Dissapointing 2005 26M

[richandlori]

Does that make sense or am I just channeling Chip???

No I agree.

Unfortunately these type of items are what gives the Mac the Budget Boat Image...but again....the Boat of the Year Catilina 30 is $100K for 3 NO MORE interrior living space......

[Terry]

Well, those pictures are enough to make one cry if it happened to them.
When I look back to my purchase I count my luck stars, only a few minor blemishes, nothing to sweat about and I did not inspect it before delivery. I guess I was another one of those stupid consumers who expected the same quality assurance as we get buying a car and went in blind. Fortunately I got a sound boat, but it could have been worse.
That was 2003, fast forward to the present and one would be amazed the amount I have learned about sailboats in general since and the MacGregor specific from this board. There are things about the Mac I still don't like (skinny beam & lack of finishings) and I have come to realize that some of the Mac's greatest assets are also it biggest liabilities, but it is all about compromise. Today I do not mind tending to the details and finishing it to my tastes, actually enjoy it.
I have heard a few horror stories about Hunters too and the same goes for other production boats, you get the odd lemon. I have been over every minute square inch of my boat inside and out while polishing & cleaning/waxing hull and topsides and while gelcoat painting the bilges (sanded & cleaned first) and I have not found any defects or thin spots, the hull is thick & sound but it is also one of the first 100 hulls of the new '03 M #71 I think. I guess as production moves on bad work habits take place but when a new model rolls out the first production run gets a more thorough inspection. I have nothing to complain about other than my pedestal snapped off at the flange, but it was replaced with a beefier one free by the dealer.
I bought a new Blazer in '95, great little SUV, yet a co-worker bought the same vehicle and had nothing but problems, real lemmon, go figure. I was so happy with mine I went out and replaced it with a Trailblazer EXT and after two years am very happy with it, same with my Mac, after 4 seasons I have come to appreciate the little boat for what it is and isn't but also learned how to distinguish between needs & wants. What I want I don't need especially now that I have learned how well the Mac suits my boating style, region, climate and budget.

[NiceAft]

Now that we have seen the physical problems with the boat, what are the specific problems with the engine?

Once we read the specific problems with the engine, what are the problems that the combined annoyances created to stop one from enjoying sailing?

I had big problems with Nice Aft when I got her. The difference in this case was not the dealer shirking his/her responsibilities, but his designated outfitter not doing a good job. Leaks (from the installed ports), & wiring problems. The dealer came through with gold stars. In the scenario which we are reading here, the dealer may not be acting in good faith. Then it becomes necessary to enlist legal help. Has this happened?

When my nephew was two he had a bib that said "SPIT HAPPENS". It does, but how you clean it up makes a big difference. Sometimes you have to take big steps. Teddy Roosevelt said "walk softly, but carry a big stick"

I don't know about now, but a good threat to the dealer may have been (ask a lawyer) to tell him/her that you are going to report your problems to different Internet groups in the hope of finding a solution. If the dealer name happens to come up, well, "I wasn't complaining, I was just explaining certain problems with fiberglass & other things, and was just inquiring how to rectify certain problems from people who are interested in boats" A local paper may be interested? The BBB definitely should be involved.

If you feel that you have been wronged; do something about it!

If you've done all of that, then, in the words of Rosann Rosannadanna, Never mind!

If you haven't, well it may not be to late to start. It's cold outside in the east, but a good picket line with friends can start getting much attention.

Ray

[Trav White]

This is why I bought a used Mac. The cheapest of the cheapest. It already had several scratches, 2 all the way down to the glass. The previous owner cut out the helm seat to fit in an ice chest. etc.... But getting it for $3,000 less than anyone else was asking for an '02X at the time still made it a bargain. I have since put a 2 inch crack in it that is worse than any of the scratches or crazing. But I still had a blast sailing with my son 2 weeks ago.

Would I rather have a nice Hunter or Catalina? Probably, but I don't have an extra $50k laying around.

[AWKIII]

Geeze.

Was this boat delivered to you? Did you pick it up? Didn't you notice that mess either way?

If you bought it new, you had a warranty.

If the manufacturer and/or dealer did not assist in correcting the situation then I would have high tailed it to an attorney.

What a disgusting mess.

If all of this is true, then I cannot believe the dealer would let this boat off the lot. It would be on a fast train to California as it is obviously something that cannot be sold.

It is hard for me to fathom how anyone could sell this to another person and then walk away from it.

We have had small issues with boats coming in from the factory. It is to be expected. But I will say that MacGregor has always backed up their product when required.

AWK

[NiceAft]

Trav,

Stop thinking small

If you are going to dream, dream BIG! ........... BENETEAU

If you want to achieve the improbable, attempt the impossible

Ray

[Cammo23]

Shouldn't we be able to trust a dealer to check the boat over prior to purchase and fix any problems? Good old fashioned customer service comes to mind (although, quite rare in the 21st century)...

I'm not sure that I understand the question. I really like the phrase posted by paj637, you get what you inspect, not what you expect. The real issues arise from hidden defects or damage, which the original poster has cited. If you have a local dealer you can take it back for repairs. Otherwise, we need to study carefully for any potential problems:

Yes, we expect a dealer has "fully commissioned" the boat.
But who's at fault if we don't inspect it before writing the check?

Sorry, i will explain myself further. I would expect my dealer to check the product he is selling to ensure it is in new and good condition as it arrives at his place of business. It is in his, Macgregor Sailboats and his customer’s best interest to send it back to the Mac Factory if it is defective. As a customer i would expect this is part of the service for which i am paying the dealer for.

However, i do believe 3 parties are to blame for RJS being dissatisfied:
1) The factory for releasing a unit that is less than acceptable,
2) The dealer for on selling the same
3) RJS for accepting the piece of cr@p

With that being said, as RJS has the most to lose, it seems pretty obvious where the finger should be pointed.

Can't help feeling bad for him though. It is still my dream to purchase a new Mac and has been for the past 24 months and still will be in the next 6 months. I would be shattered and bitter if the same happened to me.

[rjs11116]

The transom picture should be rotated 90degrees clockwise (My bad ... now corrected ~fc)
The view is from the port side rear berth notice the water dripping from the liner I only found this because I was trying to find a leak that let in 1/2 to 2 gallons of water depending on how much rain fell
The stern light housing was cracked and caulked on permanently
The crazing is between the starboard windows

Ah yes the lawyer solution "Get the money you deserve"
with Pain and Suffering I could use the Beneteau as my next boat's dingy!

Just Kidding

A decent boat to start with would have been nice.

I don't mind the lightly built aspect ,it's the poorly built aspect I don't like.

These pictures Frank posted for me are a few of many I sent the dealer and factory.

Thanks Deja_vu I thought maybe it was just me

Thanks to all for your responses and the therapy
Roy

[deja_vu]

The biggest problem is now you are way outside your warranty, so getting the factory to do anything about it is going to be hard. If you've got the documentation to back up that you tried to get it fixed during the warranty period you might be able to get somewhere with it though.

If not, well, even if you figure in the cost to fix it "right" you'll be into it way less than any comparable boat. And so eventually you'll need to either come to terms with the fact that, yes you got a bad boat that you'll have to pay out your own pocket to fix, but that you can then get years and years of enjoyment out of, or as one of the other guys mentioned, sell it and move on.

Personally I'd do all I could to get it fixed on their dime. If that didn't come through I'd still fix it myself, call it a lesson learned and then enjoy the heck out of my boat. Maybe if she doesn't have a name yet call it

"Once Bitten"

[albion]

It may be half the cost, but they still are around 20k. Do you expect a 20k car to have defects

It is about 20k, and half the cost of the next boat, correct.

I dont expect a 20k car to have defects, because I can buy a 20k car without defects from several auto makers.....

I cant buy a 20k boat, except from one maker.....

Does that make sense or am I just channeling Chip???

Cati. I can see your point on the low price and only one maker. BUT thats a really lousy repair.I wonder if it was damaged in transit and dealer made a quick repair job. I cant believe it left the factory like that.

[albion]

I just send an Email to Bill B4S asking him if he ever got one this bad from MacGregor. Also asked him what he would do about it. I hope he will tell his response.

[Paul S]

I just send an Email to Bill B4S asking him if he ever got one this bad from MacGregor. Also asked him what he would do about it. I hope he will tell his response.

I saw several bad units at my dealer..we refused our first one (REEEALLL bad). Of course the unit we got was no prize either.. Seems like every 26M that I have seen had some significant defect. I honestly think if I had to wait to find a New Mac that was defect free and up to my quality standards...I would be waiting a long time.

Seems like some units have more issues than other ones.. but to find a flaw-free 26M I think is virtually impossible

Paul

[Divecoz]

I just send an Email to Bill B4S asking him if he ever got one this bad from MacGregor. Also asked him what he would do about it. I hope he will tell his response.

I saw several bad units at my dealer..we refused our first one (REEEALLL bad). Of course the unit we got was no prize either.. Seems like every 26M that I have seen had some significant defect. I honestly think if I had to wait to find a New Mac that was defect free and up to my quality standards...I would be waiting a long time.

Seems like some units have more issues than other ones.. but to find a flaw-free 26M I think is virtually impossible

Paul

Paul tell me where and what to look for. I am just not finding anything.

[Gazmn]

So Sorry RJ...

I don't know what can be done two years later. I wonder what kind of offset you would have to offer to sell it used with that damage.

If there are any dated pictures or other documentation that would support you trying to fix this while under warranty and, or, can prove that you received it this way; I'd still try to approach Roger through friendly intermediaries - that can perhaps be offered by some on this board.

I'd look at the lowered price you'd have to take in selling it as a bennie and see if Roger could accomodate you somehow. Discount on new old stock Anything...

I'd be pi$$ everyday I looked at that transom. Some things I just can't get over.

I bought mine used and blind. I've accepted I have a lot of work to do. And have been a bit lucky & handy. However, I enjoy the process, thanks to this board.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

-Gaz

[Paul S]

Paul tell me where and what to look for. I am just not finding anything.

This thread is the first of many that I have posted.
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=334

Some pics of the initial delivery
http://home.comcast.net/~testdelete/mac ... index.html

In a nutshell.. Have yet to see a blue hull without any scratches, flaws, chips, horrible repairs (ours had all of the above). Plus ours had insane swirl marks on the entire hull. The overall gelcoat looked like drunk monkeys took a sander to the hull.

our first (rejected) M had a crack in the galley top, many chips in the hull. It was so bad the dealer ended up using it as a demo unit and didnt sell it new.

There was wax residue everywhere. Various leaks (fix one, find another)

rest of the issues were prep / install issues. Almost everything ordered was not installed (they were purchased 'installed').

Was just a huge buzzkill for a brand new boat to say the least. At least we got the hull we did..the first hull was horrible.

Lets not get started on the motor drama... LOL

Paul