Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26X by Jim McKirdy

Year built	1998
Location of boat	Deland Florida
The boat is sailed on	Open ocean
How the boat is used	Multi-week coastal cruising
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1998
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I have been in the last year asked: "Do you want to sell your boat?". This is the only boat that I do not want to sell because of many reasons. This has been the best boat I have ever owned. Low maintance, less than a hour to clean the entire outside. 5 people have looked at my boat and have all purchased new 26X's. I use this boat as a power boat about 250-300 hours a year. As a sail boat it has less than 100 hours. I don't even keep the mast on the boat anymore; its main use is as a power pleasure boat. We trailer the boat to the atlantic and gulf just about 4 times a month. I feel safe and with 50 years experience (of which 20 in the United States Coast Guard) this boat is safe and with a honda 50 the boat is very reliable..I would recomend anyone that wants a safe passage look at MacGregor boats.
Gear that's been added
Structural or complex improvements
The boat's best features	As a sail boat my 26X is best for me because I can sail solo. As a power boat; my boat offers comfort, style, relibility. Shallow draft is a plus feature here in Florida.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	I had to modify the stearing to our honda 50. Cables work just fine like the old days. The only problem I have had is the trailer. Because the trailer is made from painted steel. It will not last long. I have replaced the trailer with a galvinized trailer. Please note I do miss the ladder that came on the old trailer.
Sailing characterisitcs	This is the only boat that I have ever sailed that can point 2 to 3 degrees off the wind and still stear a straight course. Over 6 ft seas I recomend that your return to the dock. This boat does not like following seas and at the same time running with the wind.
Motoring characterisitcs	I have towed a lot of boats with the 26X. I can get into shallows where other boats can't go. It is strong enough to unground a 35-40' boat off a sand bar.
Liveability
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I have helped the dealer that I purchased my boat from. I have demo'd my boat and sent him 5 new customers.
Other comments	If MacGregor made the 26X 30 years ago my boat would be 30 years old.

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