I’m not trying to tip the boat
, about the comment;
“These boats have 1300 lbs. of water ballast and 300 lbs. of permanent ballast”
I think that may have been a typo. That would put the total ballast at 1600#. If in fact that was used in the calculations then the righting force is wrong. The “M” only has 1450# total (1150 # water/ 300# fixed).
Even then the “X” is different from the “M”. Howie (zephyr101) has a 1997 “X”. The 1995 X has 1150 # and the 95-2002 “X” models have 1400# water ballast, which is 50# less than the “M”. The 26 “S” comes in at 1200 # of water ballast.
Blue Water Yachts out of Seattle, WA has done some excellent R&D on the X & M models.
1) They took a 1992 - 26 Classic and raised the headstay from the stock height of 22' to 27'. Very close to the masthead. This created a much larger more efficient 105% Jib. Then they added a custom masthead 180% asymmetrical spinnaker on a roller furling system! Check it out
2) Next they took a 26 “X” and added 3 ½ feet to the mast height and then raised the headstay to the original masthead height of 28'. To stiffen the rig they added a second spreader. Then they added a higher performance Main and 105% Jib!
3) Now enter the almost allusive Black Pearl “La Perla Noir” that is French for "The Black Pearl"). This is a “M” but she is not stock. She was boat built by Blue Water Yachts with the full support of the MacGregor factory. The biggest change to her was the dagger board. It now weighs in at 500#. The daggerboard weighs 77# and they added a 430# lead bulb to the bottom of the daggerboard!
Then take a look at all of the wonderful R&D completed by Highlander
For more information
MacGregor 26 M Specs
Blue Water Yachts
At the BWYachts website, click on the “Project Boats” link. When you click on the “La Perla Noir” link you will get a detailed drop down menu.
Enjoy
Graham
