I have been contemplating buying a Mac X for some time now and will start my search in ernest this winter. Is there another boat make/model I should look at as a close second to the X?
Here's what I'm after:
Roomy inside, handles easily on the water, motor speed not a factor, easy to tow/setup, easy maintenance. Sits low on trailer, so water ballast important. Reasonable value. No daqggerboards.
I'm curious if you X owners found any boat as a second choice to the X. I've looked a little and can't come up with any.
THKS.
Ron
What boat should I look at BESIDES the "X"?
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Beam's Reach
- First Officer
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- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada 97X, 50HP Mariner 4 Stroke
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LOUIS B HOLUB
- Admiral
- Posts: 1315
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
- Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"
The TWO of us moved up from a Mac26-S to a Mac26-X. I havent seen anything out there COMPARABLE to the "X" . We wanted trailerability, comfort, sailability, powerability, upkeep ease, upgrade ease, SAFETY, and a WELL BUILT BOAT. The Mac-X HAS NOT been a dissapointment. I havent found a dissastisfied MAC owner YET. The MAC-M is nice too, but I like the interior of my Mac-X a LITTLE BETTER. I also prefer the SWING KEEL of the Mac-X as opposed to the DAGGERBOARD KEEL of the Mac-M. 
There is no boat comparable to the 26X, and includes the 26M. We bought the X primarily for its excellent layout, both in the interior and the cockpit. Nothing else comes close.
Motor speed was also not a factor for us. Some here would say why buy a powersailor, which sails less well than a "real" sailboat, only to put a small outboard on it, instead of buying a better sailing boat also with a small motor. My answer to them is the interior, and that includes standing headroom, which many "real" sailboats of similar size don't have. We could've gotten by with a 15-25 HP motor. Even an 8-9.9 HP motor will push the X to hull speed, but the 15-25 HP will do it at lower, quieter rpms and they may also have larger alternators.
Our local ramps are typically short and shallow. You can use a trailer tongue extension to get a "real" sailboat back far enough to float it on and off, but there is a real danger of running off the ramp concrete, where there's often a big hole blown away by the big motored bass boats power-loading. The 26X low height on the trailer eliminates the need to do this, and is unmatched, but the 26M is close.
I was happy with the way the X sailed, especially once I got the rig tuned for minimum rake. Others may be more critical than we are, but if we wanted to go fast, we sure wouldn't be sailing.
That's my 2 cents...
Motor speed was also not a factor for us. Some here would say why buy a powersailor, which sails less well than a "real" sailboat, only to put a small outboard on it, instead of buying a better sailing boat also with a small motor. My answer to them is the interior, and that includes standing headroom, which many "real" sailboats of similar size don't have. We could've gotten by with a 15-25 HP motor. Even an 8-9.9 HP motor will push the X to hull speed, but the 15-25 HP will do it at lower, quieter rpms and they may also have larger alternators.
Our local ramps are typically short and shallow. You can use a trailer tongue extension to get a "real" sailboat back far enough to float it on and off, but there is a real danger of running off the ramp concrete, where there's often a big hole blown away by the big motored bass boats power-loading. The 26X low height on the trailer eliminates the need to do this, and is unmatched, but the 26M is close.
I was happy with the way the X sailed, especially once I got the rig tuned for minimum rake. Others may be more critical than we are, but if we wanted to go fast, we sure wouldn't be sailing.
That's my 2 cents...
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LOUIS B HOLUB
- Admiral
- Posts: 1315
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
- Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"
If you aren't looking for the ability to go faster than hull speed under power, there are a number other boats you could consider. Some of the boats that aren't making the compromise of going fast under power will sail a little better than a Mac.
Both Hunter and Catalina make water ballasted boats of about the same size, but they have slightly wider beams (over 8') which could be a problem for trailering in some states where 8' is the limit without a special permit. Also their rear berths are set up for sleeping crosswise. Not a problem in a quiet harbor but less comfortable than the fore to aft rear berth arrangement in a Mac while under way or while moored in active water. Some of their other components like the galley may be a bit nicer than the Mac. I perfer the dinnette arrangement in the Mac 26X to the center table of the Hunter & Catalina, but that's a matter of personal preference. Santana has also made water ballasted models. If money is not an object you might also consider the Mast or Odin water ballasted boats.
The Mac has a lot of headroom and just room in general compared to other boats of similar size, but that is gained in part by more freeboard which means the wind will push the hull around more when it picks up. Macs are known to be pretty active boats while anchored.
Some other boats you might consider are Aquarius 21 & 23, smaller non-water ballasted Catalina & Hunters like the Catalina 22 or Capri (though not as easy to get on and off a trailer as a Mac), Precision 23, Beneteau 23, Seaward 22 & 23, Jeanneau 23, Tanzer 22 CB, Compac Eclipse & 23, Rhodes 22, Potter 19, smaller O'Day models, and of course the classic Mac 26S.
Part of your choice will depend on how much weight you are willing to tow and which of your other criteria have the highest priority. Most of the above mentioned boats will be in a similar weight range as a Mac 26X or M.
Some of the older models you may be able to find good deals on. Most used Max 26X & M models will have larger motors which means they will cost more than something like a used Catalina 22 or Aquarius. In terms of new or more recent models the Mac will be a hard price point to beat.
Both Hunter and Catalina make water ballasted boats of about the same size, but they have slightly wider beams (over 8') which could be a problem for trailering in some states where 8' is the limit without a special permit. Also their rear berths are set up for sleeping crosswise. Not a problem in a quiet harbor but less comfortable than the fore to aft rear berth arrangement in a Mac while under way or while moored in active water. Some of their other components like the galley may be a bit nicer than the Mac. I perfer the dinnette arrangement in the Mac 26X to the center table of the Hunter & Catalina, but that's a matter of personal preference. Santana has also made water ballasted models. If money is not an object you might also consider the Mast or Odin water ballasted boats.
The Mac has a lot of headroom and just room in general compared to other boats of similar size, but that is gained in part by more freeboard which means the wind will push the hull around more when it picks up. Macs are known to be pretty active boats while anchored.
Some other boats you might consider are Aquarius 21 & 23, smaller non-water ballasted Catalina & Hunters like the Catalina 22 or Capri (though not as easy to get on and off a trailer as a Mac), Precision 23, Beneteau 23, Seaward 22 & 23, Jeanneau 23, Tanzer 22 CB, Compac Eclipse & 23, Rhodes 22, Potter 19, smaller O'Day models, and of course the classic Mac 26S.
Part of your choice will depend on how much weight you are willing to tow and which of your other criteria have the highest priority. Most of the above mentioned boats will be in a similar weight range as a Mac 26X or M.
Some of the older models you may be able to find good deals on. Most used Max 26X & M models will have larger motors which means they will cost more than something like a used Catalina 22 or Aquarius. In terms of new or more recent models the Mac will be a hard price point to beat.
Delphia alternative to the Mac X?
As someone who has an interest in all kinds of trailer-sailers, have a look at the Delphia 22 (formerly Europa TS240) or the Delphia 24.
Both boats are built in Poland to a high standard and come with an inventory often listed as 'extras' by other manufacturers. Layout is very similar to the Mac X and they have an American dealership.
Although not a TS (trailer-sailer), the Delphia 29 lift keel is something to drool over!
Their neat web site is at:
www.sportlake.com.pl
Both boats are built in Poland to a high standard and come with an inventory often listed as 'extras' by other manufacturers. Layout is very similar to the Mac X and they have an American dealership.
Although not a TS (trailer-sailer), the Delphia 29 lift keel is something to drool over!
Their neat web site is at:
www.sportlake.com.pl
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Bobby T.-26X #4767
- Captain
- Posts: 906
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:48 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA
have you priced a 26' cabin cruiser lately that includes sleeping, galley, and head, goes 20mph, and also has back-up power to get back to port if the primary engine fails (i.e. sails)?
over $50K if you're lucky.
it's also light weight & trailerable so you can choose to keep it in dry storeage and not relegated to one water source.
the X/M is an excellent value that can do so many different things.
over $50K if you're lucky.
it's also light weight & trailerable so you can choose to keep it in dry storeage and not relegated to one water source.
the X/M is an excellent value that can do so many different things.
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Mark Prouty
- Admiral
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:52 am
- Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner
The darn nicest thing about the Macgregor powersailors is the ability to raise/lower the motor with power trim. It is excellent to just press the power trim button to lower the motor, turn the ignition key and go. This motor functionality beats lowering a little kicker mower by hand and then pull starting it.
Last summer I was with a fleet of other sailors. Little motors just couldn't push most boats against some high winds and waves. My boat didn't have a problem with this. I was not "weathered-in" as often. Also, I could keep up with even the fastest boats most of the time under sail. If someone got the better of me, I could just lower the motor and powersail.
Kevin picked-up on the past tense.
MOE!!
Last summer I was with a fleet of other sailors. Little motors just couldn't push most boats against some high winds and waves. My boat didn't have a problem with this. I was not "weathered-in" as often. Also, I could keep up with even the fastest boats most of the time under sail. If someone got the better of me, I could just lower the motor and powersail.
Kevin picked-up on the past tense.
MOE!!