Would You Buy Old or Buy New?

[u12fly]

...Im not a mod happy person although i am quite happy to do minor things. All the boat needed was a few additional storage solutions. Plus maybe some extra lead and a couple of sail tweaks.

I love that about the Mac's, the boat is a great boat as manufactured. But for those of us engineers who seem to think "the world could be so much better if only it was designed like..." the Mac is an easy boat to modify and for the most part affordable. I know I wanted a used boat for cheap - cuz I wanted to change the boat... I got my during the economic crash for less than the going rate of an X. I don't usually get the lucky but I'll take it when I can.

Happiness for all.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

I gave up buying stuff which I didn't yet have time to install. I would buy something and it would get lost in my workshop after a couple years so I'm now of the mind that I will only buy stuff which I'll install right away.

My version of this same disease is to buy the thing 2-3 times, then wonder why I have all this stuff.....

Ha..I wasn't going to confess that. But I recently did that with a pair of bearing buddies for a small trailer I have...and then really felt foolish. Oh well...a spare set!

[Divecoz]

My Excuse Exactly!!! I meant to have those on hand.. Doesn't everyone Doesn't always fly by my accountant

I gave up buying stuff which I didn't yet have time to install. I would buy something and it would get lost in my workshop after a couple years so I'm now of the mind that I will only buy stuff which I'll install right away.

My version of this same disease is to buy the thing 2-3 times, then wonder why I have all this stuff.....

Ha..I wasn't going to confess that. But I recently did that with a pair of bearing buddies for a small trailer I have...and then really felt foolish. Oh well...a spare set!

[seahouse]

Hey Cat --

My version of this same disease is to buy the thing 2-3 times, then wonder why I have all this stuff.....

That's a GOOD sign, though. You know the 10oz glass is holding a full 10oz when some spills out!

(Only thing is, it didn't happen when we were teenagers, did it)?

- B.

[davidbourne]

I'm sure that bad economic times are good times to buy boats.

Y'all have convinced me that a used boat will probably be great for my needs.

Is there a better *time of year* to buy a Mac?

Thx, DB

Ps, this reminds me that I just got an email from the factory. They will pay for my flight to CA If I buy a new Mac from them. I've never heard that one before!

[mastreb]

Is there a better *time of year* to buy a Mac?

I don't think there's enough used transactions going on to say with certainty that there's a better season, but my guess is that fall/winter would be the best time, as north of the snow line the previous owner is done for the summer, has pulled it out of the water and put it on the trailer, and won't be using it for six months or so. If they have any costs for storage, payment, or insurance they'll want to avoid those costs.

Ps, this reminds me that I just got an email from the factory. They will pay for my flight to CA If I buy a new Mac from them. I've never heard that one before!

Be happy to take you sailing out here if they fly you in. I live about 45 minutes from the factory. That way you can see the full trailer onload/offload and mast raising/dropping experience, which the factory is not really going to discuss.

But what happens if you decide not to buy?

[Hamin' X]

I bought used and my search took over three years. Ultimately, I bought from an ad right here in our own Classifieds. My advice is to not be in a hurry and look at both models carefully. Check out the differences in model years within the different models and buy what you want. Price is not the only consideration, either. Can the motor be serviced in your local area?

~Rich

[u12fly]

My advice on buying a used boat is be prepared, stay alert, and moved fast, but most of all, be patient.

1). Be prepared: Know what you’re looking for, have the money in the bank or a pre-approved loan so you can make a deal you know will fund.
2). Stay alert: Constantly search all your sources for the newest boats coming on the market. Find multiple places which broker boats: like dealers, internet sites, local papers, even banks.
3). Move fast: When a deal hits the market, you have to drop everything and go after it. On my boat: The ad was placed, I saw it within 24 hours, drove 800 miles to look at the boat, offered a cash in the hand deal, then I had to buy a trailer to tow it home (it was a busy week).
4) Be patient: You have to wait for the boat you want, and the deal that makes you feel good .

In the interim it never hurts to study and learn more about the MacGreogor… Know what you’re buying, there are many on this site that love to show off their pride and joy and tell you their story. Take up one of those offers if you can.

[dlandersson]

Excellent advice.

My advice on buying a used boat is be prepared, stay alert, and moved fast, but most of all, be patient.

[Freedom77]

Don't know about East Coast but, economy being what it is, there is glut of used boats in So Cal at reasonable prices. If you find something you like ask the owner if they will take you out for a "test drive". Good Luck. Fair winds and full sails...Old Salt...

[DaveB]

Actually a month earlier a 97 Mac.X went on the Newspress for $5000. I went to look at it same day and it was in Ft. Myers on a Boat lift on a empty lot. It was sitting for 3 years and covered with green mold over the whole boat. It had a 50 hp Honda and sails were rotting with to shreads.It was a devorce thing and she was selling the lot and wanted the boat gone in a week.
My only option was to pay her the $5000 and have it towed out of the lift (I had to bring generator down to operate the lift if it worked at all. I offered her $3500 as I felt the boat needed to much work and I couldn't run engine, inspect the boat and all chusions were not there and a very large Hornet nest was inside the boat so I couldn't go into the boat, Companionway hatch was missing.
If I was retired I probably give her the $5000 (no Trailer) and taken the chance but I decided to wait for a better condition boat and pay more.
The Items I bought haven't been installed as I am regelcoating the top deck as the black and many of white deck the gelcoat has worn to seeing glass layup in places. Haveing the windows out and rubrail will make for a good gelcoat.
I may get at it this winter or following October when I retire and have all the time to do it.
The Larger engine is for 4 reasons, 1, get up on plane without running wide open and less noise, 2, 27 amps to charge batteries,3, I plan on keeping the boat and during summer months with very little wind I will launch the boat without Mast and boom. 4, When I get to old to sail the Mac. would make a great powerboat you can cruise at 6 knots getting 8 mpg. or 20 knots getting 4-5 mpg.I can also extend my cruiseing grounds big time and be down the 10,000 Islands from Cape Coral in 3 hrs or less. (Can launch and keep truck and trailer at the Cape Coral ramp for $50 a year)
In heavy weather fill the ballast tank and you have the most sea worthy powerboat and it will plane with full ballast if need be.
My Honda 50 also purrs like a kittin just doesn't have the Lion roar get up and go I would like.
Dave

For the Mac.X I was looking for a boat that had no trailer as I didn't like the Mac. single axel steel trailer and found a used 1997 Mac.X with a 50 hp Honda and paid $7800 3 years ago.
Today I have spent a total of $13,200 on the boat that includes original cost plus a tandem aluminum new trailer,sterio,refig,C2000 jib,standing rigging replacement,3 new batteries,elect. panels and fans,all new foam chusions replacement and a bunch of other items.(new windows, rubrail,large anchor roller all not installed yet).
I figuare I can get what I put into it and still have 3 years free sailing.

Wow Dave, you really got a good deal on that X..although I'll bet you have invested some elbow grease too in the fact that it is so shiny. My opinion is that if you can get a 26X that cheaply, it is kind of a no brainer (of course, I'm biased towards the X boat anyways).

I gave up buying stuff which I didn't yet have time to install. I would buy something and it would get lost in my workshop after a couple years so I'm now of the mind that I will only buy stuff which I'll install right away.

I've also been thinking about a bigger motor for years, but my 50HP Mercury bigfoot just keeps running so well (albeit a couple of carb cleanouts over the years and a cooling problem - all fixed) that I just can't seem to part with it until it shows some signs of serious demise. But one day in the future, I'll replace it..most likely with a 90.

Dimitri

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Sounds like a good plan Dave. Although I don't know about getting 4-5 mpg at 20 knots My guess is it would be closer to 3, maybe 3.5 mpg. But at hull speed, I can get 8-10 mpg though, maybe even 12-14 mpg if I motorsail. In fact I motorsailed from Anna Maria down to Stump pass last year when I cruised from Tampa to Cayo Costa and I think I did 55 miles that day only burning about 3.5 gallons so that was getting close to 15mpg, probably a record for me. I probably had enough wind to do 3-4 kn on average, but I needed to cruise at 5-6 knots to make it before nightfall.

[C Striker]

I dunno - there's an M a few slips down from my X and if you are at or above the average height, the M cockpit is really cramped to move around in - unless you are simply using the seating as your floor.

The is a better sailing boat, especially the transom release. The cockpit of the lends it self better for expansion...I've done 7 up for a week on Cape Cod using the cockpit as berths. Sums website has inspired me to make up the cockpit cushions better for this. I cant imagine this many on the

If you are under crew of four cruising, I would go I think.

When we anchor near shore, we NEVER step on the cockpit floor.
4 people cannot move around in an M cockpit without someone getting a face full of arse! sometimes this is a good thing though

[Divecoz]

X 2

I bought used and my search took over three years. Ultimately, I bought from an ad right here in our own Classifieds. My advice is to not be in a hurry and look at both models carefully. Check out the differences in model years within the different models and buy what you want. Price is not the only consideration, either. Can the motor be serviced in your local area?~Rich

[DaveB]

I haven't seen any reports from the X or M for MPG thru diffrent rpms. I am going by a 22 ft. pontoon boat haveing close to same weight empty as a Mac. and saw a couple of tests running thru the rpm range with flow meters. If any Mac. Owner has done these tests with the Suzuiki 90 I would be very interested.
I would think the Pontoon boat would have more wetted hull surface and is doesn't have the same flat hull surface as the Mac. I know what my Honda 50 gets and best cruise is at 5 knots getting 9 mpg no wind or current. If I went 3 knots I would get around 12-14 mpg. at 6 knots I am getting around 6 mpg. Big diffrence between 5 and 6 knots.
At 7 knots I would be better off on plane getting more mpg at 21 mph.
But thats only if one needs to get someplace in a hurry, otherwise sit back and enjoy the senery.
Even with the 90 hp I would probably use the cruising 20 mph 5 % of the time if that. It's the 27 amp low rpm I am looking at the most.
Dave

Sounds like a good plan Dave. Although I don't know about getting 4-5 mpg at 20 knots My guess is it would be closer to 3, maybe 3.5 mpg. But at hull speed, I can get 8-10 mpg though, maybe even 12-14 mpg if I motorsail. In fact I motorsailed from Anna Maria down to Stump pass last year when I cruised from Tampa to Cayo Costa and I think I did 55 miles that day only burning about 3.5 gallons so that was getting close to 15mpg, probably a record for me. I probably had enough wind to do 3-4 kn on average, but I needed to cruise at 5-6 knots to make it before nightfall.