MacGregorSailors.com

Hi there, first time poster, long time lurker here. I've decided I want a Mac26, just haven't determined whether it's going to be an X or M. Is there a sticky or "living thread" of some of the fundamental differences that have taken place over the years? Like when the head moved from the aft to the center? Did all galleys slide back and forth or just the Ms?

Things like that may seem insignificant to someone but actually may be important in the decision making to someone else. Just wondering if there's a collection somewhere.

I appreciate the collection of knowledge displayed here in the threads alone!

Oh, man, this has been discussed about a billion times on here, but I don't think anyone's gone to the trouble of detailing all the differences for all the models and years of X and M boats. The difference isn't as simple as X vs M... there are many changes along the way for both models and it's a muddy pond to sort through.

Here's a start...

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... 1667#41667

That was a very helpful link. The PO of my '98 X was a very handy DIY kind of guy. When I bought it in 2003, he tried to tell me the upgrades he made to the boat to make it like the newer X's. This gives me a good checklist to see how much he did do to modernize the boat. I have enjoyed the upgrades, but never quite knew the extent of it. Thanks.

kmclemore wrote:Oh, man, this has been discussed about a billion times on here, but I don't think anyone's gone to the trouble of detailing all the differences for all the models and years of X and M boats. The difference isn't as simple as X vs M... there are many changes along the way for both models and it's a muddy pond to sort through.

Yeah, that's what I assumed (both that it'd been asked a bunch by newbies such as myself and that it wasn't quite as simple as and )

That link is very helpful.

Not to mention the vast distinction between white hull/blue hull/black hull

kmclemore wrote:Oh, man, this has been discussed about a billion times on here, but I don't think anyone's gone to the trouble of detailing all the differences for all the models and years of X and M boats. The difference isn't as simple as X vs M... there are many changes along the way for both models and it's a muddy pond to sort through.

Here's a start...

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... 1667#41667

I did not see this in the previous link

S's are pretty cool, with the swing-up centerboard (very forgiving)

D's are wicked fast with the fixed daggerboard (not so forgiving)

X's have a bigger cockpit, head (and head location), a swing-up keel (very forgiving) have a 5% V in the hull for faster planing.

M's have a bigger cabin, rotating mast, a daggerboard (not forgiving) 15% V in the hull for better sailing.

taylormade wrote:Hi there, first time poster, long time lurker here. I've decided I want a Mac26, just haven't determined whether it's going to be an X or M. Is there a sticky or "living thread" of some of the fundamental differences that have taken place over the years? Like when the head moved from the aft to the center? Did all galleys slide back and forth or just the Ms?

Things like that may seem insignificant to someone but actually may be important in the decision making to someone else. Just wondering if there's a collection somewhere.

I appreciate the collection of knowledge displayed here in the threads alone!

dlandersson wrote:I did not see this in the previous link

S's are pretty cool, with the swing-up centerboard (very forgiving)

D's are wicked fast with the fixed daggerboard (not so forgiving)

X's have a bigger cockpit, head (and head location), a swing-up keel (very forgiving) have a 5% V in the hull for faster planing.

M's have a bigger cabin, rotating mast, a daggerboard (not forgiving) 15% V in the hull for better sailing.

'Appreciate the feedback! So in my research (and feel free to correct me should I be wrong):

The X introduced the twin rudders along with the transom designed to hold a larger engine. Presumably that was the same time they went to steering wheels from tiller handles?
Prior to 1990 it was the D(aggerboard)
1990 introduced the S(wing Keel)
03/04 Versions of the M have different interiors than 05 and up (but I'm not exactly sure what makes them different)

I'll offer an abbreviated listing of what is most likely contained in the longer posts (I did scan them prior to posting this). And I can only speak to X's.

Post 99 X's had improved steering (brackets, etc), Ballast vent moved from under stairs to vee berth area.
Lot of pre 99s still going strong. All X's are rated for no more than 50HP, though others have gone larger.
All X trailers (IMHO) suck. Not sure they improved any with M's.

M's will sail better than X's according to literature/opinions.

Cockpit space is larger in an X; Cabin space probably larger in an M.

For us in choosing, an M has one more step up/down to enter the cabin. More freeboard on an M. We didn't like the interior configuration of the M, but that's totally subjective.

For full disclosure, we're selling our 2002 X as we now have a newer Compac Eclipse.

Ron

captronr wrote:Post 99 X's had improved steering (brackets, etc), Ballast vent moved from under stairs to vee berth area.

My '99 has those improvements, so I would guess they were made some time during that run.

Tomfoolery,

Sorry, my choice of words was inappropriate. Should have said changes were 99 and later.

I believe all the 99's had the upgrades.

Thanks for clarifying.
Ron