Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 22 by Paul Lange

Year built	1980
Location of boat	Ft worth Tx
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1994
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Given the same circumstances yes I would have purchased the boat again. I had been in the market for a used Sailboat for about a year. Most of the boats I was looking at were way too pricey. This boat which was in far better condition (near perfect) as opposed to the larger boats I saw and were about four times as expensive all the while in much less condition. If I would have had the monies though I would have bought the newest 26 waterbalast version at the time.
Gear that's been added	She had lots of updates from the original owner which I realized were not on other Mac22's that I have seen yet such as, all halyards to cockpit, blocks and tackles as well as the internal wiring setup. I have added a tiller tamer, new keel winch. I have also fabricated a mast raising system that is almost exactly the same as the stock MacGregor mast raising system used on the new 26's. I also added a hinged mast step and use a quick flip stay adjuster on the forestay to help with attatching the forestay to the chainplate. I also added cockpit cushions and added a fan inside the cockpit, I also use a solar panel by day to help keep the battery charged up. Most other updates I have completed are on my custom trailer I have been working on in increments for about five years.
Structural or complex improvements	I did have to beef up the bow eye. It had started to pull through the original wood backing chocks from the inside of the bow. I installed a long stainless steel plate to help distribute the load and also cinched up the bow eye to the boat. I also made a complete round and tightened up every bolt and screw form top to bottom. Lots of them were just hand tight, but even so nothing was in danger for use as it was.
The boat's best features	This boat is small enough to pull with a small vehicle. I used to pull her to the lake with my old volvo 240DL. This is a four cylinder sedan. However I did rent a truck to launch and retrieve at the boat ramp. She is very easily towed and launched with my Isuzu Rodeo (6 cylinder). My wife and I camp quite a few times a year and as far as camping goes, it's camping alright. I can not think of camping on anything smaller, yet for us it's seems just right. I often single sail and love to do it. She sails very easy and at times with full sails up in 15 to 20 knots I can have her screaming keel cable humming and crusing at hull speed for hours under complete control. I have seen Larger boats under same conditions requiring a full crew and have trouble keeping up with me. I am almost certain that a larger boat would increase the hassel factor and would more than likely reduce my sail time do to the hardship of towing rigging and equipment upkeep. I like things simple and functional. For now in the way that I sail and camp this is a perfect match for me. If I had my wishes I would like to have the 26 waterbalast classic which is the same dry weight as the 22. But then I would need a larger house to store her at, a bigger motor, bigger sails and bigger equipment......
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Mo problems. But I am thinking about moving the sheeting from the end of the boom to the mid section and set up a block and tackle at the companionway entry in order to install and use a bimini. Sometimes the end boom sheeting gets in the way.
Sailing characterisitcs	She is very forgiving. She points well when the right sails are up for particular winds. She can easily be depowered in times of squall lines. I find it very easy as well to find her point of balance under any wind. (provided this is inland sailing under 30 knots of wind). She is not particularly slow but definately not the fastest boat on the lake. I feel comfortable with myself and three non-sailors on board in almost any cirmstance under steady 25knot winds with her (motor comes down if winds are gusting over 20 though).
Motoring characterisitcs	I have an '85 evinrude six. It moves her quite easily forwards and in reverse. It seems to be a good set up for this boat.
Liveability	For my wife and I it just right. Although we have never camped more than the overnighter. We mostly sail at night, launch on a Friday afternoon and sail and camp on the lake that night, sail the next day and haul out that evening. I always have the boat ready to go from the trailer at the house in that all we have to do is pack our fresh bedding and drinks, throw in the portable stereo and twelve volt T.V. and go. The only thing I get concerned about is the possibility of gas fumes from the gas tank. When first filled up the fumes can linger for days. If they are strong I take it up top and put it out in the cockpit for the night.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	N/A
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	N/A
Other comments	There is a large MacGregor community here in Dallas. Parts are readily available since there is not much needed for this vessel. Even then original parts are still available. I will say that if these boats are properly rigged up with some creature comforts and properly maintained they should last another 20 years or so.

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