Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26M by Jim Jersey

Year built	2003
Location of boat	Pittsburgh, PA
The boat is sailed on	Rivers
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	less than 10 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2003
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes, If you like to sail and only have a river nearby...It is the only boat I know of that can serve double duty. You need a motor on the river here. No question, this is a fun boat to sail, motor, and overnight on. And for "simply messing about in boats".
Gear that's been added	Adding gear all the time. Usual stuff. GPS, fishfinder, depth meter, 2nd battery with switch, ac/dc converter, small TV, Honda 2000W Gen., Small A/C unit (fits in companionway), portable shower, microwave, rod holders, cockpit cup holders, cockpit table...
Structural or complex improvements	Made steering linkage to motor as long as possible to improve maneuverability at slow speed. i.e. docking.
The boat's best features	Its ability to go from sail to motor to sail quite easily. And it motors fairly fast...Handles well in moderate chop. Trailerability and liveability.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Fiberglass is very thin in some spots. Plagued by some water leaking in and can not figure out where it is coming from (only happens after long rain storms. None of this is a major problem.
Sailing characterisitcs	This is a sailboat and a motor boat...it does not do either one great. But it does both fairly well.
Motoring characterisitcs	See previous answer. And I agree with other owners comments about slow speed maneuvering. At speed it is fine. Docking at slow speed is always difficult and something to be learned in all boats. I put some or all the centerboard down, rudders down, adjust idle on motor as low as you can. I increased the steering linkage to get as much 'turn' on the motor as I could. Helps to 'swing' the bow. On speed...I was going 24 MPH with rigging off and boat lightly loaded. Mast up, loaded, ballast in...I still do 12 MPH.
Liveability	Have not spent more than a couple days. Not bad for a couple of days depending on how you have it set up for creature comforts.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Well, I kinda did. On the water thing...they were not real helpful. My dealer was more help.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Otho Campbell - Havencraft. Super guy...really goes out of his way to make sure you are satisfied. Attends to your every need with these boats and does so in a very prompt and courteous manner.
Other comments	This boat suits my sailing waters and lifestyle very well. We motor to the downtown area of Pgh. and stay overnight for various events. Sailing is best done in the early morning or late evening as there are usually no motor boaters and some wind at those times.

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