Macgregor Owner Reviews

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Review of the Macgregor 25 by Tony Tony

Year built 1980  
Location of boat Sun City,AZ.  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2006  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, I have had more than 15 of these, and a great boat for the money!  
Gear that's been added The boat sat for more than 10 years, so it wasn`t very nice. I put my Honda 7-1/2 on it. i like those 4 strokes. Added a Genny(160)Put the battery up front, to get the wieght forward(sails better)All new lines. Down hauls on both sails. New lights (like those leds)  
Structural or complex improvements Re-did the rudder, to make it easy to use.  
The boat's best features My main boat for years was an old 222 Venture. A great boat, and didn`t pay much for this one. I got to cleaning it up, and my wife said she likes it better than the 22, so we must be good to the little lady you know. It sails as good. Most of the 25`s sail much alike. And i have had them out in some very strong winds, and if you can sail, you know that letting off the sails, you can sail in most any high winds easy. We use it as a travel trailer, when going long ways. You have a nive bed, and the 25 does have an inclosed head. You have your ice box, and stove along, so you don`t need a hotel. Also they tow so nice, because they are so light.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. No, this is a very good one. My 222, i had to build a new keel out of steel, also made a kickup rudder(adding 144 more sq.in to it)They are nice and strong for a light boat. I like the way they use the chain plates (i use to build sailboats)  
Sailing characterisitcs If you are a good sailor, you can take it anywhere! They are light enough, that they sail nice in light air, Maybe i have an advantage, But racing all those cats though the years, very high winds don`t stop me from going out. We have been out when the much bigger boat come in. The kickup keel and rudder let you do any gunk-holing that would ever want. Without any damage to your boat(boy have i hit a lot of stuff though the years).  
Motoring characterisitcs They motor fine. But i must say, that it is so nice to have a 4-storke motor when you have a tailwind!!(doesn`t smell like those 2-strokes)Also i have gone from LA to San Diego (120 miles)on less than 3 gal.  
Liveability I think it is good for a boat that size. But again, you are talking to somebody that took a daysailor 4 1/2 months, in the Sea of Cortez (Sailstar Explorer-18)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Hard to say, but i think good. I know Roger, so if i need something, he has been everso nice to me.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any No, bought it from a gal whos needed to sell it, because her husband got sick, and the had been sitting 10 years or so in their driveway.(Also a cat made it a home for sometime) not very good you know!  
Other comments Well it is not much different than all the other ones(Mac-25)That i have had though the years. I think that Roger hit the mark with these boats. Priced them right. Easy to tow. I have hauled them all over the country. and they are as good as it gets going that! I, being a sailor, thinks he went the wrong way with the ones that have the big motors on them, and wish that he would go back to building real sailboats again!(because he has had some great ones) I sail a Mac-36 cat. that a friend has in Mexico. Also have sailed the 65 a few times. even the old 21 was a nice sailing boat(had a few of them)  

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