Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26C by Bruce

Year built	1995
Location of boat	Miami
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	1996
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	yes, There is no better trailerable sailboat. It is light, good in a stiff blow and fast for its size.
Gear that's been added	I added a lever for the forestay so that it is very quick to attach the forestay. I can now raise the mast by myself and tighten it down in under 5 minutes. I also have added a bimini, hooks in the halyards to permit tightening them, and a tiller tamer. This year I added a new aluminum trailer. The old trailer was iron and was shot. This new one is just wonderful, made by web-on/torino trailers in Miami.
Structural or complex improvements	No, I think the current boat as configured is wonderful. I do not understand other owners who say they hve problems with the rudder. My stock rudder has been troublefree. In a blow, the boat nicely feathers into the wind and I rarely if ever have trouble with knock downs or broaching. I am a fairly experienced sailer and my boat has won numerous races against other, similar sized boats by hunter and catalina in moderate weather. It is quite fast and out performs its rating when sailed properly.
The boat's best features	The boat is easy to trailer, launches in less than 15 minutes and has a lot of room for its size and weight. The rig is light and easy to handle for a solo sail. I can rig, launch and sail it by myself. You dont need winches if you use the working jib, and the boat points wonderfully upwind. It behaves like a big centerboard dinghy, which is what it is.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	I think the boat is well designed and especially wonderful when sailed in shallow water. It is very tender to steer due to its centerboard design (an advantage when racing and a disadvantage when cruising) and will tend to rock more than a true keelboat when at anchor. Bathroom is small but better than most other trailerables.
Sailing characterisitcs	The boat is fast, sails well in heavy weather (especially when the mainsail is reefed) and easy to use single handed because of its corresponding light rig.) turns on a dime and goes up wind very well. It is a joy to sail.
Motoring characterisitcs	I use a 5 hp motor and the boat powers faster than my fathers hunter 27 with an 8 hp diesel. Care is needed in large waves as the outboard will tend to cavitate if run too fast due to bouncing in the waves.
Liveability	We have done some week long trips in it. It has excellent ventilation but there isnt a lot of room for cooking when 5 people are aboard. Mostly we just bring snacks and easy stuff.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	I have had so few problems and if i had any issues, the dealer was very helpful.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	A-1 sailboats in MD were very helpful and responsive to all my questions.
Other comments	I have had the boat for 12 years and expect to keep it at least as long as that. There have been no problems with rigging or hull. It has been solid. No worries about sailing in any type of water, though it is a costal cruiser, not for blue water. It excels in shallow water and can be easily beached- no need for a dinghy. Trailers like a dream, is fast upwind and can go from trailer to dock in less than 15 minutes. The back bunk is extremely comfortable.

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