Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26X by PAUL KALLMEYER

Year built	1996
Location of boat	CUDJOE KEY, FLORIDA
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2001
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	For this area of shallow water, yes. Haven't taken it North so don't know about elsewhere.I haven't really become comfortable with the handling under power because of the stiff and difficult steering in close quarters.
Gear that's been added	Added bimini sun shelter and am experimenting with different main sheet arrangements due to the original main sheet location on the console. Trying a traveler over the hatch on top of the stanchions and above the lifelines. Putting in pressure water. Added light in the head area and a mast head anchor light which I can't understand how the boat got built without one!
Structural or complex improvements	See above
The boat's best features	LIGHT WEIGHT AND SHOAL DRAFT.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Hard steering and so poor handling control.Loose centerboard side play when down and sailing.Original centerboard pivot pin was swiss cheese when I checked it! Put in a new stainless bolt,will see how that does.Original plastic bow cleats were missing the forward horns and were a bitch to replace. Required lots of sweat and abortioning original installation area below decks. Had to destroy the broken cleats to get them out and use three of the original holes. The fourth hole was in the hull/deck mating area! Had to drill new hole and plug old one.Accessibility of internal ballast controls is poor and very dangerous on the stern one under power. Requires an acrobatic meneuver to operate.
Sailing characterisitcs	So far only sailed about four hours and two of them under genoa only. Not a fast sailer due to light weight and choppy seas.
Motoring characterisitcs	Steering is hard and difficult to control. Tried various combinations of motor & rudder hook ups and centerboard levels and haven't found a good and easy one yet.
Liveability	Light switches, battery selector switches and battery locations are not satisfactory and will be changed as time permits. Engine and steering control cable locations in the aft berth and engine area are bad and could go from the console directly aft on the cockpit sole with a little design work. The engine control on this boat is very poorly located and a bad control, too inaccessible for quick usage. Steering is hard due to cable length and routing plus engine and rudders hookups.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Have not had to deal with a dealer nor MacGregor.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Bought from origonal owner's widow.
Other comments	I wish the trailer had a way to lower the centerboard.

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