Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 23 by Dick Horton

Year built	1977
Location of boat	Tarrytown, NY
The boat is sailed on	Rivers
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1986
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes, I would buy the boat again. I do wish some features were different and maybe I will get around to modifying them someday.
Gear that's been added	Auto Pilot, Loran, GPS, VHF, Speed Log, solar panels. Moved electrical panel to just inside hatch. Installed red nav-light over galley. Modified galley location holes so it can be moved forward to provide more room in main cabin area.
Structural or complex improvements	No structural changes. May cut down V-berth to allow for more room.
The boat's best features	Shoal draft. Classic lines. It's the neatest looking boat in the club.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	No efficient way to raise and lower mast. Needs three or four people or a crane. If I could figure out an easy way to raise and lower the mast I would trailer more.
Sailing characterisitcs	Boat is relatively slow in light wind. Likes brisk steady wind and sails well in it. Lots of fun.
Motoring characterisitcs	I have a 9.9 long shaft. More than enough to move the boat right along. This is basicly a 5-6 knot boat. The motor mount needs to be adjustable to get maximum efficiency at different speeds.
Liveability	I am 6 feet, 195 lbs. The cabin is cramped and after a week I am usually banged up. I wish the cabin was an inch or two higher so I could sit up straight. And I wish the pop-top (which is a great feature) went up an inch or two higher so I could stand up straight. I wish there were really two adult bunks. I have a plan for providing a better second bunk but it will require putting it away every morning. The cockpit is the best place to sleep if the weather is good.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Years ago I was able to get some tech info from them. Havn't contacted them lately.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Bought from a private individual who was trading up.
Other comments	I have made several circumnavigations of Long Island, NY. A forty hour open ocean run from the Statue of Liberty to Block Island. (About 120 miles) And back through Long Island Sound. The ocean leg requires a "reasonable" three day weather forecast or I don't go. The trip back through the sound provides for anchoring or docking at night or if the weather turns. It's a great trip and the boat performs well. No scares. Just know what you are doing and are capable of doing. I am ex-Coast Guard, have taught U.S.P.S courses, am a Coast Guard Aux. Coxswain, and have been on the water in this boat for many years.

Contact
About
Terms of Use