26M Better than 26X?

[zamber]

Is the 26M really better than the 26X? If so how?
Do they both have the same headroom below?
Is the 26X easier to walk on top of?
Is the deeper V in the hull of the 26M really a benefit?
Is the daggerboard really better than the centerboard?

[Chinook]

I've heard it said, and rightly so, that the X and the M are two completely different boats, despite their superficial similarities. Best answer to these questions would come from someone who's owned and operated both designs. The answer will depend, to a degree, on how you want to use the boat. In general, I expect that the M is the better sailor, able to point closer to the wind, with a taller rig, rotating mast, dagger board with lead weight in it. I think the hull design favors its sailing characteristics also. For those who use their boat as a pocket cruiser, on extended trips, the argument can be made that the X is a better fit. More room in the head, and more open cabin space including a full V berth, capable of accommodating 2 adults. The swing keel centerboard is more forgiving if you happen to hit bottom with it. I don't think there's much difference in walking space going forward.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

I've heard it said, and rightly so, that the X and the M are two completely different boats, despite their superficial similarities. Best answer to these questions would come from someone who's owned and operated both designs. The answer will depend, to a degree, on how you want to use the boat. In general, I expect that the M is the better sailor, able to point closer to the wind, with a taller rig, rotating mast, dagger board with lead weight in it. I think the hull design favors its sailing characteristics also. For those who use their boat as a pocket cruiser, on extended trips, the argument can be made that the X is a better fit. More room in the head, and more open cabin space including a full V berth, capable of accommodating 2 adults. The swing keel centerboard is more forgiving if you happen to hit bottom with it. I don't think there's much difference in walking space going forward.

[zamber]

Below is a link to the summary of changes from 26x to 26m. MacGregor claims the 26M is better. Is as better as claimed?
How much electrolysis and leakage is caused by the centerboard in the 26x?

The new boat is significantly faster under both power and sail, and quite a bit faster under main alone.
A DAGGERBOARD HAS REPLACED THE CENTERBOARD - Better performance is the big reason for the change. - NO ELECTROLYSIS OR LEAKS
mast section is larger (fore and aft) and does not require a backstay. This reduces weight aloft, and reduces windage.
IMPROVED RUDDERS - rudders are larger than those on the X, and have a more efficient elliptical tip
FAR MORE CABIN SPACE - MORE HEADROOM - Headroom is a full 6 feet
upgraded the electrical system, with better fittings and heavier wire. molded-in runs that allow dealers and owners to install wire to all areas
requires a lot less effort to raise and lower the mast
transom is now flush, and a pad won’t be needed
https://macgregorsailboats.com/macgregor-26m-vs-26x/

[Tomfoolery]

How much electrolysis and leakage is caused by the centerboard in the 26x?

None. There's no metal in the CB other than the mount, and that's not connected to anything metallic.

[Jimmyt]

Agree with Chinook. Although similar, they are two different boats.

What you need to understand about Roger Macgregor is, he was a brilliant salesman/marketer. The only leaks I'm aware of in the X centerboard area is due to the pin stabbing into the hull. Regular maintenance and inspection should prevent this. The rudder "improvements" in the M, were likely cost reduction measures. The M rudders and brackets are a weak point in the design in my opinion. I haven't had serious problems with mine, but I have bent the brackets a bit. I have the thin ones. I'll either get the thicker ones or redesign them altogether. Not a serious issue, but something you need to be careful of.

Windage is bad on both, probably worse on the M.

You need to get on each of the boats and see which best fits you. I would have taken either an X or an M when I bought mine. I like the X head better. The first M I found in close proximity was equipped with roller genoa, roller main, stern rail seats, and had a mast raising kit. It was also only a few years old with low motor hours. So, I bought an M. If I had found an X similarly equipped, and in similar shape, I probably could have gotten a bit better deal; and would be very happy to have it.

Comparing sailing ability of these two boats probably isn't worth your time. They both sail well, but neither is a bullet. In the right hands, with the right sails, it could go either way; in my opinion.

They are easy to rig and launch, motor reasonably well, sail reasonably well, and have a ton of room for the price and size. The large outboard allows you to pull a tube or skier, which opens up fun for the kids (most of whom don't find zipping along at 5-6 knots very thrilling).

Good luck in your shopping.

[NiceAft]

Please let me expand on this: :

What you need to understand about Roger Macgregor is, he was a brilliant salesman/marketer.

Being rather new, zamber may not be aware.

Rodger MaGregor advertised a MacGregor (both & ) being towed by a Ford Taurus. You try it; see how long the car lasts.

He also demonstrated that those boats won't sink; showing a photograph of a Mac he had drilled holes in, to show it won't sink. It won"t, but unless you distribute the weight evenly, such as everyone in the photo, and you are calmly at a dock, the boat will flip, or turtle, dumping everyone on deck. IT WON'T SINK THOUGH

MacGregor claims the 26M is better.

What does one expect him to say? He stopped building a successful boat, the and started a new one. He'd better say it's an improvement

[zamber]

None. There's no metal in the CB other than the mount, and that's not connected to anything metallic.

Below in the MacGregor summary of changes is where I got the idea about the electrolysis and leaks. Can the centerboard leak as opposed to the daggerboard? Is the metal below the waterline, but inside?
Are there holes drilled in the hull for the centerboard?

A DAGGERBOARD HAS REPLACED THE CENTERBOARD
Better performance is the big reason for the change. Here are a lot more reasons.

3. NO ELECTROLYSIS OR LEAKS

The daggerboard requires no metallic parts below the waterline. There are no holes in the hull to leak, or pins to wear.

[Starscream]

Zamber,

The only answer to this question is: The better model is the one YOU own. Period.

I bet that there are VERY few X and M owners that would swap their boat for the other model in the same condition. There are a few features that would be nice to have on one or the other, but it's all personal.

Kudos on doing your research. Have you used the search engine on this website to find all the old threads on this topic? There is so much information archived on this site, I encourage you to look through the old threads.

The 25th anniversary of the first 26X must be coming up soon. I think 1996 was the first one? So, 25 years, more than 6,000 built, and I've only ever heard two major incidents. One was an open porthole below the waterline (well documented on this site), the other was a drunk captain, overloaded boat and no ballast (also discussed,a lot, on this site). Like I said, do your research on this site.


Would anyone admit to wanting to SWAP their X or their M for the other model if it was in exactly the same shape?

[BOAT]

The first response by chinook is the most accurate. You need to talk to a captain with extensive experience with both boats.

That's what I did.

I was always planning on buying the X boat ever since I first saw the X boat and met Captain Mike Inmon at a boat show in San Diego back in 1991. I loved the bright white interior and the big stand up head (so different from what most boats had) and the open floor plan with views from stem to stern. At that time as a divorced guy who just got remarried and had a kid other things were taking up my time and my money It was not until years later I was finally in a position to consider buying my X boat and I contacted Mike who said he was bringing the MAC to an in-water boat show at the San Diego Convention center so off we went to San Diego to see him. When we got there 30 people were trying to cram onto the boat and Captain Mike was bragging about the "new" boat and I was immediately disappointed. I said: "Where is the head??? What did you do to the head??" "Why is it so drab brown tan in here? It's too dark in here!" I was really upset. The galley was crammed into the dinette and the DB well was hard to grasp on such a small boat. Mike went on and on about how much better the boat was but I was not convinced and left disappointed.

At that time Mike had both boats for sale in his inventory - I could buy either one. But he went on about how much better the new one sailed and insisted that I should consider the newer design. Well, I decided to forget the whole thing - I went on for another few years doing other things.

Then around 2012 I got rumor that the factory was closing. I decided to call Mike again. After sailing the M boat at Rogers house He had me down to the factory, gave us a tour of the plant, the new 70 foot epoxy boat, and the latest M model. the boat was less drab - it was cleaner inside - and the sliding galley was large and convenient - it was a nice touch. I never did ask about the factory and Mike never mentioned a closure so I dismissed the rumor. i did not know the factory closing was for real until after I already had the boat in the driveway.

Mikes own boat is a classic - he sails a Venture (just like the one I wanted when I was 14 year old) so I knew he was not partial to the M or the X boat but as a guy who had sailed both he was very adamant that the M was a better boat. I have no reason to doubt him because he still thinks the classics like the D boat are better than both the X and the M so he would be telling the truth.

[kurz]

"The deck liners have molded-in runs that allow dealers and owners to install wire to all areas where it might be needed for extra lights, instruments, etc."

Interesting: Where are all these molded-in runs? Interesting to know...

[Herschel]

At the time I purchased my X in 2003, my choice was between a new M or a nicely equipped used X that a PO had upgraded. I was able to get an X with all the bells and whistles (or at least most of them) for less than a comparable new M. The main factor for me, sailing in shallow Florida waters was the centerboard vs. the daggerboard. I had owned a Hobie 18 for many years and sailed in the same waters that I had planned to sail the Mac. Of course it had two daggerboards, which made unexpected groundings a rather rude experience that just stopped you in your tracks. Often on the Hobie 18, with the main and jib pulling you farther into shoal water while you were trying to wrestle up the daggerboards, it was not pleasant. Now I didn't do this often, but the thought of ramming my Mac into an unexpected shoal with a daggerboard, was just not something I wanted to do. So, I went with the used, well equipped and centerboard X. The few times I have grounded the X in my 17 years, it was just a matter of raising the centerboard and possibly the rudders, fire up the engine and backing off. Never a real problem. I'll stick with my X.

[BOAT]

I still think the X is a better shallow water boat. You guys in the coral would be better off with the flat bottom boat.

It's out is the open ocean where the M really shines.

[sunshinecoasting]

I'll say it, no one else wants to, the X is better than the M, there, I said it.


Now for why (for me).... I live in a tropical area, cabin size is moot, here we spend far more time in the cockpit, therefore, a bigger (and it is much bigger) cockpit is relevant to us here. Next, easier access to the cabin from the cockpit, what were they thinking? Next, I live in a sandy and coral bottomed area, a dagger board would last me about 10 seconds before it snapped off, our waters go from 50 meters to half a meter in 10 seconds so a swing keel is much better. Rudders lift to vertical on an X which is better for marina living (and less likely to be damaged). The X is generally much cheaper to buy. Captain seat is better on an X (looks and feels silly on an M). Rotating mast provides little to no advantage but does provide issues with mast mounted equipment. Toilet.... better on the X, no further comment. Ability to extend the V birth to a long 8 foot V birth can not be achieved on the M (matters if you are tall or just claustrophobic). Bigger windows and fewer of them on the X, this is just personal taste but I didn't like what they did there.

Having said all this they are both good boats but not ocean cruisers (sorry Boat) they are coastal cruisers and as such they both handle well under sail and motor.

Cheers Den.

[Highlander]

If the M had been 3ft longer & 18" wider move the head to the same location as the X , keep the dinette where it is but with a folding table to reduce it,s size by half when not needed for dinning , keep the sliding galley as is but a bit longer so as to except a Dometic CC40 Compressor fridge/freezer or similar which is an awesome cooler I bought one on sale in early march $200 off reg price & free shipping from amazon.ca half the price of anything else remotely compatible & a USA Company, only weighs about 25# is 120/240AC or 12/24dc reason being is the the NWP doe,s not get the high heat like Ont/Quebec, Florida & east coast so it,s smaller compressor is fine for my region ,been running under my kitchen table since I got it full of meat, chicken & ribs which were on sale at Costco just lets say I stocked up before the corona arrived including toilet paper lol , I was in no way believing it was just gonna disappear all by itself ??, I,m pretty much good for 6 months
extend the V-berth a little , turn the bottom of the original head location into a coat & storage closet making the top half with a folding bulkhead & counter top which can b used for storage or folded away when not required for more open concept when desired , then it would b an even better boat than it is now & with bigger ballast tanks she,s gonna b a more stable boat in rough weather & b less sensitive , Oh & a gaff rig option might b desirable but not with a square mainsail , more like a Bermuda mainsail
Sorry did not mean to highjack this Post !

J