Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26M by John Robert McCormack

Year built	2005
Location of boat	Troon, Scotland
The boat is sailed on	Open ocean
How the boat is used	Multi-week coastal cruising
Normal wind strength	16-22 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2005
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	yes, the boat is "drop dead gorgeous" from any angle. This model has a good fitout level (with the extras)However, had to make some mods to assist with the Scottish Climes. Windows had a tendancy to leak which was easily rectified with silicon. I like the option to be a "yauchty" or a "gin pallace" when it suits me. Die hard yauchties don't like us though - jealous. Good for young families.
Gear that's been added	Garmin 128, Raymarine Bidata and wind, replaced poor fresh water carrier with fixed unit, relaced hand pump with whale self priming taps, lazyjacks, Cobra VHF and Handheld, garmin fishfinder, Nasa Power, Nasa GPS repeater, radio DVD, locks for the trailer, Full cockpit canopy, microwave and fridge, Sea toilet
Structural or complex improvements	Not yet, but some of the topside moldings are very thin which require some material to be glued in place before drilling. My cockpit sprayhood fittings ripped out the deck in the first good blow. Epoxy fit mountings before drilling.
The boat's best features	Looks Great, Sails Great, under power this boat is just superb. The Yamaha 50HP High Thrust is a superb unit. The envious looks from the die harders lying becalmed in the bay has to be seen to be believed, as you disappear in the distance in a large bow wake towards that lovely anchorage for lunch. Did I say she looks great......
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Water tank - Bin and replace. Hand Pumped tap - replace with Whale fittings. Pressure fitted windows - NOT in Scotland, too much rain. Gib shredded in first winter afloat due to bad stitching in some joints - but this was replaced under warranty, new one ok. Storage needs some creative thinking. I would have welcomed some kind of Drawer / compartment for charts in a future build.just small domestic stuff.
Sailing characterisitcs	In light winds she can outsail most westerly dumper trucks we see here on the West Coast. Sails can be a bit difficult to raise in a swell and the truckers hitch idea does,nt work too well - a wee winch on the mast is better.
Motoring characterisitcs	Caught out in V. large seas and 25 Knot + winds on the way back from largs, downed sails and snaked my way across the largest waves - the stability was surprisingly reassuring under power - quite a roller coaster ride.On the calm, superb motor cruiser and great fun.
Liveability	Open plan living - very spacious for two - comfortable for two adults and two kids.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	N/A Macgregor Yachts International in the UK.Folks were great
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Outstanding Service, there when I needed them, helpful etc. I even loaned them my boat for the Southampton boatshow as it was the first 2005 M in the country.
Other comments	Just enjoy, which choose power or sail when you can have both. These boats do exactly what they say in the brochure - I am a very happy man.

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