Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26M by Eric Ritter

Year built	2004
Location of boat	Woodbridge, VA
The boat is sailed on	Rivers
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2004
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Would I buy again? So far so good. Yes, I'd do it again, but with a few purchase changes. Some of the add-ons the dealer put in are unnecessary for me, or just so over priced that it would have been better to do myself. I found it foolish that the dealers "sail-away" package did not include life vests.
Gear that's been added	I've added a CD/MP3/Radio with remote control. It fit nicely above the sink and you can sit in the cocpit and use the remote. Also had to buy some safety equipment. We need to add a VHF and GPS for the open water trip to the Bahamas we are planning in June '05.
Structural or complex improvements	Nothing more exciting that installing the radio.
The boat's best features	The mast raising gear makes raising and lowering the mast a breeze. I trailer and it only takes about ten to twenty minutes from trailer to water. I also love the ladder on the front of the trailer. I have the Honda 50 and it's a very quiet motor. Makes it easy and quick to get to the wind.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The dodger cover has already stated pulling away from the zipper (only had the boat out 5 times!)and that's irritating. I don't like all the cotter pins...there has to be a better way to secure and remove rigging. It seems to me that on a boat where you are constantly rigging and unrigging there would be pins with stays that weren't cotter rings. There also needs to be some storage area for safety gear.
Sailing characterisitcs	On July 4th, Washington DC had a serious storm come in. Winds were in the 20mph zone. It was the first weekend with the 26M so I had to play. We filled the ballast and set the sails and the 26M flew! I don't have a knot meter yet, but we actually had a small rooster tail. I'd guess she was hauling about 9knts. Very easy to sail, responsive and takes to the wind with ease. Even in a slight breeze, the Mac sails well.
Motoring characterisitcs	I have the Honda 50 and it works great. Very quiet and smoot. If you want more speed, drain the ballast. Be very carefull with the ballast drained...moving about the boat could make you tip. She does about 15-18 mph with three people onboard.
Liveability	I've stayed overnight twice now. I bought a couple of 12v car fans with the clip-ons. They move the air around enough to make sleeping possible. The headroom is good for me; I can walk around okay. Make sure to bring sheets to lay on. The fabric in the berts is somewhat coarse.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I bought the 26M from A-1 Sailboats out of Mayo, MD. John Perrie is very knowledgeable about the Macgregor. Because I bought a boat already in stock, I probably didn't get the options that I would have if I ordered it. Somethings, like the dodger, I'm thankful for.
Other comments	I've sailed for the past 18 years. When I first saw MacGregors about ten years ago, I thought it was a great concept. You can afford a lot more boat when you don't have to pay slip fees. The 26M is a stylish, well appointed craft. I have had lots of comments on her from simple "wow"'s to great long discussions with new friends. Even my piston-banging buddies like her.

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