MacGregorSailors.com

Hello everyone. I'm new to posting stuff to this site, however I've been trying to glean as much as possible from all the various discusions. This site is awesome. So much to learn, so little time. Thanks everyone for educating a newbie to Macgregors! I'm completly sold on the 26M, however money is a problem and I have some convincing to do with my significant other.
So I thought I should buy used and/or smaller and see how it goes. I live on the northern prairies, so there is not a lot of water, however I have some nice lakes and rivers within a couplke to three hours drive (I know I should sell and move however its a family and farm thing). The water here can be quite shallow, muddy and at times rocky. So I thought a swing keel might be the way to go. The 25 has a swing keel, however some things have been said that warn aginst it. Any thoughts? My next logical (if I can get a good bargain on it) is a 26S which I also believe is a swing keel. I believe the 25 is a weighted swing keel boat and the 26S is a water balasted swing keel boat. Am I right in that. Is there any reasons why I should not buy a 26S? Any things to look out for? Sorry for the long story and thanks in advance for any info.
Krusti

krusti...I owned a 92' Mac 26S prior to my Mac 26X. You wont be disappointed with the "S". Its a fine sail boat, and the swing keel and rudder are a plus, along with the built in floatation safety feature.

Only reason we sold the 26S was for more cabin space in the 26X, and the big engine (50 HP). The 26S sails a little better, and is easier to trailer in my opinion. We had an 8 HP Mercury that handled the boat well.

Happy Sailing...

Thanks for the reply Louis. Just out of curiosity what would a reasonably equiped 26S go for? I know it all depends on the equipment on board. But if you could find a basic one without all the bells and whistles. Would $7000 to $9000 be a reasonable price or is that too low?

Krusri

I too sailed a 26S. Wonderful boat. I think you can get a late model (I believe they stopped making them in '95) for the price range you suggested. Maybe more toward the $7000. Of course price also depends on condition and equipment. There are two goods sites for used sailboats:
sailingtexas.com, and trailersailer.com
I just saw a late model 26S on one of them for $6000...Check it out and good luck.

Check out the boat section of craigslist also. I think I saw one of those for a really good price awhile. Not sure they have a Moose Jaw area craigslist but it might be worth it to go to a larger city. I get the feeling some of the guys selling boats on craigslist need to unload their boats fast and you could come in with some cash and get a good deal.

Example from today (Disclaimer: I know nothing about these boats and whether it's a good deal)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/174257202.html

Here's a link to the 26S I alluded to in my earlier post:

Click Here

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the info.

Krusti

Krusti wrote: ... I believe the 25 is a weighted swing keel boat and the 26S is a water balasted swing keel boat.

You are correct. The Mac 25 is supposed to be the fastest under sail of all trailerable Macgregors, partially due to it's lower ballast - a swinging iron keel. The Mac 25 has been awarded a spot in the Sailboat Hall of Fame, quite a feather in Roger's cap.

And yes again, every model of the Mac 26 has been water-ballasted;
in chron order: 26D, 26S, 26X and now 26M. The 26D and 26S are pop-tops, frequently referred to as a combined group, the 26C - for Classic. The two more recent models (non-classics) offer standup headroom and planing hulls with 50hp motors - hence, less impressive sailing speeds.

Krusti, I sail out Ghost Lake, west of Calgary and Cochrane, towards Banff on Hwy 1A. Contact at the lake is Mike of Ghost Lake Recreations, a Mac dealer, often trade'ins on his newer boats.
See
http://www.ghostlakerecreations.com/ for a website. Not sure if it's current on the boats for sale or not.
Good luck. I've got a 26X but have sailed 26S and it does sail better.
Diefenbaker Lake calling you??

Thanks for the info guys. Ill get that boat yet!

Kenny I've actually visited Ghost lake, I saw my first 26M there. I'll maybe give him a call cause he sure looked like he had a lot of boats there.
Diefenbaker, LaRonge, Churchhill, tons of lakes up north, they are all calling! Hope I get to sailing them soon!