last year because it didn't seem to take full advantage of the new model's mainsheet location. With neither a backstay nor a pedestal-mounted sheet to interfere, why not go for maximum shade? We had installed a 6' bimini on our I/O bowrider, so (just prior to selling that boat) we tried a test-fit on the Mac to see how far off it was in size. Although purportedly too wide for the Mac, it was perfect! So here's the ticket: order a 3-bow, 6' long, 79"-84" wide, 30"-36" high Hurricane Bimini Top from Overtons.com [item # 29793 if you want it in Sunbrella] and a set of the MacGregor genoa track bimini mounts from Bill or your favorite Mac dealer. I know the tracks on the Mac are only 72" apart -- but it will fit! And the wider the top, the more shade you get.
When folded back with its cover zipped on, it will rest right on top of the aft stanchions [put rubber caps on top of them] and snugly inside the lifelines [ours have vinyl covers] -- no interference with opening the helm seat, or boarding from the ladder, or dropping the mast onto the arch -- and no extra support poles needed. When up, it can be positioned anywhere along the length of the genoa track, depending on the angle of the sun. Even fully forward it doesn't conflict with the mainsheet. And it's the perfect height for a fixed-height bimini -- doesn't interfere with the boom on any point of sail, yet it is possible [for me, at 5'11"] to stand under it with only a bit of a slouch.
Again, this is not the top for you if you have an
-- but for some of us, it seems ideal. 
[on edit - for some reason when I first posted this, I was thinking that the pedestal-mounted mast support on the '03-04 M would pose a problem - obviously it wouldn't.... this bimini should work on any 26M]
