New boat, new sailors

[capt grumpypants]

As several members move on I thought I’d start a thread on our Macgregor experience. Hope that some of it will be of interest, and that a little of it will be useful.

I grew up in Southern California, and learned to sail on daysailers out of Santa Barbara and San Diego. That was 40 years ago, and while I had a stack of boat brochures, and vision impairment from reading newsgroups and websites, I haven’t actively sailed again until last year. For some time at least one of those brochures was for a Macgregor, and three years ago one was on display at a show. My first mate (She refuses to be an admiral) immediately liked it and we scrambled aboard, thru the cabin, over the top, thru the hatch, and around the cockpit.
That started us talking about buying a boat in earnest, so in preparation we took a half hour demo sail (not on a Mac) at the Strictly Sail show in Oakland, and I took several hours of sailing lessons out of Sausalito.

This year we looked at several boats, including new and used boats at the Arena Yacht Sails yard in San Rafael. I liked the way we were treated there, and we liked the layout of a 2002 they had. Once I had checked out money situation, I called them and gave them a ‘hold deposit’ on the boat.

I can’t speak for all sellers, but here’s the arrangement they made with me: they took the deposit and are to make a demo sail date with me in the next 15 days. If the boat is not as advertised, we can walk away from the purchase with our deposit; if we do not like the boat when demoed, we can walk away with our deposit less the price of the demo sail; If we like the boat and everything works as advertised, we buy it with credit for the deposit added to the purchase.

That’s where we are right now. I expect the demo and sale to be concluded in the next two weeks; I’ll let you know how it goes.
Fair Winds….
James and Theo

[Obelix]

Welcome grumpypants,

We also bought our first boat, a new 2008 , from Jeff and Dan at Arena Yachts.
It was a great buying experience, they are good people with lots of experience on all kind of Macs.

Obelix

[chuck]

I bought a 2007 26M from Jeff and Dan at Arena Yachts last November. I went down from Salem, Oregon. I was treated with respect. Could not have been a better experience. They spent 3 to 4 days with me and made the purchase a joy. I talked to Jeff, and he will walk me through a few things before I go sailing this summer. They a First Class in my book.

Chuck Scott

[vizwhiz]

I have no idea who Jeff and Dan at Arena Yachts are...because I live on the other side of the country.

BUT, welcome aboard! We're excited for you, and look forward to hearing how it goes!

[Gater Dunn]

I love your handle wish I had thought of it first welcome aboard

[pmmcderm]

I also bought my from Jeff and Dan, just last October. Had it shipped out here (Hawaii). They were very helpful, and I since I could only afford to fly out for 1 day of sailing, Jeff made it a long day. Was truly amazing. The only recommendations I'd have is that BYW sells some useful mods, especially for single-handed sailing where I am. I also wish they would have talked me out of the Genoa; I ended up buying a Jib later.

I'm still getting used to that first 10-15 degrees of heel. The environment this winter is really on the outer edge for a Mac, and it's making for tough conditions to learn in. We haven't really had a weekend with less that 20 kt winds since October. When I'm not driving, it's fine and a lot of fun. When I'm driving, I still don't have a good sense of control with the heeling. Getting easier, though!

Personally, I have found this forum invaluable, and greatly appreciate all the contributors sharing their knowledge.

[capt grumpypants]

Well...part 2

We had the test sail of the 2002 this afternoon. The location was the San Rafael Bay, north of the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. We were out in 10-15 mph winds from the southwest. The current was running at 3 knots towards the south. There was a modest swell with variable direction. Warm and sunny. Here are some observations:

1) Apparent speed is all relative, 12 knots on the water under power feels like 80 MPH on a road. Depending upon your comfort level it can be exhilarating or terrifying. With no water ballast the boat is twitchy at low speeds, it improves as you pick up speed.The ship had an eighteen inch wheel and was responsive, but a person who has only driven a car will be surprised by the bow swings as your stern comes about. Power performance at low speeds improves when ballasted.

2) The boat sailed nuch better than I expected, reaching brief speeds of 5 knots under sail, readily tacking, moving away from and into the wind well, running smoothly with good boom control, and no glaring faults.

3) The boat launched and loaded simply off/onto its trailer. It can be hand walked down a dock easily.

4) On its trailer or in pictures the boat looks huge. On the water sitting in the cockpit as a tanker moves past you it seems very small. The cockpit has plenty of room for 3 or 4 and we rarely had side spray into the seating area.

5) If any in your party gets seasick, provide medication beforehand.

6) There seem to be many reputable Macgregor dealers, Jeff and Dan at Arena Yacht Sales in San Rafael, California are two of them. I encourage anyone in the bay area who is interested in a Macgregor to give them a try.

So, to make this long story short, we've bought an .

[phoenixtoohot]

Very nice. Like you, I'm also returning to sailing (from Chesapeake and Long Island) after a 35 year hiatus. Just purchased a 26M last month and love it. There were several things I preferred about the X, but just happened to come upon a good deal on the M. Congrats and happy sailing !!

Larry

[pokerrick1]

phoenixtoo hot - - - in no time you will become an preferrer - - - especially after you experience the rotating mast.

You made a fine choice and it's good that you got a deal you couldn't refuse.

Happy Sailing

Rick

[capt grumpypants]

Another update:

The dealers have the paperwork, and we have agreed on the price. In the next three weeks we should be able to pick her up and tow her away.

Until then I've got a bad case of the boat jones', which I have to satify by looking at these picture several times a day....

In the boatyard;



Floating off the trailer;



Walking it back;



Sigh......

[Mac26Mpaul]

Good stuff Grumpypants
I still remember when I was buying my boat. Not only did I keep looking at the photos I had of her, but I watched the Macgregor 60 minute video probably 15 or 20 times LOL
mmm, I think the original X video is out there somewhere too, ya best find it and that will give you something else to do while you wait
Saving every mod photo from the mods section and studying them was another of my hobbies while I waited to get my boat

[Russ]

Congrats!

No go surf Westmarine website for toys.

[coolchange]

I wish mine looked that clean!

You should have a lot of fun...and you can keep the first mate if you never yell because you are "excited". I also keep mine away from the ramp..in or out..they just make her too crazy after a few little mishaps with a much larger boat..

[yukonbob]

Is your arm sore from buffing that black stripe? looks good

[capt grumpypants]

Hey Yukonbob,

Who said I did the polishing....?

GP