Pros & Cons - buying a 26X or M

[Terry]

6 in the cockpit of the M would be tight. I have yet to ever have more than 4 and 90+% of the time its just me and the wife.

6 in the cockpit!!
Well let me see, one at the helm, two on the Starboard and two on the Port and one more sitting on the traveller with the car up their....well just move it to one end, that's what I do cause I sit there a lot with my feet on the ladder, when motoring. My wife does not like me sitting along the sides, she claims she can feel me lopsiding the boat, besides sitting at the traveller gives me a great view/vantage point while motoring.(can one sit there on an X?) We have never had more than three aboard at a time.
Yes the M cockpit is smaller and I can reach my legs across to the leeward seat and easily brace myself during a heel, I cannot do this on an X, I tried and even with my long legs (6' tall) I cannot brace my feet on the leeward X seat. If cockpit size is an issue check both boats.

[eric3a]

..

[Divecoz]

6 in the cockpit of the M would be tight. I have yet to ever have more than 4 and 90+% of the time its just me and the wife.

6 in the cockpit!!
Well let me see, one at the helm, two on the Starboard and two on the Port and one more sitting on the traveller with the car up their....well just move it to one end, that's what I do cause I sit there a lot with my feet on the ladder, when motoring. My wife does not like me sitting along the sides, she claims she can feel me lopsiding the boat, besides sitting at the traveller gives me a great view/vantage point while motoring.(can one sit there on an X?) We have never had more than three aboard at a time.
Yes the M cockpit is smaller and I can reach my legs across to the leeward seat and easily brace myself during a heel, I cannot do this on an X, I tried and even with my long legs (6' tall) I cannot brace my feet on the leeward X seat. If cockpit size is an issue check both boats.

Dude the funniest post on this board to date is . . I bought the X as a fishing BOAT! Ranger and Bass Tracker Boats are as we speak BOTH gearing up an offensive, for a Bass Boat with a 300 HP outboard and a rotating mast!

[Retcoastie]

Gravydon,

Your original post indicates you want to know what a Mac 26 X or M offers. You did not say where you lived or how you intended to use you new boat. I have a 2002 26 X.

I had her in Lake Okeechobee last year. We put in at Roland Martin's in Clewiston and went to Indiantown. We went around the rim canal. When we got to the St Lucie Lock the lockmaster was telling west bound boats the rim canal was impassable. The went back across the middle of the lake. No problems either time. I also read they are going to lower the lake level further to six feet. Only shallow draft vessels will be able to traverse the lake then.

We had her in the St James River and I became confused going into a creek to anchor for the night by the private PVC channel markers. I ended up missing the channel and going aground. We have a small battery operated air pump we use to blow up an air mattress. I stuck that in the water ballast vent hole and blew the ballast out, raising the boat about three inches and floating free in less than fifteen minutes. I didn't even get my feet wet.

We drug anchor one morning off Fleming Key near Key West in about 35 kts of wind. As I was having coffee, a mangrove tree came by my window.. A mad dash to the cockpit and we were going aground quickly. Fired up that 50HP Honda, tilted so only the prop was in the water, and that was enough to get us off safely.

Next night, we anchored off Boca Grande in the same high winds. Unfortunately, the incoming tide was about directly on the starboard beam. We bobbed and danced and did not get a lot of sleep. Next to us was another boat that was calm as pie. I asked them the next morning what they had and I have forgot the details except that they weighed 24,000 lbs.

The next night I was going to get some sleep so we pulled up behind Archer Key and anchored in what would have been about nine inches of water at low tide. We sleep like at home. If we went aground at low tide the flat bottom of the X kept her level and steady.

We went to Biscayne Bay, to Boca Chita Key, and met a couple with a Catalina 30. When we left the seawall they were aground on Featherbed Shoal. I circled them and asked if they wanted me to try to pull them off. They said, “No, high tide would be in a couple hours and they would be free by then.” Went across the shoal and on to University Dock, anchored, had supper, and were ready for bed before they came by.

We went to the 10,000 islands below Marco Island and enjoyed Picnic Key and Panther Key. We would back right up to the bank, with an anchor out, step off the boarding ladder in calf deep water, and spend delightful evenings on shore with a nice fire and good company. One day we were out about five miles and the wind just died. The temp was mid eighties. The wife began to get sick from the heat and the glare. Sails down, 50 HP down, and we were back on that shore in half an hour.

We went to Charlotte Harbor and sailed around Gasparilla Island to San Pablo State Park. Again we anchored in a foot of water and enjoyed the jumpingest fish I ever saw. Coming back was also the fastest I have sailed her. She indicated 7.2 Kts on the GPS.

We also used her as a "travel trailer" for shore stays at Trumbo Point RV Park in Key West, at Collier-Seminole State Park, at Estero State Park, and at the Everglades Bluegrass Festival in North Miami. She may have looked "different" and "cheap" among those motorhomes and 5th wheel campers, but she "got-r-done".

All this being said, shows I did some dumb things. But, I did all these my first year with the X in about six weeks last winter. Adventures! We had 'em. Fun! We had it. Troubles, not many, and none we needed help with. And yes, I then pulled my granddaughter and some of her friends on a big tube thing in Lake St. Clair, Michigan.

The point is, the Mac is a very versatile beginner boat. She is strong enough for anything you will do as new sailor. You can have a blast with your kids doing a range of things no other boat will allow you to do. When you're ready to circumnavigate, get another boat.

A final thought for when you are out sailing around with you buddies in their keel boats. They are sailing circles around you and laughing, making fun of your “Clorox Bottle”. Now its time to strike sail and head for a marina. If there is only one slip left, who do you think will get it and who will anchor out?

Hope this helps.

Ken

[Divecoz]

Excellent Job KEN!!!!!

[DaveB]

Ken, good statement but only one thing I have to disagree on, First Time Buyer! I have done it all for past 30 yrs in Sailboats and until recently I would never considered a Mac.
Already my X has gone thru 20 knots of wind with lot more gusts out in the Gulf and very pleased with performance as a coastal cruiser.
I cruised all the area you mentioned and most areas in Mid FL to Keys and without a doubt the Mac X with 9-12 inch draft (latter loaded) can get you to so many places a keel boat or keel centerboard boat can't go.
For me it's about Gunkholeing in places hard to get at and resonable sailing speed, the 50 hp is great when going against a 2+ knot current with a 20 knot wind in a narrow passage (Intercoastal Waterway).
The Mac does this very well even with a well experanced Sailer.
Bear in mind for others, this is a Coastal boat, and not intended for off shore passages (Blue Water Cruiseing) without major upgrades and even than I doubt it.
My experance is the boat will substain serious problems in winds over 30 Knots, chain plates,week spreaders and mast,fiberglass layup,ballest,sails blown out,on and on, so Coastal Cruiser with a exception the Bahamas if your rigged right and seasoned sailor.
Dave

[BKAFER1]

lets see. You want a sail boat the mac isn't a sail boat
you want a power boat a mac isn't a power boat.
You can't make up your mind? Then the Mac is for you.
Power boats are faster and more room
sail boats are faster and more stable
The mac does BOTH and does them pretty good all things considered.

So Now an X or a M The X has a board that the pins break and create problems
The M has a dagger board with no pins to break.

The X pounds in rough water
The M is a bit better ride as its suppose to have a deeper vee.

The X seems a bit easier to make changes in the cabin and to add goodies.
The M is a bit harder to make changes.

The M has more Ballast with a few hundred pounds of lead added .
The x has a bit more weather helm making it hard to steer.

The x is slower than he M
The M has the rotating mast makes the boat a bit faster
The M has a taller mast.

The X mast is a bit easier to raise ( so I'm told)

The M is suppose to ride the trailer a bit beter and not slide as much.
The X you need to put the boat on the trailer pull it out then do the sudden stop to get the boat to slide 2 inches forward on the trailer.

So it goes on and on, each boat has its good and bad points.
If I went out today to buy one, I'd buy the M

[Captain Steve]

Divecoz..the smaller hatch allowed for a bigger rear berth area. Its a trade off. If the rear berth isnt used you traded the smaller cockpit for the ease of use of an area you may not use. It is a little trickier navigating up over the bench and down the ladder.

The seats in the cockpit may hold six posteriors but try putting 6 sets of feet onto the floor.

[Gravydon]

Hello, I want thank all of you for the replys it is helping me alot. I live on the columbia river just north of porland OR, i have a power boat but with the price of gas i thinking its time to get a sail boat lol i allways wanted to sail sence i was 14/15 got married and had kids and my dreams went out the window forgot what i wanted untill now, its time for me, got to have fun in the sun.. and i want to sail the puget sound up around the islands and maybe to victoria canada and i do like fishing and crabbing and all the good stuff......... thankyou everybody it is helping

[Québec 1]

No..... don't stop now
It's just so much fun to watch X's Bash M's and M's pass X's

So Highlander....what do you want for your

[Divecoz]

Divecoz..the smaller hatch allowed for a bigger rear berth area. Its a trade off. If the rear berth isnt used you traded the smaller cockpit for the ease of use of an area you may not use. It is a little trickier navigating up over the bench and down the ladder.

The seats in the cockpit may hold six posteriors but try putting 6 sets of feet onto the floor.

The Rear berth is the best place to sleep on these and similar sized boats even on many larger boats. Why would anyone not choose the rear berth for sleeping? IF someone is still having difficulty access this new and larger aft berth, allow me to suggest they consider investing $19.95 a month at Cardinal Fitness
But if it only required reducing the hatch width a couple inches to make it a better place to sleep, I am glad they did it , so I am not stuck with bulding and adding a plywood shelf to my boat so I can sleep up front in the V berth. I don't sleep in a V berth at home and I enjoy not having to on my boat. BTW the extra foot room is nice. V berths are typically used for storage....
The Bench? Just how tall and wide do think this seating area is ? Well its not wide enough that you'll be having trouble with vagrants choosing it as a place to take a nap or read a book.
I have yet to see anyone on my boat over the age of 8 sit there. Why would you want to face the back of the boat? Do you really think that is the designed purpose for that area?
6 people in the cockpit ? I said it would be tight, tight it would be a PITA. How much room on the floor for 12 feet NONE! So tell us just how often have you had 6 people jammed into your cockpit and please post pictures. Its just not a practical place to sit 6 people even on the X. If you really want to entertain in the cockpit Get a bigger boat. There are limits to these boats.
So we all admit the Cockpit size of the M is smaller than the X but Your not talking extra feet or meters your talking inches ! The Hatch has also been raised so there is more head room in the now usable M aft berth. If your finding it tricky to get in and out of the cabin on the M? Your probably finding a lot of things in life to be physically tricky But hey, there is a LOT less chance of water ingress to the cabin through this new designed hatchway. But I sure hope that was not the reason they raised the Hatch !

[K9Kampers]

Divecoz asks:

Why would anyone not choose the rear berth for sleeping?

The first Mac the wife & I boarded was an M, and we both thought the aft berth was a desirable & inviting place to sleep. However, with our X, we feel that despite the foot room issue, the forward V is more convenient. As I singlehand a lot, I prefer sleeping in the V-berth for the advantage of stargazing, ventilation, and instant 'enviroment assessment' thru the fore hatch.

I like the function of aft-storage as stuff I don't need all the time is out of the way & secure, yet accessible. Besides, with fore-storage, I'd hate to risk my M-passing performance by being bow heavy!

[Captain Steve]

Divecoz, its margarita time!!!

[KayakDan]

f . Besides, with fore-storage, I'd hate to risk my M-passing performance by being bow heavy!

Hmmm....as I recall,the only time you passed this M was when I snagged a lobster pot!!

[School House Steve]

Gravydon,
I sail my 26 M on the Coumbia River. I usually put in at Wallua and have gone down stream as far as Arlinginton and upstream halfway up the Snake river. Some day I want to get to Astoria or up to Lewiston and Clarkston. Last summer I locked through Ice Harbor Dam, what an experience! Imagine the worlds largest elevator lifting your boat 100 feet. I plan to try more lockages at McNary or John Day dams. Also planning a trip up the wild part of the Columbia north of Richland against a 5 mph current to Hanford, only possible in this type of sail boat. Maybe a trip to Vantage and beach the boat across the river from from the Gorge ampatheater during Oz Fest. I want to trailer to Coeur d'lene lake or Lake Pend Oreille. If I can swing a week, on to the San Juans. Also, I've been to Lake Roosevelt twice, (250 miles of shore line). Once, I got down to to Newport Bay and almost made it out to the Pacific but the fog was coming in so just stayed in the bay. I'm sure you know where all these places are and all are accessible with this type of boat and a Ford F-350.