I realized a lifelong dream recently and got my first "grown-up" sailboat, a 1990 MacGregor 26D. I'm super excited and just placed my order for a mast raising system with BW Yachts today. My wife says the photo of me with the boat on the day I signed the paperwork is the happiest she's seen me in a long time.
I cant decide what is more enjoyable, all the itching from the fiberglass or trying out your greatest and latest modification you have slaved over for hours only to find it doesnt work / fit
No really its the best thing going, I pity those that have never got into it, they have no idea what they are missing
Well, I'm a tad jealous. 26D's are known to be "wicked fast".
brockangelo wrote:Hey everyone,
I realized a lifelong dream recently and got my first "grown-up" sailboat, a 1990 MacGregor 26D. I'm super excited and just placed my order for a mast raising system with BW Yachts today. My wife says the photo of me with the boat on the day I signed the paperwork is the happiest she's seen me in a long time.
Oh really? I hadn't heard that yet. What's the reason for them being faster, just lighter weight? Granted, my hull is pretty rough and needs sanding, painting, finishing, etc, so it is probably pretty slow compared to others. I'm hoping to search through the forum over Thanksgiving and see if I can find suggestions on re-painting. I've seen articles that say "just paint and and wax, etc" and "gel coat is the only way"... so I'm still making a plan on that.
26D is a faster and better sailor than the power sailors because its a purpose built sail boat, because of that it has compromises toward sailing performance that the power sailors dont have, such as no standing headroom without the pop top up and is much slower under motor.
However you get a better hull shape for sailing and better pointing ability making it more efficient.
All boats are compromises, the power sailor boys compromise some sailing ability for things that they find important, while the more traditional sailors give up speed under motor and accommodation for what they find important.
Due to the differing needs and requirement of each you cant have one boat that does everything
Ahoy Brockangelo! Got yourself a "Classic Mac", Eh? Well played, Sir! I concur with Sailboatmike in that for every time there is a season, and that I seem to enjoy the tinkering with my 26X and little Com-Pac 16 "Foundling" over the mild winter "off-season" months down here in Virginia almost every bit as much as the actual sailing bits...Just an old grease monkey at heart, I guess--a virtue born of necessity.
So, welcome aboard, and tell us where you are and share a few pix of your new gal.
