Help With Possible Purchase

[sparkem]

Hello, there is a 2007 MacGregor 26 with a 50 HP outboard and trailer for sale in my area that I'm thinking of purchasing. The asking price is 14995. The bottom definitely needs a paint job and there is a crack on the deck. I'm not worried about the bottom requiring paint, but the crack concerns me. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to attach a picture, but the boat is listed on EBay item # 260772831034. I know it's a lot to ask, but would appreciate it if someone could take the time to look up the boat and provide input about severity of the crack. I haven't inspected the boat yet since its three hours away and wanted an opinion on the crack before I made the drive.

Thank You,
Ray

[DaveB]

I would update your profile so we know were your at and were your from.
If it is a spider crack in the gelcoat I would look at stress points that may have created it.
If you see layup glass past the gelcoat it would deeply concern me and have the Boat Surveyed.
Bear in mind there always spider cracks in Gel-Coat and most are superficial.
Dave

Hello, there is a 2007 MacGregor 26 with a 50 HP outboard and trailer for sale in my area that I'm thinking of purchasing. The asking price is 14995. The bottom definitely needs a paint job and there is a crack on the deck. I'm not worried about the bottom requiring paint, but the crack concerns me. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to attach a picture, but the boat is listed on EBay item # 260772831034. I know it's a lot to ask, but would appreciate it if someone could take the time to look up the boat and provide input about severity of the crack. I haven't inspected the boat yet since its three hours away and wanted an opinion on the crack before I made the drive.

Thank You,
Ray

[Divecoz]

I only see 3 for sale ( auction ) and None are late model M's.. Seeing as that is about HALF of what these boats are selling for .. Check your source again.. Bids are just that bids.. wishful thinking..

[sparkem]

Dave, thanks for your advice.

Divecoz, not wishful thinking, boat is listed as a classified ad on EBay not auction, still listed. Asking price is $14995. Have been in contact with seller.

[pokerrick1]

Then I assume they told you about the cracks because there's nothing in the ad. I suppose it's possible for someone to donate a good boat to an organization like this - - - but I would be very suspicious. If you get to see it, be SURE to test the engine - - - start it up & let it run. Buy 25' of hose and some engine "earmuffs" before you go down there so you can run the engine. Take a battery charger with you also! Might be dead and you MUST test the engine. that's a big expenditure if it's shot.

I hope you get some advise on the cracks here.

Good Luck!

Rick

[sparkem]

Rick,

Yes, when I asked asked about the "need for minor repairs" they told me about the crack and added the picture to the listing. Appreciate the advice about the earmuffs and battery charger.

Ray

[Québec 1]

This ebay seller

http://feedback.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ ... ckAsSeller

has never sold anything ever. He has no feedback for sales just for buying stuff. I would, as an experienced ebay buyer and seller never buy anything from him.
Q1

[c130king]

I see a big crack just under the side stay adjuster. Looks like a hard hit on a piling made that crack...I have one of those but MUCH smaller and harder to see. Hard to tell from the photo just how bad that is.

The price is VERY low (dare I say suspicious). 2007 26M with 50 HP should be well over $25K I would think. But it may be a donation to the charity so they can sell it cheap.

And slightly changing the topic I am a Mississippi kinda guy (High School and College). I trailered my boat to Biloxi back in 2009 during the Christmas break. Sailed out of Keesler AFB but had some great sailing days out in the Sound (videos of my MS sailing on my website...see my signature block below). And probably moving back there next year when I retire...seeing how I am getting roped into buying a house within 3 miles of my Monster-in-Law in Wiggins, MS (good thing my wife doesn't read this website... )

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[Divecoz]

I think your getting some good advice here.. USE CAUTION!!!!
Remember....... He paid Bare Bones aka No Motor No Nothing ... more than that for the boat..As Seen these boats hold their prices possibly better than any other boat on the market.. IMHO and just a guess ....BUT with others here.... buying older boats for as much or more??? Something is wrong!! The question is begging an answer? Why is this guy Trying..to sell a boat for $6000.00 less......than the going rate?
2nd Question . With all the people that are looking for these boats how did it last more than a few hours let alone to a day or two days max??
Go see it... cash in hand ...ready to tow it home.. You can have a lot of gel coat fixed for $3000 !!!

[Divecoz]

JIM.. Just got a response back from your sweetheart about the post you made.. Papers are in the sheriff's hands as we speak and she sold me your boat for $10K cash.. That's we working off Your WiFi pulling out of your drive with what used to be Your boat : )

I see a big crack just under the side stay adjuster. Looks like a hard hit on a piling made that crack...I have one of those but MUCH smaller and harder to see. Hard to tell from the photo just how bad that is.

The price is VERY low (dare I say suspicious). 2007 26M with 50 HP should be well over $25K I would think. But it may be a donation to the charity so they can sell it cheap.

And slightly changing the topic I am a Mississippi kinda guy (High School and College). I trailered my boat to Biloxi back in 2009 during the Christmas break. Sailed out of Keesler AFB but had some great sailing days out in the Sound (videos of my MS sailing on my website...see my signature block below). And probably moving back there next year when I retire...seeing how I am getting roped into buying a house within 3 miles of my Monster-in-Law in Wiggins, MS (good thing my wife doesn't read this website... )

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[mastreb]

Dave, thanks for your advice.

Divecoz, not wishful thinking, boat is listed as a classified ad on EBay not auction, still listed. Asking price is $14995. Have been in contact with seller.

The crack was either caused by impacting a piling with the stay overtightened or by the mast hitting something sideways (like a bridge). I would rotate the mast one-side to the other while laying to determine whether it's bent. If it's bent, a new mast from the factory is <$1000. Check for the presence of six stays.

Irrespective, if this is legit (the price is very suspiciously low and Q1 is right to caution you about the seller's lack of feedback) and you can inspect it before purchase, and that crack is really the only thing that appears to be wrong, It won't cost the $10K difference between the cost of the boat and the value of the boat to fix it.

As others have said, fire up the motor. You can use 20' jumper cables to attach the boat's battery to your car battery, don't run your car, and just start the outboard with the jumpers hooked up. The boat battery is directly below the companionway ladder inside the cabin.

In any case, it's by far the best deal I've ever seen if that's the only issue.

Good luck and let us know!

[sparkem]

Hey Jim,

Appreciate your info and enjoyed your videos. Definitely being cautious about purchasing this boat. If and when I buy a boat I aslo will be sailing out of Keesler. Goodluck living near the mother-in-law .

Ray

[sparkem]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the good advice. I will call the seller tomorrow and try to set up an inspection for this weekend. I'll post an update once the inspection is completed.

Ray

[1st Sail]

for that money join Boat US hire, a marine surveyor from their list. Let Boat US handle the title search and legal transaction. They will dot the i's and cross the t's. It may be half the market value but it's still a lot of $. Ask for an emailed pdf copy of the Title. Are there any liens on the title? Has the property been pledged as collateral in any other contract. Establish that the title is free and clear. Request the name of the Macgregor dealer who sold the boat.
Good luck

[Ixneigh]

Check the rudders and brackets. But for the price nothing but serious hull damage should concern you. Ive seen 1999 x's sell for more. I just bought new after following the used market in fl. For months.

Ixneigh