Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 25 by Joe Paolo

Year built	1977
Location of boat	White Bear Lake Minneapolis
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1991
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	When I bought it, 15 years ago, it was the perfect boat for a young family that enjoyed spending a day or so on ther lake. It had enough room to camp out with two young boys, but thats about it. Now we daysail--usually just me and the wife and a few friends (as the not-so-young boys would rather jet-ski). Now that we're older, stand up head room would be nice. And the wife wouldn't mind a door on the head.Overall, a great first boat for protected water. Great daysailer and enough room for the occasional camp out.
Gear that's been added	Screens for the hatches. Maintanence items, replaced keel bolts. and cable (winch is still origianal) rewired a couple if times (I use cheap wire) Had to replace the 23 year-old mainsail a while back.
Structural or complex improvements	It's a lightly built boat but has held up well for me. Kept in a fresh-water slip for about 6 months a year. Then stored under tarp for the winter.
The boat's best features	It was cheap and durable. Can't keep up with the Hunters or Catalinas but it's paid for.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Gel coat is cracking in spots but this a 28 year old boat and I like to sail, not polish my boat. Keel cable snapped (again it probably should have been replaced years ago).
Sailing characterisitcs	Doesn't point very high. 100-110 degree tacks. She's tender. Shorten sail early and you'll be fine.
Motoring characterisitcs	She's a barge. 5hp gives about 5mph. Docking with the keel up is way to exciting.
Liveability	It's like camping in a small tent but with no ventalation. Anchoring off the stern at least gives you some air in the companion way. And she sways alot at anchor.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	NA
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	NA
Other comments	I'd like to get a 26M but the wife likes the Hunter 26. (better head door)

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