Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 25 by John Tucker

Year built	1978
Location of boat	Hilo, Hawaii
The boat is sailed on	Open ocean
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2002
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes, this boat is a MacGregor Venture 25 not a Mac 25
Gear that's been added	I have added a new keel winch, cable, standing rigging , running rigging, navigation lights, batteries, safety lines, mainsail, spinnaker, jibs (100%, 120% and 130%)storm sail. I have rewired the entire boat with upgraded marine wire and ran it thru pvc conduit.I installed new lighting and marine radio. There are two new bilge pumps. A new and larger cockpit scrupper.There is also and new propane two burner stove and a glassed in twenty gallon water tank.
Structural or complex improvements	I relaminated the bottom and added five coats of west marine epoxy.The topsides have been sanded and repainted with easypoxy all are original colors,I have a new rudder from Ida Marine. The keel was removed sandblasted and faired then glassed in. I also beefed up the transom with fiberglass.
The boat's best features	Inexpensive but well built for its weight
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Boat developed boat pox which I can understand given the age and it being kept on a mooring in tropical waters.Because I sail in the open ocean I have add to beef up the rig and all connected to it.
Sailing characterisitcs	She's tender, You must reef early to stay out of trouble. Doesn't point real high. But by god she can handle some very rough seas, I have been caught out in 10-12 seas and 30 to 35 knots of wind on her and she got me back safely.
Motoring characterisitcs	Has a 9 hp Honda 4 stroke works well.
Liveability	Its a camper with sails but I like that. 6' 5" cockpit seats are nice for sleeping outside in Hawaiian weather.I added new cushions so it comfortable to sleep in. I never have more than four people aboard.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Macgregor or at the person I spoke too was not very helpful at all. Try to upgrade me to a new 26 (I would never buy one)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	N/A
Other comments	This boat has been a primer boat for me and has served me very well. I used as a platform to learn to saill as well as a training tool for doing maintence on a fiberglass boat. I have been very happy with her and enjoy her company very much. I will be moving up to a larger boat in the next couple of years , probably a 38- 45 footer for cruising.

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