Mac shopping near Seattle WA USA

[outboardr]

Hi everyone,
I've owned powerboats for decades, we recently decided to start shopping for our first sailboat. One of my boats even made it into Power and Motoryacht magazine this past year. It's a 16'er so no it wasn't some crazy big yacht we're not wealthy.
We decided the boat requirements include ability to sit on the beach at low tide, easy trailer launch/retrieval, light weight for good trailerability, live in saltwater in the summer, simple interior that is easy to clean since it will get sand/mud from the beach and our dogs during use, and sail or power easily if no wind. I have a private saltwater beach on east shore of Whidbey Island here with semi diurnal tides, so two lows two highs everyday and generally from 0 to +10' tidal flow. Meaning the boat will float or be on the sand twice a day when the trailer is parked at the house during summer.
So, Carol and I looked at a 90 26D and a 92 26S a couple weekends back. We liked them. She's 5'2 I'm 5'8 both early 50's so the crouching with pop top down wasn't too bad. We were both surprised at the interior room and how low they sit on the trailer. The water ballast concept is appealing. Neat boats.

Then everything changed this past weekend. While checking on my power catamaran in storage, I drove to back of the storage facility and saw a Mac 25 bow, drove a bit further and noticed a 98 26X parked behind the 25. So we looked at the X, and that's when the requirements list changed, adding ability to cruise at 14mph or so!
After 10 or 15 minutes looking at the interior layout and headroom, a real live head compartment, the cockpit transom access, wheel steering, and all the rest of the features you guys already are aware of we really appreciated the versatility of the X. Very excited we jaunted back to the house for more craigslist X shopping.
We initially figured we might find a well-kept D or S for 5-6K cash, looks like X are 10-20K, we're shopping with cash in hand so the quest begins.
Been using the search function here to find the running change list, although from reading here it seems that a well kept X of any year will put smiles on our faces. I'm noticing many of the pre-01 models might have the original Tohatsu/Nissan oil injected motors, vs the later TLDI direct injected motors. I'm in the marine biz and when overseas I've seen lots of the Tohatsu tldi and like them. Some boats we've found on the current market have really nice options installed by the owners over the years, dual axles, dodger/bimini, lines run aft to cockpit, etc.
I'm setting up appt's to look at a couple boats locally, and might drive east of the mountains to see a couple that have never been in saltwater.
There's a BC Mac rendezvous next weekend near us, and the BWY rendezvous next month in Anacortes WA the next island over from me, so we're planning to make one or both of those to see boats and owners in person and get a better feel for the new Mac adventure.
For now wanted to hi and let you know we're a little late to the Mac party, and will let you know what we find.

[Chinook]

Good luck with your search. I would particularly recommend trying to make the BWY rendezvous in June. It so happens that this will, sadly, be the final BWY rendezvous, ending a tradition which Todd and Cheryl began more than 20 years ago. They started it as a service to newbies they had sold boats to, and it built from there. With the demise of both the Mac and the Tattoo, times have changed. Since this will be the last rendezvous, registration for it has been particularly strong. I expect there will be many X boats, as well as M's, Tattoos and maybe even some classics, in attendance. I'm sure you'd have a great time there, and learn a lot.

[kevinnem]

fire away with any questions you might have, . if you look in to my posts (the first ones I made) I had quite a long arc finding my boat. The biggest thing you will need to consider, other then the condition of the boat is the engine. size, and age will VASTLY impact your cost, and it might be best to buy a 26x with an old 9.9 HP, and then re power with your current generation engine of choice (if you have the cash). Most people are using 70 HP + engines now.

kevin.

[Tomfoolery]

I'm noticing many of the pre-01 models might have the original Tohatsu/Nissan oil injected motors, vs the later TLDI direct injected motors. I'm in the marine biz and when overseas I've seen lots of the Tohatsu tldi and like them.

But many also had the Honda BF50 installed, which are carbureted up to some year after mine (1999). 16 mph with no ballast and flat water, which isn't bad considering it's a sailboat (that can also pull a wakeboard) but I'd like a 90. And you can always sell a good OB and put it toward one you'd rather have.

You should put your location in your profile, even just a generic part of the world. Makes it much easier to answer questions, and make suggestions. Just sayin'.

And welcome to the forum. Pepperoni, please. Two slices.

[C Buchs]

I just purchased a 2001 in Olympia, WA. Capital City Yachts was awesome to work with! I was hoping to find something with a 70 or 90 hp, but just couldn't wait. Of course, the next week one with a 90 hp Honda went up for sale. It was $5000 more than I paid for mine and it's gone now. I wound up with a really nice boat for what I paid and I'm really happy, but 90 hp would have been nice if I wasn't is such a hurry.

Jeff

[dlandersson]

Don't forget to budget for pizza's for eveybody once you close the deal.

[dlandersson]

I dunno

Most people are using 70 HP + engines now.kevin.

[outboardr]

Thanks everyone, just fixed my profile location.
Many good points, thanks.
Chinook: BWY last rendezvous? I am late to the party alright! I thought the Tattoo 26 was in production, do you mean the 26 production has ceased?

Yes good point about the engine hp, I am looking at the market/weights etc on outboards too.
In the trailerable powerboat world the component parts of a package are boat/trailer/motor, to that have to add sails. And bimini/dodger, up here without canvas a boat becomes a one season boat.
Good point on engine speed, up here on Puget Sound there's plenty of fetch for chop to build and while flat water speeds of 30+ are exhilarating, I find myself running my little Power Cat 14T with a 55hp 4 stroke at 18mph most often. Even my 20' power catamaran I most often run at 20 or 22 just for comfort, although I have to say it's like driving a couch across the water. So 14 sounds good on an X but after all the equipment piled in there 70hp might be needed.
I just took a call from my storage owner, says the guy with both Mac's wants to sell either or both and gave a number for me to ring him.
I'm going to be careful though, as a $10K boat might not be nearly as nice as a $15K boat in the long run.
I sure like the Mac trailers the guy at wordboats sells. There's another 5 boat bucks haha.
Update 2100hrs: I typed the above earlier today never got to post as busy with work, I mean Mac bucks. I spoke to the gent with the A898 X near me in storage, basic boat with few options, rims are 13" as opposed to 14x6 on the trailer ID tag, and quite a bit of surface rust/drum brakes. He's asking NADA book value.
Plenty more to see out there. I read Kevinnem's initial boat search posts.
And yes , the package is boat/trailer/sails/engine/pizza, noted!

[Chinook]

There's a thread somewhere around here detailing the situation with Tattoo. They've opted to discontinue production on the 26 and are focusing on the new 22. I'm not sure if they have a new production facility yet. For the time being, no new trailerable water ballast 26 foot powersailers being built. As you look at boats, it's worth paying attention to model year on the X. Some substantial improvements were made to boats starting with the 1999 year, things like upgraded stainless steel rudder brackets, relocated water ballast air vent, stiffened deck, and relocated bow running light (up on the pulpit railing instead of on the deck, which then allows for easier installation of a bow anchor roller). A well maintained and owner upgraded older boat would be fine, but the later model X boats do have some advantages. Good luck with your boat hunt, and hope to see you at the last rendezvous.

[Deeseas]

The MYCBC Regatta is this weekend in Blaine, please stop by and check out both the M 's and X's . And my '93 19' Powersailor. But nobody cares about my poor 19 . Lot's of fun and maybe we can talk some of these 26'ers to take you for a sail. Most of us will be in Anacortes next month.
Hope to see this weekend
Doug

[outboardr]

Hi Doug,
Yes we're planning to run up to Blaine Sat or Sun, and we'll say hi to you and your poor 19.
Already have Carol's 110lb pitbull/rottweiler here at the house with my rat terriers as they'll guard the fort while we are in Blaine.
There's a 26X that I want to see up there, might already be sold as owner hasn't yet replied to my inquiries.
I like the 19 too, for my purposes for a day boat it would be splendid. Not produced in big numbers right? I think that was proof of concept for the bigger boats if I recall.
A lot less surface area to buff n wax right?!
There have been a couple really nice 19's for sale in Seattle over the last year or so. I recall one on north end of Lake Washington that was really outfitted nicely.

[Hamin' X]

I just posted and ad for my 2001 26x. Located here in Hermiston OR. I'd be happy to show it to you and continue offline. Too much else going on and between horses, flying, farming and sailing and 50 other activities, something had to go.

~Rich

[Deeseas]

I've always thought of DOWN grading to an 26x, but you are right, every time I have to wash and wax I'm thankful I only have 19' not 26'.
See you on the dock!

Doug

[captronr]

If you haven't checked the classified on this site, it's a good source. In addition to Hamm's boat, Steve in Oregon is selling his Mac. I've been on his boat and it is in good shape.

Ron

[outboardr]

Thanks captronr,
We ended up not going to the Blaine meet and looked at another X. Didn't buy it. Another one we wanted to look at sold before we got to see it.
I am overdue replying to some folks with boats for sale, will get on that tomorrow as the Admiral has to work so I will play.