I might finally be in a position to get a 26! :)

[robh2]

I have a few questions that I can't seem to find covered on here in the way that I am looking. I have dreamed of this SUV of boats for a long time!!! Finally in a position to possibly get one. So exciting.

This may be lengthy, so I do apologize. Again, please dont blast for questions I am asking that may have been covered, I am just not seeing what I am looking for and I hope I am asking in a way that is understood.

We recently moved to South Tampa and have a house, 3 sips of beer from the bay and it will be in the water for a year or two until we install a lift.

1. Has anyone tried one of the latest small marine AC units and do they fit in any of the compartments? Not interested in moving an AC around the boat.

2. Does anyone remember a post about someone making a Starboard case for a window unit on a 26X that looked really good? I cant find it and is it available for purchase by anyone? Again, not interested in moving an AC around.

3. Has anyone found a decent place to mount a small Honda 1000/2000 gen so it doesn't have to always be moved?

4. At cruising speed, how long will the 24 gallons typically last by time or distance with max HP?

5. Is anyone aware of transom issues when a larger engine is used? Any issues with insurance or Coast Guard over the larger engine?

6. Anyone with the larger engines documented with the Coast Guard instead of registered with the state?

7. What is the typical standing headroom under the bimini? Anyone alter the boom hight to get more standing headroom?

8. Anyone use a dodger and does it help much? Do you still have easy access to the deck? Have you attached it to the bimini? My bride is a redhead and needs all the protection she can get. She gets sunburns watching tv. lol...

9. With MacGregor gone and Tattoo seems to be gone or on hold based on their website, Where is everyone getting parts and such for modifications?

10. Any concerns between the X and M that made you want a specific one? My concerns between the two are differences in the centerboard, fixed ballast in the M, good or bad, interior layout with head locations and room inside, headroom between the two with two people onboard sharing the space, location of the main sheet on the helm on X vs. the companionway on the M, sailing characteristics between the two and ease of maintenance on the centerboard and other parts?

I think that is enough for now. lol... Thank you for your time and patience!!! Again, sorry for the many questions.

[Russ]

1. Has anyone tried one of the latest small marine AC units and do they fit in any of the compartments? Not interested in moving an AC around the boat.

That would be the most efficient. However requires water cooling. That's the way I'd go rather than trip over a window unit. And it just seems more professional. I bet it would fit in one of the compartments easily.
Lot's of threads
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/s ... onditioner
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... er#p304265
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... er#p302433

3. Has anyone found a decent place to mount a small Honda 1000/2000 gen so it doesn't have to always be moved?

Probably motor well, however it might prevent the motor from tilting up. There isn't much exterior storage on these boats. Someone will have comments here. I don't know.

4. At cruising speed, how long will the 24 gallons typically last by time or distance with max HP?

Cruising (6-7mph) I burn about 1.5 gal/hr with the Suzi70. I can't stand WOT noise.

5. Is anyone aware of transom issues when a larger engine is used? Any issues with insurance or Coast Guard over the larger engine?

Technically, my 70 is over sized for the boat. My insurance doesn't seem to care. Then again, they might if they knew it was oversized. Coast Guard doesn't care.
Lot's of big motors without problems. YOLO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eovBozRo5gg

6. Anyone with the larger engines documented with the Coast Guard instead of registered with the state?

I think the Mac is barely big enough to be documented. Some have. I don't see the need unless you are going into international waters with pirates.

7. What is the typical standing headroom under the bimini? Anyone alter the boom hight to get more standing headroom?

X or M? I can't really stand under mine (M). But I don't like to stand anyway. Coming into dock I can stand enough to see (5'9").

8. Anyone use a dodger and does it help much? Do you still have easy access to the deck? Have you attached it to the bimini? My bride is a redhead and needs all the protection she can get. She gets sunburns watching tv. lol...

I like it. Allows headroom while the cabin is closed up. I actually grab the side (mine is the smaller one) to stabilize walking on the deck.
It does provde some shade. Certainly in the cabin. I also added the clear "doors" so I can close up the cabin and have a big window.
I bought the connector to the bimini. It DOES get in the way and can't sail with it. Only use it in the rain.

9. With MacGregor gone and Tattoo seems to be gone or on hold based on their website, Where is everyone getting parts and such for modifications?

Official parts dealer. Great service.
http://www.bwyachts.com/
Most of this boat is built with off the shelf parts (eg: rigging etc.) Many of us have upgraded stock with better quality (eg. electrical).

10. Any concerns between the X and M that made you want a specific one? My concerns between the two are differences in the centerboard, fixed ballast in the M, good or bad, interior layout with head locations and room inside, headroom between the two with two people onboard sharing the space, location of the main sheet on the helm on X vs. the companionway on the M, sailing characteristics between the two and ease of maintenance on the centerboard and other parts?

If you sail in shallow water, I'd recommend the swing centerboard of the X vs the daggerboard. Grounding it will kick up vs. break off.
This can be as subjective as the blue vs white hull.

I thought I liked the layout of the M head, but it's TINY. I took off the stupid door and put a curtain up across the bulkhead. I've never been in an X head, but it seems taller. I've never heard of an X owner using the sink in the head. I thought it looked cool.
The slide galley, we never move it.
X has a wider transom. I prefer the traveler on the M vs mainsheet on the pedestal of the X.

Theoretically, the M (especially the rotating mast) sails better. Both sail like pigs so I don't think it really matters that much.
The fixed ballast of the M was a CYA move on MacGregor. I doubt it makes any substantial difference. It does make the boat more idiot proof when running without ballast.

Oh, it's been scientifically proven that the blue hull has less friction and is slightly faster. Just sayin'

[sailboatmike]

The amount of fuel used is dependent of the motor, loading on the boat, the speed and the prop pitch.

Most manufactures give a maximum usage, for example I think I would burn 31 liters or about 8 1/2 US gallons a hour at WOT.

Get it wrong (as I have learnt) and you can burn the best part of that well below WOT, you need to run at or below theoretical hull speed (around 6 1/2 knts) or above planing speed (around 14knts). Anything between and you just chew fuel digging a hole for the transom to sit in.

[dlandersson]

Almost right - the white hull has less friction than the blue hull. Jus' sayn'

Oh, it's been scientifically proven that the blue hull has less friction and is slightly faster. Just sayin'

[NiceAft]

robh2,

There are a heck of a lot of Mac 26 owners in Florida. See if you can contact one of the owners, and one of the owners to see for yourself what the differences are in the boats. We are a group of nice sailboat owners. There has got to be two owners nearby who will oblige.

I'm retired, so if you pay for my expenses, I will gladly tow my to Florida this winter for your perusal.

Ray

[Herschel]

I am up in Orlando; boat is in the water in Sanford. Feel free to get in touch by PM, I would be happy to show you my 1998 26X.

[Herschel]

After thought. My boat is not for sail, sorry for the wording on my previous post. I meant, if you want to see one of our boats and get a feel for it before you buy. I am keeping this baby forever. I love it.

[Herschel]

Not for sale, that is! Sails very sweetly , I might add! Feel like a dunce tonight.

[robh2]

Wow, you have all been so amazing. Thank you so much. The detailed answers and the offer to look at one were just too kind. I sincerely appreciate all of you!

Amazing group of people!

[Tomfoolery]

6. Anyone with the larger engines documented with the Coast Guard instead of registered with the state?

Documenting a boat is expensive. And I don't see the utility in it for knocking around US coastal or inland waters.

7. What is the typical standing headroom under the bimini? Anyone alter the boom hight to get more standing headroom?

I have the Dowsar bimini, and there's full well-over-6 ft standing headroom. I've never touched my head to the hoops.

8. Anyone use a dodger and does it help much? Do you still have easy access to the deck? Have you attached it to the bimini? My bride is a redhead and needs all the protection she can get. She gets sunburns watching tv. lol...

Also made by Dowsar, it's wide, and does make it more difficult to get to the deck, but I'm used to it. Nice for hiding from the rain with the sliding hatch open and companionway hatchboard removed. I also have a bridge section (aka 'connector') to attach the two of them. When docked, I just take a couple of turns of the topping lift around the boom to raise it to clear my head.

9. With MacGregor gone and Tattoo seems to be gone or on hold based on their website, Where is everyone getting parts and such for modifications?

BWY for almost everything specific to the Mac, but another vendor and advertiser here has supplied many Mac owners with new sails (JudyB).

10. Any concerns between the X and M that made you want a specific one? My concerns between the two are differences in the centerboard, fixed ballast in the M, good or bad, interior layout with head locations and room inside, headroom between the two with two people onboard sharing the space, location of the main sheet on the helm on X vs. the companionway on the M, sailing characteristics between the two and ease of maintenance on the centerboard and other parts?

Fixed ballast in the M plus water ballast totals around the same weight. I believe the fixed ballast is to counter the heavier and taller mast rotating mast when there is no water ballast, like when motoring at high speed. It's not something to give much thought to, IMO. A traveller would be nice on the X, but not a practical option, though a second mainsheet system to windward can help pull the boom closer to the centerline. Swing CB of the X is a piece of cake to drop and inspect or change the line on, while I believe you can simply lift the M CB right out of the trunk from above. Two people below decks is tight unless one is sitting. Headroom is tight, too, at least when not directly under the sliding hatch, but that's what you get with a small trailer boat - it's bigger inside than just about any other 26 ft or smaller sailboat. I sleep in the vee berth, and the admiral sleeps on the table (lowered to berth position) on an air mattress. Plenty of room that way.

I think that is enough for now. lol... Thank you for your time and patience!!! Again, sorry for the many questions.

[sailboatmike]

My X on the hard live between a 26 foot Austral 8 and a 25 foot Farr 7500, non of them have close to standing headroom, both a probably better sailors to windward.

I figure it this way, boats are always a compromise, one of the reasons they are better sailors to windward is because they are not so high, so have less windage, however I also figure that actual time sailing is way less than time spent at anchor and enjoying your destination, not being able to stand up in the cabin severely hampers that IMHO.

Something like can you imagine going on a camping trip in a station wagon instead of a camper van, sure the station wagon may get you there slightly quicker, but living, sleeping and cooking in the station wagon is going to be a real pain when you do get there

[NiceAft]

My X on the hard live between a 26 foot Austral 8 and a 25 foot Farr 7500, non of them have close to standing headroom, both a probably better sailors to windward.

I figure it this way, boats are always a compromise, one of the reasons they are better sailors to windward is because they are not so high, so have less windage, however I also figure that actual time sailing is way less than time spent at anchor and enjoying your destination, not being able to stand up in the cabin severely hampers that IMHO.

Something like can you imagine going on a camping trip in a station wagon instead of a camper van, sure the station wagon may get you there slightly quicker, but living, sleeping and cooking in the station wagon is going to be a real pain when you do get there

Very well said

Ray

[dlandersson]

Pizza's are always welcome

Wow, you have all been so amazing. Thank you so much. The detailed answers and the offer to look at one were just too kind. I sincerely appreciate all of you!

Amazing group of people!

[dlandersson]

So what'ill take?

After thought. My boat is not for sail, sorry for the wording on my previous post. I meant, if you want to see one of our boats and get a feel for it before you buy. I am keeping this baby forever. I love it.

[robh2]

Too funny. Why can't all of you be in Tampa and be my neighbors? lol...