Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 26X by Henry N. Wellman

Year built	1996
Location of boat	Bahamas
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
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	1996
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	yes! I had a 19 before a sold immediately when the 26x became available. It is also in the Bahamas and doing well.
Gear that's been added	too numerous to detail but mainly furler, xtra gasoline tanks,propane tank,2nd battery for motor, fresh fiberglass water tanks built into hull, h2o pump, WHISKER POLE for genoa, 3way fridge,etc. Want very much to get a dodger!
Structural or complex improvements	fresh water tanks in hull in wasted space, modified bow pulpit, many electical changes, instrument compartments, folding table in cockpit
The boat's best features	versitility!
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	rear bed space which apparently has been addressed with most recent model(?26m)but still prefer 26x layout,esp with kickup keel. a 30ft model with 26x layout would be fabulous for my use! Otherwise boat has weathered wonderfully in Bahamas. LASTLEY, THE TRAILER IS A PIECE OF JUNK! I'm on my second trailer now due to the salt water. Availabilty of an Al trailer would be welcomed!
Sailing characterisitcs	Mostly Caribbean with occasional blue water runs on calm days
Motoring characterisitcs	Same as above but boat is ideal for gunkholing and even to pull up to beaches.
Liveability	A bit too cramped especial rear bed of 26x-if a 30footer is ever offered I'll be the first to purchase it!
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Very poor. Very difficult to communicate. Best experience is to visit factory directly. Then one finds out what improvements are available. MacG is its own worst enemy so to speak. Coudn't they have at least a semi-annual news letter? They have very poor presence at bat shows too.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Dealer was great but retired and went out of business and since then have had very poor communication with MacG
Other comments	Recently was in hurricane Frances and was on trailer and blown on side. Mast was snapped and predictably at spreader. Need to get new mast or splicer, which I would prefer(19ft. had spliced mast which was very helpful in storing). Having very difficult time in getting info from MacG re this problem! Any help would be welcomed! Overall boat cme thru Frances fairly well compared to boats around her. I also have a moorings 3800 cat which was damaged some. I still have more fun sailing my MacG.

Contact
About
Terms of Use