MacGregorSailors.com

I too have owned many boats of all colors--the one prior to my was a Capri 25 which was fast, unforgiving, had a miserabale cabin and a 6HP kicker. My wife ( not to be called an Admiral, too condensending for her) announced she had made her last sail unless I found a more comfortable, friendly boat. Since I had prior experience I decided to take her to our local Mac dealer for a look see.

She sat in the boat and said, "this might work". She did have a few things to say like "where is the traveller?" , "what kind or furler are you going to use?" and "how fast can this thing go?" Recently she asked me to put tandem axles on the trailer.

Our typical 3-4 day outing always includes at least one motor day where we crank up the E-tek and burn 3-4 gallons exploring especially with 3 grand kids on board as everone gets a chance to be captain-even the 5 year old. Fishing is alot more fun when you can get to the "good spots" at 16 knots. It's even more fun when you saddle up the rig and haul it 1,000 miles at 65 MPH to get to the really big ones.

The Mac is a good first boat but it can be sailed with gusto if you take the time to learn how. Upgrading sails and their controls, moding the interior and just plain tinkering makes this yacht a real practical hobby.

Bob

As a Mac21 owner I appreciate the sailing
and design qualities of any Macgregor sailboat.
One must consider various criteria in buying a sailboat
and its not exactly like buying a car, cabin in the woods ,
RV or houseboat.
Yet it can be way more fun, adventerous and plain
sensible that any of those above.
And it is. you just have to like the water and explorer
mindset.
Quite frankley, a Mac 26 Xor M is an excellent choice
even for an experienced sailor, because he or she will
concientiously be aware of the advantageous tradeoff
between marina/slip fees over having the boat in your
driveway for storage with your tools readily avail.
nearby in the garage.
Sacrifice a little sailing ability for that honking motor
on the back that could better your sailing day when
inclement weather rolls around , and you got it made.
Its beats the invoices received in the mail from the
marina any day, unless of course you got the required
cashola.
I would like a 26M with a good trailer, a 25 or 30hp
outboard for improved sailing, better fuel economy
and lighter weight plus rotating mast and genoa foresail
and that would pretty much satisfy myself and the better
half for comfort and all round sailing enjoyment.
And a daggerboard is better any day over a swing keel
unless that keel is lead ballasted. Daggerboard dinghies
sail better generally than swing centerboards I think
to be advantageous in a Mac design as well.
does any Mac26M owner out there have a smaller outboard
on there boat and what characteristics does your boat have?
with the smaller engine.
thanks
and sail on
everyone.

Markaram
M21
Toronto
Great Lakes