Is the 26X/M right for me?

[RandyMoon]

I need to save this remark because I have typed it in numerous times for similar inquiries.

I am 1 year into sailing with a M. If training wheels/floats were available, I would be using them. There are sailors in my sailing club with X models who can sail circles around me with just their jib.

Both the X and the M are excellent boats and both have design advantages. I like the interior of the X better and like the rigging and hull design of the M better.

4 people in the cockpit are max for either model. 4 people in the under deck are max. Saying the Mac will sleep 6 is somewhat of a joke unless your family suffers from growth hormone problems.

I like my Mac and think it covers all my current requirements. I would recommend one to my friends wanting to get out and sail with the option of traveling to different locations, and be able to go fast when needed.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

When customers ask "How many will it sleep?", I tell them it will sleep eighteen.
The first six get up and the next six go to bed.
When they get up, the other six go to bed.
That's my second favorite question.
My favorite question is "How fast will it go?". I tell them 75 miles an hour.
That's about what I averaged while on the road, down to Key West, in less than 48 hours, by myself.

[Frank C]

... but his X vs M comparison is extremely biased to the point of being dismissable and only serves to denigrate his credibility, in all fairness he should stop it as it only amounts to a form of Mac bashing.

Absolutely disagree, Terry.
Moe's comments are not bashing, they are all "substantiated opinions". The distinctions between the two interiors are objective and valid (substantiated).

The judgments applied to those distinctions are personal assessments for each potential owner to evaluate. That's not to say they apply universally. They are conclusions that Moe arrives at when comparing the distinctions ... I happen to agree with Moe.

But everyone is free make their own unique assessment of the obvious distinctions ...
which makes your criticism of Moe's opinion invalid, IMO.

... Take a look at both models, 2 versions for the M interior layout and decide for yourself (and ignore the negative remarks people have to say about one boat or the other. ... don't all web-forum visitors arrive with this in mind?) The MacGregor is a fine boat, very versatile.

And I absolutely agree with you on these 3 points.
In fact, that's where my advice started ... trip up to Mayo and look at all of them for oneself. It still does not invalidate Moe's website. An implicit caveat rests (unwritten) at the top of every website:
Readers beware - subjects are subjective.

[Chip Hindes]

Actually, read and understand the negative comments as well as the positive. Most of the people on this site are owners, incredibly opinionated, like their particular version more than the others are able to (and have) expounded endlessly on the positives of their model. They also have quite a serious tendency to ignore the negatives, and some can be incredibly and unreasonably sensitive to criticism of their boat's shortcomings.

This attitude does not serve a potential buyer particularly well. Everybody has their own particular set of biases. But if you ignore all negative comments I believe you're quite likely to be disappointed in any boat you choose.

I own an X, and I'm quite happy with it, but it's far from perfect. Likewise with the M, any of the several designs which is out now. But both (all four?) boats have faults, or perhaps you might prefer to call them compromises. Some things one boat does better than the others. IMO anyone that thinks any of these boats is perfect isn't paying close enough attention.

I, for instance, want the X's more spacious cockpit and the M's more usable aft berth. I want the added performance of the M's daggerboard with the X centerboard's ability to kick up when I hit something. I want the M's partially fixed ballast but the X's lighter tow weight so I can tow it with a Taurus. I want the low maintenance of the X all plastic interior with the less antiseptic look and warmth of the M's carpet. OK, scratch the Taurus part. But you get the idea.

Learn about each boat's faults as well as its assets, look at examples of each, and decide which of the former you can live with and which of the latter you really like, which compromises you're swilling to make and which you aren't. Then decide with your eyes wide open.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I havent found anything to discredit my Mac X. Its size is ideal for us (2) overnighting. And its fun trailering to other sites beyond our Marina in Kemah, Texas. When the kids or friends want to pull their big travel trailers to State Park sites...camping, fishing, and water fun...WE're right there with nice accomodations on the water, or hooked up in the trailer site with elect. on the boat. Nice combination, right ??
or the < its all about versatility folks. I think many sailors miss this about the MacGregor and make the mistake of having a big ole weighted keel, one site boat, and often less interior comfort.

, The Holub Boat.

[Paul S]

In deciding betwen the X+M, eventually it will hit you which is for you.

I actually wanted an X in the beginning..was concerned with the change..to me..what sold me was the open interior of the 03/4...LOVED the aft berth compared to the X...Loved the cockpit (easy to brace when heeling)...but that comes at a cost (no fixed table, limited forward view, etc)..this was my initial impression. The only significant disappointment to me is the very poor steering setup...ESPECIALLY with the motor attached.

Each person will figure out what fits their needs..

When i saw the first blue hull I was sold...It just looked like a boat 4-5x more expensive than it was...But coming from a blue powerboat...I knew it would have issues with scratches..I just didnt think that it would be as sensitive as it is to scratches...It is a lot worse than our powerboat in the scratch department for some reason.

But I think whatever boat someone buys..will learn to live with any limitation or advantage that particular model provides..

As it was mentioned before...some 'limitations' are other's 'advantage'. Like the head on the M...I like the location..it is out of the way. It is cramped..but it IS usable. On the 03/4 there is a removable head shelf..which is not removable in the 05/6..on the 03/4 you can use a larger (5.x gallon) head instead of the smaller one.

Paul

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

..by the way...I failed to mention, the size of the boat doesnt determine the amount of fun...I was racing two teens on a Sunfish recently...and we all had FUN on both boats ! (me especially...the MacX was faster).

< nice boat, and so is the >

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Didn't the Beatles have a song about the head on the 26X?
"I can't get you out of my head", or something like that.
Or, was it on the 26M?
Maybe it was Elvis.

[maddmike]

In his great wisdom the lead designer said "--and let there be two models", i.e., 2 boats & 2 colors so that we the consuming masses will have something to pester ourselves with during those dark and lonely times we are not actually out sailing. MM

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

BILL at BOATs 4 SAIL....
<<< nice head accomodations...window, sink, door, lock, shelf,