Have you ever had the itch to sell your 26M/X and buy a "true" sailboat?

[Outlander]

Hello,

Long time lurker here, I have gained a ton of great knowledge from this forum over the years. I sold my San Juan 21 four years ago and bought a 26M (wanted something bigger to say overnight, etc), which I had wanted to own for many years. Now in my fourth season, I have made probably every possible mistake and have learned it's quirks! my wife and I had a ton of fun with the boat. However, I still miss the sailing capabilities of my San Juan. As a result, I have researched the possible alternatives (true sailboats) in the 26' range but when I look at the boats in the same price range as my 26M, they are dated and there are so many maintenance items (decks, keels, older sails, limited trailering, etc). And to top it all off...I feel a sense of betrayal to my 26M LOL. It doesn't feel right . At the end of the day, perhaps the sailing capabilities of the 26M are worth accepting, considering the cabin space and motor-cruising abilities are virtually unmatched in this category. Maybe the grass just seems greener. Also, I only do lake sailing.

So my question is....have you ever looked at moving back to a true sailboat, and if you did, were there regrets? And what particular model did you end up buying?

Thanks

[Russ]

Nice to hear from a longtime lurker.

Without a doubt, the 26X/M are terrible sail performers.

For me... I don't care. I'm not in a hurry to race others and having those horses back there gives me a lot of confidence.

Yea, I miss a keel boat performance. But I can't TRAILER one to my lake. You won't find a boat with this much room in a trailerable sailboat (or powerboat).

I think a compromise would be to buy a sailing dinghy or some small sunfish-like boat this is fun to sail. The go back to the Mac.

[kmclemore]

Ditto on Russ’s “Nice to hear from a longtime lurker.”

As to your question, no, I’ve not been tempted. I used to race a C&C 36, and although it was a wonderful live-aboard and true-sailing boat, it was, frankly, a costly headache. Haul outs, bottom painting, brightwork maintenance, working on that Yanmar diesel in horribly cramped conditions… ugh… expensive and not fun.

Moving to the Mac was a compromise, but one I happily accepted. It’s loads cheaper, I can haul it anywhere for only the cost of tow-car gasoline, sleeps basically the same number of folks, and motors 3x faster when I want to get somewhere quickly.

When you work out the $$ costs + personal maintenance hours versus hours of enjoyment, the Mac will win hands-down over any cruising sailboat.

Now, if you want to downsize to a Catalina 22 or similar because you don’t want/need a true live-aboard, then yes, that’s the only comparable true-sailing experience boat I’d consider.

[pitchpolehobie]

owner here. Ive thought about a heavier boat in the 30 to 33ft range to sail on great lakes full time. However...I have an excellent inland OH lake 15min from work where I dock my 26x and can sail an hour or two after work and get back to dock easily. I can do my own launching/recovery and store in my driveway for free. I think the cost/fun ratio is pretty maximized with the 26x/m/s/d and 25 mac's. Going up any size would increase costs from docking to launching to fuel to storage to rigging to sails in a logarithmic fashion. For what we pay I have a boat thats comfortable for a week of island hopping on Erie and enjoyable for evening sails w friends close to home. Having said that Im always watching CL.

[Herschel]

Do I ever ponder the idea of a different boat despite my 20 year ownership of my '98 26X? Yes, I do ponder it. Not a "regular" keel sailboat, though. My wife and I have logged over 32,000 miles with our travel trailer. Our temptation is to have a small houseboat to cruise on Florida waters. Or, to avoid fulltime slip fees (which are not that unaffordable for us) , but to simplify upkeep and have more trailerable flexibility (I am nearing my 80th birthday), I do think about the 17-ft catboats with swing keels. I think Compacc makes them. I don't miss the performance of keel sailboats. I enjoyed my 18-ft Hobie with Magnum wings and trapezes for 8 years, and our 13-ft Hobie Wave for another 8 years. So, the thrill of maximum sailing performance and speed on the water has taken its place in our fondest memories. Now, having lived a long life filled with its own stressors (Vietnam service, 34 years in the Navy/Naval Reserve, 35 years providing mental healthcare predominately to trauma patients), just getting out on the lake in our boat is a dream fulfilled. If weather and energy allows for setting the sails and taking a few tacks around the lake, all the better. But, as a veteran of one Newport Bermuda race and regular racing in the Chesapeake in my distant youth, I can understand that such sailing might still be in one's blood. Good luck with your pondering. If my experience is representative of old sailors, there will come a time when a broad reach in a 10 knot breeze in any kind of a sailboat at whatever speed will feel like heaven itself.

[NiceAft]

Do I ever ponder the idea of a different boat despite my 20 year ownership of my '98 26X? Yes, I do ponder it. Not a "regular" keel sailboat, though. My wife and I have logged over 32,000 miles with our travel trailer. Our temptation is to have a small houseboat to cruise on Florida waters. Or, to avoid fulltime slip fees (which are not that unaffordable for us) , but to simplify upkeep and have more trailerable flexibility (I am nearing my 80th birthday), I do think about the 17-ft catboats with swing keels. I think Compacc makes them. I don't miss the performance of keel sailboats. I enjoyed my 18-ft Hobie with Magnum wings and trapezes for 8 years, and our 13-ft Hobie Wave for another 8 years. So, the thrill of maximum sailing performance and speed on the water has taken its place in our fondest memories. Now, having lived a long life filled with its own stressors (Vietnam service, 34 years in the Navy/Naval Reserve, 35 years providing mental healthcare predominately to trauma patients), just getting out on the lake in our boat is a dream fulfilled. If weather and energy allows for setting the sails and taking a few tacks around the lake, all the better. But, as a veteran of one Newport Bermuda race and regular racing in the Chesapeake in my distant youth, I can understand that such sailing might still be in one's blood. Good luck with your pondering. If my experience is representative of old sailors, there will come a time when a broad reach in a 10 knot breeze in any kind of a sailboat at whatever speed will feel like heaven itself.

Well said.

[dlandersson]

I do this every winter (esp. the Seaward 32) and I keep coming back to - no other sailboat lets me do all the things my X does. Sail, tube, overnight, anchor off a beach, motor around, etc.

So my question is....have you ever looked at moving back to a true sailboat, and if you did, were there regrets? And what particular model did you end up buying?

Thanks

[dlandersson]

Nicely put

I think the cost/fun ratio is pretty maximized with the 26x/m/s/d and 25 mac's.

[Outlander]

Wow! Thanks a lot for all the excellent and thoughtful feedback and suggestions. The reality is, I love my 26M and I'm a fair weather sailor these days. Plus, my wife and I often go out after work for a sunset motor cruise around the lake, while enjoying charcuterie and wine. As a few of you mentioned, there's also the added expenses of a 26+ keelboat. Judging by the other keelboats in my marina (and area), most keelboats in the 26M price range look tired and salty, so there would inevitably be financial surprises in that regard. Also, I suspect it would be a lot more difficult to sell a bigger keelboat if I didn't like it. Aside from having the Suzuki 70 winterized ($175) every year, I spend next to nothing on her.....even upgraded the OEM sail this year which actually made a difference. And as Russ mentioned, I could always get a small, inexpensive sailboat to get my sailing fix since there is a reservoir 10 minutes form my house, right here in Calgary, where I can sail for next to nothing ($300cdn per season, including trailer stall)...whole still going out the lake every weekend to have fun on the 26.

Thanks again!

Jeremy

[Stickinthemud57]

By "true" boat, I am assuming the OP is talking about a traditional keel boat that could be considered a "blue water" boat. I own a 26S, but I think the principle is the same.

Lord knows there are plenty of sailboats of any brand and description available for a song or close to it, so initial cost is not really a deciding factor.

Several things put the MacGregor, X, M, S, or D way ahead of these types of boat:

-Trailerability. I'm not just talking being able to put it on a trailer and move it. I mean being able to do so easily, without having to hire a marine service, and tow it behind a vehicle with a 3500 lb towing capacity.
-In the case of the X or M, the ability to kick on the motor and cruise at 20 mph.
-The sense of peace that comes with knowing you are far less likely to get stuck hard aground than with a traditional keel boat.
-Costs and complications of maintenance. So much easier to service an outboard than an inboard. No worries about rusted keel bolts, leaks at thru-hulls (for the most part), and where to get parts thanks to the good folks at Blue Water Yachts.
-Superior sleeping configuration. You have to get into a much larger boat to even approach the roominess of the queen sized berth in the 26X, M, S, or D.
-This forum. Maybe there are forums devoted to other specific brands and models, but I am unaware of them.

I like to look at boats on Craigslist, but I have yet to see one that I would prefer over mine.

[NiceAft]

Outlander said:

I could always get a small, inexpensive sailboat to get my sailing fix

[kmclemore]

Outlander said:

I could always get a small, inexpensive sailboat to get my sailing fix

Or.... a nice little Boston Whaler 4.6 Harpoon!

[pitchpolehobie]

I have a small Hobie Bravo when I wanna get some exciting sailing in. great for 1-2 ppl and I can single hand it and launch/recover all on my own. Its a great boat for newbies too (no boom)

[Outlander]

By "true" boat, I am assuming the OP is talking about a traditional keel boat that could be considered a "blue water" boat. I own a 26S, but I think the principle is the same.

Yes, but not necessarily blue water….something like a Catalina 25 (swing), Seaward 26, Precision 23, etc True sailboats, outboard motors, and still able to trailer if needed (which I never do other than launching/retrieving for the season). At the end of the day, though, I’m not being realistic as I really do love my 26M and I’m sure the novelty of a different boat would wear off quickly if I were to get rid of her. This thread has talked me into simply looking for a smaller, inexpensive sailboat so that I can fart around on a nearby reservoir and get my sailing thrills.

[NiceAft]

By "true" boat, I am assuming the OP is talking about a traditional keel boat that could be considered a "blue water" boat. I own a 26S, but I think the principle is the same.

Yes, but not necessarily blue water….something like a Catalina 25 (swing), Seaward 26, Precision 23, etc True sailboats, outboard motors, and still able to trailer if needed (which I never do other than launching/retrieving for the season). At the end of the day, though, I’m not being realistic as I really do love my 26M and I’m sure the novelty of a different boat would wear off quickly if I were to get rid of her. This thread has talked me into simply looking for a smaller, inexpensive sailboat so that I can fart around on a nearby reservoir and get my sailing thrills.

Stick with it.

If time does not allow it now, it will in the future. The trailering ability of your gives great choices. Pick up and go where you wish. We recently got back from a seventeen day cruise on NiceAft, crisscrossing the Chesapeake. We trailered to Havre De Grace, MD. What a great boat to do that with.

Passing remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore, MD.