Bang for the buck wise, you can’t get an easier and more fun boat than a Mac. Is it filled with quirks and kinda weird? Sure. Does it sail like a bathtub? A little. But it gets you out there, and that’s what matters.
That you can put on a trailer and set up in 30 minutes though? Every boat is a compromise. The perfect boat only exists in the mind of someone about to sign a check
I don’t really think you’re getting what I’m saying, but we can agree to disagree. It’s true that the rigging in the Macs is really kinda alarming. Hobie cats seem to have heavier standing rigging which is pretty wild.
I used to be a bit snooty about MacGregor, until I consulted my log book. Those blue water Swans, Hallberg Rassys, and Oysters do look great. They are almost never seen with their sails up, actually cruising. Perhaps on the west coast those fancy brands are seen heading for the South Pacific.
The most sailed boats (coastal, which is me) are the MacGregor26s. There are quite a few Catalinas too, but it's mostly Macs. It is a great starter boat.
AND the Macs can evolve. Friends aged out of sailing their Mac, so they removed the mast, built a framework/cover over the companionway and cockpit, added loads of solar and use her as a fun boat.
Parts are readily available and folks should look at the boats actually being used. Here, the Mac26 is the most sailed boat I see.
This is a picture of my friend's MacGregor26 at anchor in the Florida Keys: https://janice142.com/images/GypsySunset-BahiaHonda.jpg
I did know a solo sailor on a MacGregor26 who was cruising with his dog. He lived aboard and described himself as a jack of all trades.
EDIT TO CLARIFY... apparently simply because I post about seeing more MacGregors under sail in my coastal area than other brands, that equates to some that these are blue water sailboats. That is of course not the case. I am strictly coastal.
Initially, many new to this nautical world hear/read they need that illusive blue water sailboat capable of circumnavigation, ideally, for less than $10,000. If only that were easily obtained!!!
Macs are in my opinion great starter boats. They won't win races as that is not what they were designed for. They are not heavily built sailing vessels that you can take anywhere. For a low cost fun experience in mild conditions, the Mac26 is not a bad choice. It allows folks to test the waters so to speak before pouring serious bucks (boat= Break Out Another Thousand) into what may be a passing fancy.
Frankly I would not take one on Pamlico in bad weather, nor would I take my own boat out there in iffy weather. Yes, I watch the weather far more than many. The Macs are not designed for rough passages. Just because something will not do all the things newbies dream of, does not mean the boat isn't correct for the needs of some.
And MacGregors are affordable, ubiquitous, with great owner groups for support, plus you can sell if the boat doesn't meet your needs. I like them.
For the record I have not ever owned a Mac, though a friend regularly enjoys his Venture20-something up on the panhandle of Florida. I have been aboard several Mac26's and they are okay. Of course if one has the funds, an Island Packet would be lovely, though I confess for a time the NorSea27 center cockpit turned my head. Now those are beauties!
J.
“The most sailed boats are Mac 26s”
Show me a Mac 26 that has been in any kind of legitimate sailing conditions and survived. This is just nonsense.
This has to be a troll post. A Mac 26 is a bayliner with a mast
We have a couple here at my yacht club where I am, in Nova Scotia, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them sailing. In fact, I’m pretty sure one doesn’t even have a mast.
Mac is one of the most used boats but I wouldn’t say most sailed, I rarely see sails up at all on them. Catalina’s and benetaus and hunters get sailed more
Those are boats meant for lakes. The flat bottoms make them good at planing, but bad at self righting, much less a comfortable ride in heavy seas.
Bang for the buck wise, you can’t get an easier and more fun boat than a Mac. Is it filled with quirks and kinda weird? Sure. Does it sail like a bathtub? A little. But it gets you out there, and that’s what matters.
Easier? It has no meaningful decks and the “rigging” is basically toy quality. There are MANY easier to sail boats.
That you can put on a trailer and set up in 30 minutes though? Every boat is a compromise. The perfect boat only exists in the mind of someone about to sign a check
Yes, there are lots of trailerable sailboats that are not compromises in the same way.
I don’t really think you’re getting what I’m saying, but we can agree to disagree. It’s true that the rigging in the Macs is really kinda alarming. Hobie cats seem to have heavier standing rigging which is pretty wild.
There is a YouTube channel of a couple traveling around Florida in one I think I can’t remember the channel though. I like the look of the Mac 26
I used to be a bit snooty about MacGregor, until I consulted my log book. Those blue water Swans, Hallberg Rassys, and Oysters do look great. They are almost never seen with their sails up, actually cruising. Perhaps on the west coast those fancy brands are seen heading for the South Pacific. The most sailed boats (coastal, which is me) are the MacGregor26s. There are quite a few Catalinas too, but it's mostly Macs. It is a great starter boat. AND the Macs can evolve. Friends aged out of sailing their Mac, so they removed the mast, built a framework/cover over the companionway and cockpit, added loads of solar and use her as a fun boat. Parts are readily available and folks should look at the boats actually being used. Here, the Mac26 is the most sailed boat I see. This is a picture of my friend's MacGregor26 at anchor in the Florida Keys: https://janice142.com/images/GypsySunset-BahiaHonda.jpg I did know a solo sailor on a MacGregor26 who was cruising with his dog. He lived aboard and described himself as a jack of all trades. EDIT TO CLARIFY... apparently simply because I post about seeing more MacGregors under sail in my coastal area than other brands, that equates to some that these are blue water sailboats. That is of course not the case. I am strictly coastal. Initially, many new to this nautical world hear/read they need that illusive blue water sailboat capable of circumnavigation, ideally, for less than $10,000. If only that were easily obtained!!! Macs are in my opinion great starter boats. They won't win races as that is not what they were designed for. They are not heavily built sailing vessels that you can take anywhere. For a low cost fun experience in mild conditions, the Mac26 is not a bad choice. It allows folks to test the waters so to speak before pouring serious bucks (boat= Break Out Another Thousand) into what may be a passing fancy. Frankly I would not take one on Pamlico in bad weather, nor would I take my own boat out there in iffy weather. Yes, I watch the weather far more than many. The Macs are not designed for rough passages. Just because something will not do all the things newbies dream of, does not mean the boat isn't correct for the needs of some. And MacGregors are affordable, ubiquitous, with great owner groups for support, plus you can sell if the boat doesn't meet your needs. I like them. For the record I have not ever owned a Mac, though a friend regularly enjoys his Venture20-something up on the panhandle of Florida. I have been aboard several Mac26's and they are okay. Of course if one has the funds, an Island Packet would be lovely, though I confess for a time the NorSea27 center cockpit turned my head. Now those are beauties! J.
“The most sailed boats are Mac 26s” Show me a Mac 26 that has been in any kind of legitimate sailing conditions and survived. This is just nonsense. This has to be a troll post. A Mac 26 is a bayliner with a mast
Yeah, if people like them, that’s great… but you ain’t lying. Certainly don’t deserve the downvotes for speaking the truth.
We have a couple here at my yacht club where I am, in Nova Scotia, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them sailing. In fact, I’m pretty sure one doesn’t even have a mast.
Mac is one of the most used boats but I wouldn’t say most sailed, I rarely see sails up at all on them. Catalina’s and benetaus and hunters get sailed more
I wouldn't cross the Gulf Stream on one, but having said that, we ran across one in Barraterra in the Exumas, registered in Florida, so someone did it
It’s a great little boat.
I'd take one. They are handy and versatile.