not seen other places where Macs are available for rent.

Ed

[Bilgemaster]

If memory serves, last season there was a 26X for rent somewhere near DC on Boatbound.co. Sail pickings there are pretty thin there right now, but when it warms up again she might be back.

Whatever the case, although I am about an hour and a half south of you in Woodbridge, Virginia, you are more than welcome to come out with me after the daffodils peek out. Since it sounds like you probably have more sail experience than I do, so much the better. Weekends work fine, but come down on a weekday, and we'd likely have the Potomac more or less to ourselves. Just PM me with a phone number, and I'll get back to you. I usually check my PMs weekly.