No 26M on Strictly Sail Chicago show?

[Jeff Ritsema]

My wife and I returned yesterday from the Chicago show, and we were able to inspect the M26. This was our first opportunity to actually touch and feel and climb around on the "mechandise".
Now comes the pain....haggeling a deal and writing a check!

Why not investigate further if you weren't pleased? Look at other boats, ie. the Mac 26X (used) or the Mast 28, both available through Powersailing in Ohio. You are welcome aboard my boat, Mast 28,in a few weeks ( on Lk Michigan) when the weather breaks. Big investment in $ and in future time committment. Be sure before you leap on this one. Just a thought.
Jeff.

[jda]

Recently I had an opportunity to also get on board a 26 M for the first time. I've watched the dvd, I'm pyshed up about it, but when I saw it I was disappointed. I have never been on an X and am a newbie to the whole sailing thing, but I thought it was small. The cockpit seemed small. The cabin seemed really small. I was starting to try and picture what contortions I would have to make to crawl in and out of the aft berth. The head on the M? How is that supposed to work? Do you back in and sit? If you are in there, is there room to close the door? I haven't ruled it out, but it was disappointing and it will increase the sales job necessary for me on my Admiral.

Also, I did send for information from South Shore Marina in New Jersey. Got the brochure and literature today for the Mast 28. It looks like a very nice boat and it better be for the price. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person someday and I hope it will not be disappointing. Since I'm not in a hurry for a boat at the moment I'm able to bide my time and continue to wait for the day when I'm an empty nester and there will be only two of us sailing away off into the sunset. Just my two cents worth.

John A (JDA)

[wayfarer]

I had also watched the X video available here http://www.always-online.com/hardtlefam ... efault.htm in addition to the M DVD.

I went and checked out a 2000 X last weekend. My impression was similar, the cabin seemed much smaller than in the video (slamjammer is right about the smallish people/children in the video). I'm 6' 230 lbs and then after looking in the head, the sheer mechanics of using that thing had me wondering

All in all, it looked do-able, and after months of research, I'm convinced that I'm not going to find more boat for my money.

After lurking around this board for a while and seeing the boat in person, I'm now considering a used 2000-2003 26X - mainly because I like the folding ladder in the cabin, and larger ballast valve on the transom, with dammed air vent under the V-berth, and the kick-up centerboard.

I also grew up on a lake waterskiing almost everyday in the summers. I'm thinking that I can get a used boat with a small or no motor, and add a 70-90 hp next summer. It sounds to me like many people on this board have had success with this setup.

I realize the Mac is not a ski boat, but it sure would be nice to be able to use it like one on a whim. There is nothing quite like slaloming on a lake of glass in the early mornings or late evenings.

Can anyone tell me how the X handles with a 70-90 motor with the mast up, towing a slalom skier? Is that wishful thinking?

[Divecoz]

I haven't had mine in the water yet but from all I read here. . .
I would say No . I am about your size and I too have being skiing for awhile . I prefer to ski at no less than 28 mph oh I can do it sloweerr but its a "drag" Getting up would be two for sure and dropping one. . .I would think even with a 90 you'd all but stop the boat I bet you could get up on a pair of tricks though not the same as slice the pie but you'd be on the water and drawing alot of attention doing step overs and the like

[Mark Prouty]

I realize the Mac is not a ski boat, but it sure would be nice to be able to use it like one on a whim. There is nothing quite like slaloming on a lake of glass in the early mornings or late evenings.

Can anyone tell me how the X handles with a 70-90 motor with the mast up, towing a slalom skier? Is that wishful thinking?

I have to throttle my 115 back some with a wakeboarder. My Mac pulls a wakeboarder up instantly. Course the young feller on the wakeboard only weighs just over 100 pounds. I'm speculating that properly unloaded, you get up slaloming with a 90hp or at least on two and drop one. I wonder what the top end speed is with a 90. I agree that around 28 or maybe a little less is ideal for slaloming. Back in my day I was pretty good at it. I jumped the waves and put up a pretty good rooster tail. Started a friendly fued with some friends in another boat when I soaked them with that rooster tail. I could even hold the tow rope with my foot. No handed.

Wakeboarding (nope. never saw a sailboat doing that before!)

Most times no one else drives my boat so I haven't tried it myself.

There has been days out there when the sailing was great during the day and wake boarding great in the evening. After a day like that, cruising in my son we have discussed what an incredible boat this is almost in disbelief.

Course with a big motor you have to be careful. She'll get squirly under certain wave conditions and you gotta throttle her back.

Just thinkin' about it brings on the Cabin Fever.

Back in my day I was pretty good at it. I jumped the waves and put up a pretty good rooster tail. Started a friendly fued with some friends in another boat when I soaked them with that rooster tail. I could even hold the tow rope with my foot. No handed.

No more bragging. I promise.

[Mark Prouty]

Also, I did send for information from South Shore Marina in New Jersey. Got the brochure and literature today for the Mast 28. It looks like a very nice boat and it better be for the price. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person someday and I hope it will not be disappointing.
John A (JDA)

Review of Mast 28

[wayfarer]

Mark,

I was hoping I'd hear from you.. you also spend your time on the Great Lakes it sounds like.

What's the top-end speed with your 115? And how much does that motor weigh?

Thanks

[jda]

Thanks Mark for the link. I had read that before and followed that link. It seems like a very nice boat. But $$$. Look forward to seeing it in person. Previously I had been considering a C-Dory and had not considered a sailboat. The Mac is much cheaper than the other two. The C-Dory and the Mast 28 are up in the same price range. So, it just depends on my situation at the time of purchase, which way to go.

Do you get up this way much? North Eastern Minnesota? Lots of good boating around here.

You got much snow in Madison? We lost a lot to some melting recently. But, March is typically our biggest snow month. Ice doens't go off the lakes until mid to late April.

John

[Mark Prouty]

Thanks Mark for the link. I had read that before and followed that link. It seems like a very nice boat. But $$$. Look forward to seeing it in person. Previously I had been considering a C-Dory and had not considered a sailboat. The Mac is much cheaper than the other two. The C-Dory and the Mast 28 are up in the same price range. So, it just depends on my situation at the time of purchase, which way to go.

Do you get up this way much? North Eastern Minnesota? Lots of good boating around here.

You got much snow in Madison? We lost a lot to some melting recently. But, March is typically our biggest snow month. Ice doens't go off the lakes until mid to late April.

John

North Eastern Minnesota is choice. Nice place to live. I'd like to sail Lake of the Woods. I created a new topic on the subject
Lake of the Woods
Winters here have been bad for the last few years. Snow melts/freezes. No snow now. Been boarding on the artifical stuff.

[southwind]

This board shows that there is many different people with different needs. I am selling my 2001 26X with a 50HP Honda if anyone is interested. I am buying the new 26M since the wife and I are intending in sending it to Europe to live on and cruise the canals for a year or so. We have had the 26X for over 2 years and love it, but feel that the new style can be CONVERTED to a better living platform.

Sailing and meeting new friends is the name of the game and it's all good.

[Mark Prouty]

This board shows that there is many different people with different needs. I am selling my 2001 26X with a 50HP Honda if anyone is interested. I am buying the new 26M since the wife and I are intending in sending it to Europe to live on and cruise the canals for a year or so. We have had the 26X for over 2 years and love it, but feel that the new style can be CONVERTED to a better living platform.

Sailing and meeting new friends is the name of the game and it's all good.

You should sell your boat by advertising on this board. Helps Heath, who runs the board, keep it going.

http://macgregorsailors.com/photoads/viewads.php

I bought my boat through an ad on this board.