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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Macgregor 26X

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Sam Nelson
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/12/2002 : 22:59:33

Ok... I know this is a Catalina site, but darn! I just saw my first Mac 26X and was stunned. I didn't know such things existed!
I'm all ears if anyone has something to say about the boat.. I'm beginning to consider shopping around for one.
I'm an inland and coastal sailor, and the thought that I could get 30 miles in a couple of hours opens up all kinds of new areas to sail for me.
Any thoughts?

Sam Nelson
C25 "Stratos" #3811

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 01:31:31

Yeah, I'll say something.....but I'll probably get screamed out of town...If you want a powerboat: buy one...If you want a sailboat: you've got one....If you want an abortion, buy a MacGregor: IMHO, it's a misfit if there ever was one. It's true that every boat is a compromise, but this one tries to do too much...Despite what they claim, I'd bet big bucks that they sail like a slug. Design is everything in sailboat performance, and these are designed to do several things/ most likely, neither of them well...

I quit looking at MacGregors years ago, but I can't imagine they've changed. They are the poorest, cheapest built boats out there, with the possible exception of several other "sailboats" built by powerboat companies after the first gas crunch in 1974. The fiberglass was/ and probably still is applied with "chopper gun", not mat, and the hardware is the cheapest, flimsiest there is. Tangs instead of turnbuckles???? Ha-Ha.

If I had absolutely NO money, lived on a quiet little lake with little chance of really rough going, and could only sail if I had to take anything.....No, I still wouldn't go MacGregor. I'd get a little Snipe, C-Lark, Lido, or something. Aesthetics are also important to me, and the Powersailer is about as homely as anything I've seen that purports to be a sailboat...

However, I respect your right to buy one if you want, and maybe it's the right boat for you.....it just isn't for me....but you asked......

No offense intended, I just have a strong opinion on this one!

Gary B. Cat 25 #685 Encore!

Oh, yeah, in my neck of the woods, used MacGregor Powersailers seem everywhere...why do you suppose that is???

Edited by - on

Steve
1st Mate

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USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 10:15:12

Gary, how do you REALLY feel about MacGregor Powersailers?

Actually, I agree with you. If you try to combine a stink potter( is that right?) with a sailboat, you end up with something that isn't worth a damn at either one. I just sort of fundamentally disagree with the concept. Sailboats aren't supposed to have 50hp outboard motors. We have one at our marina, and it's brand new, and I see a lot of people over looking at it, but I just walk by and shake my head.

Steve.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 10:46:33

Sam,

I agree with what Gary B. said. I once owned a MacGregor boat, and I concluded it's unlikely anyone ever buys a second one. I try not to get too judgemental about boats I haven't owned, but the styling and even the concept of that 26X motorsailor in particular strikes me as a gastly abomination.<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle> There used to be a scathing critique of the Mac 26X somewhere on the Trailer Sailor website written by a former owner with some knowledge and experience (Todd J. I think). I'll stop now, before I start frothing at the mouth.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Boats like that really make me appreciate the beauty and quality of my Catalina 25.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 12:03:02

I generally agree with the others about the Mac 26X. They don't function well as either a power boat or as a sailboat. But, some people don't care if they sail all that well. They just like to relax and sail on occasion, and they like to water ski and go fast at other times. The Mac 26X fills that niche. It's not for me, but anything that gets a person and his family out onto the water and into the great outdoors is o.k. by me.

Although Macs are cheaply built, they are lightweight, easy to launch and retrieve, some models can be towed by a relatively low powered vehicle, and some models are actually lively racers. They are a very inexpensive way for a person to get started in sailing.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 13:25:54

You won't have any trouble shopping around for one. Most that I see are for sale; kinda tells you something about owner satisfaction. They may make an O. K. powerboat, but the sail rig is cheap.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

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LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 13:32:00

I also agree with those above about the boat. I had the opportunity to get inside one at Sail Expo in Chicago and that clinched it for me. It looked and felt absolutely chintzy! The table top itself bends when grasping both sides, the way the windows were set in looked inadequate, and pretty much everything else about it looked very cheap.

I also agree with Steve in that if one's budget allowed a MacGregor or nothing else, then it would be worth at least considering. But, "you get what you pay for" really applies here. Someone else commented on the availability of used MacGregors, and that does really say something. Catalina 25's (and other Catalinas) get snatched up quickly and you don't often see them for sale because of the quality of the Catalina. Enough said.

Dave & Sharon on "Leigh-Marie"
Hull #5128

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 13:34:52

There's one in our marina and although I've never been aboard for a sail the owners like it. That said, an "exciting" sail for them is 10 knots and they didn't put it back in the water this year because they've been sailing on a friend's 30 foot sailboat. The sailing rig on the Mac is a toy and I can't imagine its very good for towing a tuber or waterskier. The only possible thing I could think of that a Mac could be perfect for is a journey that would combine sailing with motoring up canals. I must admit that in a perfect world I would have both a sailboat and a power boat, but I don't think combining them into one boat is a good compromise.

Maybe you could charter one for a weekend & evaluate it yourself. Obviously a lot of people like them. I'd be interested in hearing an objective review from a sailor.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 14:07:18

They make great planters

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 14:34:04

If you get mcgregor, good luck getting rid of it. Back when I first started sailing....9 years ago....there were at least 3 for sail in the paper. As I look now, there are still two for sail and I would be willing to bet one of them was on the list nine years ago. I know from looking, there is always one listed in the Cleveland Paper.

In many regards I agree with a lot of posters on this thread, the 26x's are big pigs, (a little bit of the pot callin the kettle here though because our winnebagos with keels aren't much faster)

But we can't overlook Steve Milby's point either. These boats can be enjoyable. You just have to have the right niche market..

There is a cardiac surgeon here in Cleveland who can't afford (ironic use of words there huh?) to get stuck out on the Lake, but loves sailing....This fits his needs perfectly. for those days when getting stuck out on the lake in the morning would cause him to miss surgery in the afternoon he can motor up and be in in a jiffy.

Side note: After looking in the paper, coincidently, who in Cleveland is selling their 250???? and who in the Akron area is selling their tall masted 25 (on atwood lake)...

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b1ce23b3127cce9b043565af3d0000004010" border=0>

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 15:01:13

Sam:

I would never own one, but...

Different strokes for different folks

Most of the responses are as you would expect from Catalina 25 owners. I think Steve Milby's response is the most objective.

I would characterize MacGregor as filling a rather large niche given the success of that company (during a time when many other companies making higher quality boats have gone out of business).

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - RichardG on 06/13/2002 15:02:52

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 15:20:33

STOP dont do it!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 16:41:36

OH BOY--MAC-BASHING!! I WANNA GET IN ON THIS!!

I heard from an ex-owner that with 50 hp (the max) on the transom, the 26X would barely reach 20 mph (Mac owners prefer that measure), and with the sails up, it mostly went sideways and pounded like hell. My own assessment: I'm stunned too, every time I see one--they are BUTT-UGLY! Sorta like a Bayliner with an oversized, guyed antenna!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/13/2002 16:59:30

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 16:41:44

Duane,
Your story about the Doc reminds me of the Doc I use to skipper for. He explained that when he filling out the form to schedule surgery, under the space titled "Reason for surgery:", he he almost wrote in "new boat cover."

Edited by - on

Sam Nelson
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2002 : 18:24:55

well, I'm going to assume that the general consensus is tha 26X is pretty much a multi-purpose, do-nothing-well design... sorta like one of those SUV's that unfold into a pickup, or like Windows ME.
Thanks guys

Sam Nelson
C25 "Stratos" #3811

Edited by - on

jguyot
1st Mate

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USA
97 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 21:07:51

Hi sam
If you would like an opinion from a "former" owner of a Mac 26X .... I'm the guy!!! I actually owned one. I bought it brand new in 1998 and thought this was going to be my dream boat!!! Personally, I kind of liked it..... Had lots of room down below and the price was right!!! I had put an 18hp motor on the back and could motor about 8.5 - 9 knots. (I allready owned a power boat, so I didn't need all that power of a 50hp!!!) You say, how did it sail?? I "thought" it sailed pretty well until....... I started racing with it. I was always at the back of the pack and usually DFL. I thought, maybe I'm just not that good of a sailor...... I need more practice. The Admiral was getting very frustrated and would no longer race with me!!! It all came to a head during our 3rd Summer with it. We had gone to the "Big Lake" with a couple of our sailing friends and no matter how hard we tried, we just could no keep up with them!! They would sail past us..... turn around.... go behind us and then sail past us again!!!!!! We decided that was enough...... We are going to the Boat Show in Feb. and look around!!! We found a dealer at the show that sold both Hunter & Catalina and had both the Hunter 260 and the Cat 250WK side by side at the show!! Wow! That was the 2 boats we were interested in! To make a long story short, we ordered the Cat 250WK at the show (The Cat was just made so much better the the Hunter). Last Summer was our fist year with it and we LOVE it!!!! So much better than the Mac! Yeh, we spent about $10 grand more than the Mac...... But it was worth it!! And the racing??? Usually 2nd or 3rd now!!! Not bad for the first year!
By the way, I sold the Mac privately within 30days of putting on the market to another Mac owner who wanted to move up and got the price I wanted for it too! Would I buy another one? Probably not. At the time, it was what I could afford and it kept me out on the water... For lake sailing, it was fine. It all depends on your priorities.... If it gets you out on the water.... Go for it!!
Good Luck....

Jerry Guyot
2001 250WK #586
"Sail La Vie"

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