97 26X for $3000 - To good to pass up???

[Free2sail]

Hello Everyone,
Have enjoyed many hours of reading on this site - and have been thinking how to get back into sailing, and how much I would enjoy doing the mods on a M26. I was originally thinking about a 26S, mostly price wise, and I lean a lot more towards sailing, but have 3 kids under 6, and I am a single dad, so a big motor could help everyone have a good time.

The first boat I looked at and inspected was a 1997 26X with orignal Tahatsu 50. Owner leaving area, and was desperate. Offered at $8000 originally but now willing to take $3000. I wasn't planning to buy so soon, but now wondering if this deal is stop thinking and do it now type of value.

The Good: (As far as a rookie MacGregor sailor could be expected to know.)
The boat though filthy on the outside, seems in good shape, well taken care of except for this last year, as the owner was away.
The inside is a dirty, but nothing abused, a bbq, fish finder.
The engine was reputed to have run fine 8 months ago.
A new jib never used, not sure of size.
A jib furler
Trailer included, original.

The bad, or possible bad:
Boat has been in the water about a year, and I do not recall bottom paint.
The engine was left in the down position for the last 6 months, unknown hours.
Battery dead
Cable for Swing keel needs to be replaced, it has some small meat hooks on it.
Jib left on furled and completely thrashed by the sun.
Main ok, under cover, small rip that has tape on it.
Trailer sitting for some time, needs bearings redone at least, rust unknown.
No mods to speak of

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Free2sail

[Craig LaForce]

Yes, sounds like a great deal. I have a 97 and it is still fine. I would ask about the bottom paint, but hard to believe anyone would be foolish enough to put it in the water for more than a week without bottom paint. If you have a long handle boat brush just feel with it under the hull to see if you feel barnacles or zebra mussels. The trailer might need new brakes at that age. otherwise I wouldn't jumpt to the conclusion the bearings are bad (they are packed in grease, and usually have a bearing buddy full of grease as well. The jib is supposed to have a sacrificial UV protective stip along the exposed edge (about 6 inches wide).

The carbs probably need to be pulled and new fuel hoses and bulbs.

Dirt wipes off. Batteries are easy to change. No mods may be a good thing. The centerboard cable is not a big deal to change on the trailerr. There should be several posts here giving the procedure and tips. (one of them mine)

[Rick Westlake]

Replacing the centerboard pendant is not difficult, though you do have to drop the board to do it. This is not hard to do on the trailer - I've done it twice. Its pivot is attached to a hanger bracket that bolts up into the top of the C/B trunk, under the forward dinette seat. The board probably weighs 25 pounds or so, and one person can handle it easily. I use a load strap (ratchet strap) to lift it back up into the trunk.

The original pendant is stainless-steel cable, up to the cabin-top turning block, then 5/16" polyester double-braid to the cam-cleat. Later on, the factory went to an all-polyester pendant. I advise you to replace the S/S pendant with all braid as well - that, after replacing my S/S cable last July and losing the bolt through the centerboard in the following September.

One other thing I'd advise - check the deck for delamination. MacGregor used a balsa core in 1997, and if any water gets into the core it turns the balsa to soup.

[puggsy]

GO FOR IT...even if it looks like this....




then work hard on it....and finish up with a nice unit....

This is not a but the satisfaction remains....

[Russ]

I would ask about the bottom paint, but hard to believe anyone would be foolish enough to put it in the water for more than a week without bottom paint.

Fresh Water?
Mine's been in the water since May sans bottom paint as it has been for the past 3 years.

Yea, it can get yucky, but as Pugsy pointed out, it washes/scrapes off with some work.

For $3k, it seems like a steal. My only concern would be the motor, but even still, repowering it would still be worth it IMO.

[SkiDeep2001]

Free2Sail, $3,000 does sounds like a good deal. I would definately go over the boat/motor with a fine tooth comb. Still, at that price you are going to be ahead of the game, barring any major issues. Lots of boat bucks saved to do some fixin'/modin' if you get it at that price. Good Luck Rob

[Catigale]

Ill almost guarantee that motor is dead.

At 3000 without a motor, its still a great deal.

[nedmiller]

I would check it out but can't imagine not buying it. If you don't buy it, let us know where it is!
SILK

[dvideohd]

Macs sell fast... watch the expiration times on Craig's list.

Make sure the boat is "not HOT..."

I have heard that occasionally Macs are subject to some "hanky pank" in titling and ownership... ie, you buy - and then find there is still a lien...

also - transfer cash in a save environment - like a bank or credit union.

******

Hope you get a good deal... watch yourself, though!!!!! (verify ownership with state, if possible...)

--

[Craig LaForce]

Good point about checking for fraud or other scheme. The price is so low, it may be a steal, literally.

[nedmiller]

Wow, good point. It is really too good a price...but it sounded like you had been talking to him when the price was higher??? ...or was it just his story that the price had been higher.
On Craigslist when i see a deal that may be too good to be true, I put the description and Craigslist to see if the guy is running the same scam in several different cities. Sometimes you see the same pictures posted in cities all over the US!
Be Careful out there!

SILK

[Free2sail]

Great - Thanks for the input.

I will look for the post on the balsa core - that seems like it could be the biggest potential issue. I'll look to see if there is a post describing what to look for.

I am pretty sure that the owner is on the up and up, but then by definition of a scam, that is what I should expect to feel. So, I think I'll set up the money transfer/purchase at the DMV so the title can be checked at that time. Thanks for the wise heads up and warning!

I'll take some pictures and let you guys know how it works out.

Thanks again!
Free2sail

[Gazmn]

Good 4 u free...
& the kids. I'm sure you'll be using up a lot of sweat equity.
But your dreams can get you through all that

Go for it Bro

[vkmaynard]

Instead of all the speculation, just run the boat title thru the tax office and the trailer title thru the DMV; Done.

Finding a used engine is very difficult. We looked for several years and ended up buying new with a 6 year warranty. For $3K in boat you can buy a lot of engine. If you plan to take your kids wake boarding or skiing then you will need 90 hp or a strong 70 at WOT.

Victor

[Catigale]

Actually - do boat HINs go through the same reporting that cars do, and do states share info??

If I were registering the boat in the same state as I bought I would feel safe, but Im not sure about crossing state lines....