Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 22 by Aaron Govatos

Year built	1984
Location of boat	NJ
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	less than 10 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1997
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I would probably have bought a MacGregor 25. My 22 is a nice example, but a 22' boat is a tad too small to spend the weekend on. My wife and I have looked at the 26, and we'll probably buy one. I kinda wish I bought the 25 to begin with. 25's seem to bring no more money then 22's. I will say however, that the 22 is loads of fun to sail, and easy to handle. This was my first real sailboat, and it was easy to own. Trailering is easy, as is launching and rasing the mast.
Gear that's been added	9.9 electric start outboard (so wife can start it)hanging sail bag for jibbetter 4 bolt cleatsVHFStereoLoads of small odds and endsShore power A/C & heat (carryon)
Structural or complex improvements	The ralings were not braced on my boat. I braced themI have replaced cable for keel, and rebuilt winchI had standing rigging upgraded when I bent mast (I hit a marker)
The boat's best features	The weight makes it a good beginner boat. East to deal with on trailer and dockingswing keel also makes it hard to get stuck
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Railings and cleats were not properly braced, causing spidercracks. standing rigging is kinda cheap( I replaced mine with better quality stuffswing keel makes noise under speed, but I guess thats normal.tiller/rudder flexes too much, and can hit prop from outboard
Sailing characterisitcs	I am no real sailor. I but the sheets up and have fun. The macgregor 22 is a fun boat
Motoring characterisitcs	I had an old 6hp johnson on the boat. It could move it okay, but you never were going fast enough to get away from its exhaust. It wasn't super reliable either. I upgraded to a 9.9 evenrude. It has the sailboat prop and long shaft. It also has through prop exhaust(you never smell it), electric start, and a charging system.This motor is perfect, it moves the boat at 8+knots, and is very easy to operate. It also keeps the battery charged while underway. I love it, but it seems to break alot. I have had 2 prop shaft seals go bad, and no it has a cooling system obstruction. It was allways maintained by dealer. My next motor will definately be japanese.
Liveability	for a 22, this boat is good. My wife and I have had some good times on it. As said earlier, the 25 is a lot better. The portapottie is hard to use due to headroom, the large bunk is uncomfortable due to built in pop out table. The boats alot better with the pop-top up.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	I never did
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	private seller
Other comments	Good boat, great value. I will seriously consider the 26 next

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