Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26M by Tony Gore

Year built	2004
Location of boat	Burnham on Sea, Somerset, UK
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	16-22 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?	I have only had the boat for a few weeks and have been assessing it. Where I sail has the second highest tidal range in the world (which gives strong tidal currents), very variable and unpredictable winds.The MacGregor has taken it in its stride. However, the extra height on the mast for the 2004 model does seem to make it quite tender. I have yet to have the full mainsail and the genoa out.However, she is pretty fast on very little sail - as my wife is a bit nervous, she doesn't like the boat heeling too much, and so I have been experimenting with various sail combinations. However, she is pretty fast on very little sail - as my wife is a bit nervous, she doesn't like the boat heeling too much, and so I have been experimenting with various sail combinations. She will fly along on just a reefed main, and is also pretty good with just the standard jib. Currently, I am experimenting with an old mainsail from a 4/21 - this is 100 sq feet and goes up to the top of the forestay. At this, we have done 6.5 knots with some jib, but the heel angle stays down at no more than 20 degrees. I am thinking of having a sail of around this size, with three sets of single line reefing points, made by a local sailmaker, to use as a cruising main.So far, I have not been able to do anything like the speed under power except up the river - the short waves over relatively shallow water mean that she slams far too much.The other problem I have is manoeuvering into a pontoon berth with strong river and tidal currents, and strong winds. Space is very tight if you want to get out at the start of the tide. I find that I have to reverse out along past the other boats into the river with about half dagger board. She is quite easy handled at this. Coming in, I need the rudders as well; the main problem is the wind as soon as I slow down to a knot or less. The space I have to get into is only 7 feet longer than the boat.
Gear that's been added	Nothing major, yet.
Structural or complex improvements	None
The boat's best features	Shallow draft
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	When the tide goes out, the "flow" of mud under the boat puts a lot of pressure and slightly deforms the hull against the pontoon, despite trying to take up the curve with different sized fenders.MacGregor UK assure me that this is OK.
Sailing characterisitcs	Tender.
Motoring characterisitcs	Good
Liveability	Not yet tried
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Good
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Bought direct from MacGregor UK. Recommended - I should have listened to their advice and not bought the Genoa to start with - I did listen and not bother with the spinnaker.
Other comments	Will post more when I have had a season in her. I thought that first impressions might be useful to others.It is interesting - half the people on my RYA Day Skipper course (I have been sailing for 35 years, but only just bothering to get paper qualifications) will not sail on the Bristol Channel - they consider it is too dangerous. It is generally reckoned that if you can sail here, you can sail anywhere.

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