MacGregorSailors.com

Seth08321 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 6:20 pm

Seth08321 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 7:16 pm My budget is fairly small def under 10K

Seth08321 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 6:20 pm

Russ wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:00 am You would be best to find someone with a sailboat to take you out. I've known many powerboaters who simply don't like the "work" involved in sailing.

Understand there is a major difference between the 26 S/D and the 26 X/M. One is a pure sailboat and the other a hybrid power/sailor.

leefrankpierce wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:37 am I do not know these guys but:
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/d ... 69061.html

The S is more of a "sailboat" and can handle camping duties.
The X is more of a powerboat with sails and is a water camper. We have had weekends where we never leave the slip.
The M tried to be just a bit more sailboat and a bit more water camper, but truthfully I have never been on one.
Would never expect an X or M to keep up with an S for pure sailing, but I would not expect an S to have a large motor either.

I have the X with a 120hp that can take my fully ballasted setup to 20mph and get us home if weather comes in.
Much faster if I drop the ballast.

So the question might be, do you also want a powerboat?

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 7:58 am

Russ wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:00 am You would be best to find someone with a sailboat to take you out. I've known many powerboaters who simply don't like the "work" involved in sailing.

Understand there is a major difference between the 26 S/D and the 26 X/M. One is a pure sailboat and the other a hybrid power/sailor.

Excellent points. Watched an old guy at the club come in last night after a solo sail on a 22 foot keel boat. Happy as a pig in slop. Took him 30 minutes to get the sails stowed, tie-up, and get her put to bed. He lost something overboard (looked like a bungee maybe, but went straight to the bottom). He was smiling and talking the whole time. He loves sailing.

I took a prospective buyer out awhile back that enjoyed the boating experience, but was not interested in trailering due to the setup/takedown processes. News flash; it’s not a power boat. Even in a slip, there is stuff to do besides tie it up and take the key when you leave.

You say you aren’t interested in a project, and your budget is $10k. And, your home waters get thin…. I agree with the 26S suggestion, or a similar swing keel boat. At $10k, an X or M will likely be a project. Big outboards are expensive to buy and expensive to own if you aren’t a DIY mechanic. So, while I agree that an X or M might suit the kids better, the other constraints are saying sailboat with a small affordable kicker.

Which brings us to sails. Look at our favorite online store, BWYachts.com and check the price of sails. In fact, check the price of lines, blocks, and anything that has “marine” in front of the name. There is a reason folks joke about BOAT being an acronym for being “bring on another thousand”.

Don’t get me wrong, boating is my happy place. And sailing is my favorite form of boating. But, it ain’t all free rose petals and champagne.

Find someone that will take you out in your sailing grounds. Make sure this is something you really want to do. Then, come to grip with the fact that you’re going to have to learn how to do boat projects, or your supply of extra cash is going to be tapped. All boats are continually falling apart, particularly those left in the water in a slip.

If you really love it, all of the hot days when the wind dies, broken rudders, torn sails, seasick guests, etc. will be just minor annoyances while you are enjoying sailing.

NiceAft wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 12:17 pm The “S” is a better sailer than an “X” or an “M”, but if you ever want more, i.e. spending some time aboard to cruise for a few days, or longer, then the “X” or “M" will be far more comfortable. Someday you may wish to cross the bay to travel the C&D Canal to cruise the Chesapeake.

Mannyc wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 7:51 am I have been searching for Macgregor 26 for the past year before picking up mine. In terms of budget @ under 10K it will be extremely rare to find a 26M anywhere near that price point unless its a real fixer upper, but I have noticed they seem to retain their value better than other variants.

For the 26X would be hard to find less than 10K in the Delaware area, not impossible but hard. If you don't mind going for a mini roundtrip the southern states ( NC,GA,FL) tend to have them at 7-9k.

I wasn't looking at the S but when placing Macgregor 26 under Facebook Marketplace they tend to pop up and most start at 9K and below. Can not provide much data on the D as I rarely clicked on them.

If your on a tight budget and don't mind missing this season, the bulk of the deals for your area tend to jump during Sept-October when most seem to sell since they do not want to deal with storing them ( usually I got told the same explanation that the boat is sitting in the front/back lawn taking up space and not getting used as often).

dlandersson wrote: ↑Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:35 am Ok, you shold be loking for an S - with possibly an eye out for an X with a motivated seller. I say that bc your kids will likely like the powerboat aspects of an X. Just sayn'

Since they are not paying they get what they get and like it

Seth08321 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 7:16 pm My budget is fairly small def under 10K