Can't make up my mind!!!!!!

[Gunkholer]

Hi!

I do primarily lake sailing with the family. (Wife and two kids) We hit all the big lakes from California to Utah. Looking to buy an or newer and cannot decide on which.

It’s a tough decision. I like the new hull design, bathroom location, sliding galley, the second row of windows, and rear berth room on the , but I like the cockpit space, price, Captain’s (Non)-chair, bathroom sink and storage on the .

What I really don’t like about the is the limited amount of cockpit area. If it wasn’t for this I think it would be the perfect boat. The is a bit larger right?

Do both offer rolling furlers and rotating masts?

Lets talk about this. I need some input to help make a decision here. Please help me decide which way to go as I’m just stuck here going round and round on this and its starting to get really frustrating! Anyone with an in SoCal I can take a look at?

TIA!

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

TIA --

We like our "X", and the cabin lay out. Our previous boat was a 1992 Mac 26-S, and it was an excellent sailing boat. It had an 8 HP Merc. However, the cabin space was simply too cramped for us.

Honestly, I think the "M" and "X" are fine boats, a great deal of fun with 50 (plus) HP. Try 'em out, more than one time...see which one you prefer.
And, I might add, I havent found an unhappy "M" or "X" owner in my area.
Ive heard some criticism about the "iron" rust prone factory issue single axle trailers. Ive heard that the New "M" offers an aluminum trailer.

Happy shopping !!!
Louis

[Québec 1]

Get a Blue 26M cause it looks so good!



Q1

[Compromise]

Oh Boy! This post is going to turn into a can of worms.......

To answer your question though, both the X and the M offer roller furling, the M comes with a rotating mast the X does not.

Overall, it boils down to personal preference.
I posed the question a while back if anyone would consider going from an X to an M.That can of worms is around here somewhere

My reason is we (Admiral and me) love the Mac in general, my wife loves the layout of the M. My industry dictates that I be geographically flexible! With that being said it's easier to trailer an M or an X to our new location.
My X is currently for sale and we may replace it with an M, if not (as long as I can find a trailer) we'll happily haul the X back to Florida. Yes, for those of you who remember, we are moving from Texas back to the sunshine state!!

Good luck with your purchase whichever one you choose, if you buy an X, apparently you can repaint the hull blue!

[NiceAft]

If you're that concerned about the space in the cockpit for the kids and you, then the X is the boat for you.

I have an M and love it. I have sailed on an X, and feel just as at home on it as my M, but the cockpit is roomier on the X. The salon (how's that for a description of below deck ) in the X is less elegant than the M, but that was a change (I believe) made to the M to expand the market for the boat. Oh brother! I'm probably going to pay for that last remark

Good luck.


Ray

[John McDonough]

How much money are you willing to spend..??

You can probably get a fully equipped older for about half price of a fully equipped

Do you want a Sailboat that has a 50hp motor cabability for high speed motoring or do you want a fast sailing Sailboat, ??

[baldbaby2000]

From what I've seen the M is a little faster under sail. I like the M mainsheet with the traveller system better than the sheeting on the X. Do the lakes you sail have shallow spots you might hit? It's easy to crunch the daggerboard on the M; the X board will kick up.

[WD]

I believe it's M's 2005 and after that have the rotating mast. Also i believe the M interior layout changes in 2005 > present.

Check it out. Cheers };~)

[Gunkholer]

All great posts guys! Thanks!

And no hard feelings to either boat owners, they are both great boats! Nothing to be ashamed or feel attacked about. Its all about whats logical for me.

The keel is a good point. I do cruise the shallows and the swinger is a better option for me. I only wish I could change it from behind the wheel. More room topside aft is a huge plus for me as I'm 6'2" and when I'm at the healm its like; legs everywhere!

Looking more like the so far. My wife likes the but she's starting to see the importance of having more room topside.

BTW, does anyone know if the healm has the option of getting rid of the big "boxy" glassed cover on either boat? Not sure if some came with the pole showing or if that is aftermarket. I'd like to find out about it because me likes.

Thanks for your honest inputs!

[bubba]

We have an 07 with stern rail seats and full biminy and connecting dodger and side curtains this gives plenty of room for a family in any season, It is great. as a 6 ft tall guy and my wife is 5'-10" and the M has more head room.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Looking more like the x so far. My wife likes the m

Hes buying an everyone, he just doesnt know it yet....

[2BonC]

..depends on the money he has !!!

[NiceAft]

If you're 6'2", you will not be able to stand in the galley area of either boat. Of course if the hatch is slid forward you can have your head stick out a little With your height, you may feel less cramped in the head of the X. The M's head is forward, and smaller.

Ray

[Loefflerh]

I had a 2000X bought in Aug1999 and sold it spring 2007, bought a new M beginning of '08 . Both very similar equipped, my M has the the 70hp suzuki installed on wedges (highly recommend that, it was 30$) versus the 50 mercury bigfoot and now I have the stern rail seats.(great!) Most of the time I am single handed 90% of the time, and I sail in the Gulf of Mexico with 150% Genoa and standard main.
My boat was and is sitting on a lift and to get to the gulf I have to navigate thru a shallow, narrow small canal and have to get underneath a bridge, before I can raise the mast.
My 2 cents: The M outperforms the x in slow speed maneuverabilty, sailing performance, easier to operate (mast raising) and the cockpit is more comfortable than the X. That big hump in the rear seat makes a big difference for me! Inside it is a bit more roomy, esp. the rear berth has much more headroom - I never used it in the X because I did not like those close quarters.
However, the X really has a much bigger cockpit area, and with 2 kids I recommend the X, althoug the M has plenty of space and would do to for 4-5 people....
No matter what you do, both are just great and you will have lots of fun.
Now just waiting who jumps on me first.......
Hans

[Kelly Hanson East]

(Full disclosure - I sell s)

Two adults plus two kids in the cockpit of an is fine.

Rays point about the head is valid, but honestly would you pick a boat for the head??? I think not, unless you were into really long term cruising plans (like months)

My favourite layout is the collector edition 2003-2004 in terms of salon (downstairs) space.

I have dined 6 people in the cockpit of my under an enclosure - that would be tough in an I think

I think the differences in performance of the boats are small -certainly a good sailor in either boat will beat an average sailor in either boat everytime. Im usually the guy in the latter boat, except in the Edgartown MA races, which I have won every year for 5 years straight - this year they retired me to give the blue hulls a chance.