I'm just curious to hear theories (or facts, if known) as to why MacGregor replaced the 26X with the 26M. From most accounts, it seems like the 26X was selling like hotcakes... why mess with it?
1) Were 26X sales slacking off, and a new, exciting product was needed to spur sales?
2) Was it a liability issue (noting the permanent ballast in the 26M)?
3) Something else?
I'm just confused as to why Roger would make such radical design changes to such a good selling boat... of course, no offense to 26M owners (it's a great boat... we just liked the 26X better).
I can't help wondering why, instead of what is essentially a completely new boat, they couldn't have kept the basic 26X design and implemented some improvements, calling it a 26XmkII or something like that.
--Mike
Why was the 26X Taken out of Production?
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Tom Root
- Captain
- Posts: 560
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:39 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
IMHO- I have seen alot of people postulate this very same issue, someone may have pegged it, others may have been in left field somewhere, the fact is....unless Roger himself reveals why, it's all fiction.
The molds do wear out, from heating as the chemical reacts while a boat is cured in the plug, and distortion etc. can happen, and just to change!
These words came out of Rogers mouth, and I can attest to that!
I was at a factory tour in Rogers office, 2001, I believe, and only saw a small scale model and a computer design on his computer in his office. He talked a little about the new M, and I think it was not even named that as yet! When it comes right down to it, Roger owns the company and steers it in the direction he sees fit!
As the saying goes, the only thing that remains constant, is change!
Personally, I prefer the X over an M boat, at the time I was buying, it appealed to both the 1st mate, and myself over the M model. But others out there prefer the M, and what it offers....as what was said so well at other times on here.... different strokes for different folks!
The molds do wear out, from heating as the chemical reacts while a boat is cured in the plug, and distortion etc. can happen, and just to change!
These words came out of Rogers mouth, and I can attest to that!
I was at a factory tour in Rogers office, 2001, I believe, and only saw a small scale model and a computer design on his computer in his office. He talked a little about the new M, and I think it was not even named that as yet! When it comes right down to it, Roger owns the company and steers it in the direction he sees fit!
As the saying goes, the only thing that remains constant, is change!
Personally, I prefer the X over an M boat, at the time I was buying, it appealed to both the 1st mate, and myself over the M model. But others out there prefer the M, and what it offers....as what was said so well at other times on here.... different strokes for different folks!
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Frank C
Mike,
Nobody can quote "facts" on your questions except Roger, and he ain't talkin'. Therefore, following "answers" are purely speculation and opinions.
In recent years, there have been a half-dozen examples where the 26X capsized, broached, or turtled with a large, inexperienced crew, at least twice with loss of life. Maybe those potential liabilities pushed him to a new design?
----- Actually, I doubt this, since the M's capsize potentials appear similar to, not better than, the X. The extra ballast in the M was clearly an afterthought, late in the testing process. Again just a guess, the fixed ballast is likely necessary to offset the heavier mast.
In the later years, the X faced increasing competition from the ever-increasing population of resales?
----- I doubt this too. If so, how would Catalina continue the 30-footer in face of a used boat market of 7,000? Used boats are marginally competitive with new boats, representing a separate market sub-segment. Used boat buyers are generally marginal as "new boat" customers, and pure "new boat" customers won't consider used. Eight hundred new Macs per year is a pittance in the USA boating market, let alone the very healthy international markets.
Roger was enthralled with having created a new market segment, and simultaneously embarrassed by continuing industry criticism of Mac-X sailing handicaps over 350?
------ The Mac 25 design won a Sailing Hall of Fame award. Late in his career, Roger had gained industry recognition for a great "boat design," and had also accomplished financial and business success of a great product design (the 26X). However, the "product design" success was ridiculed by the general boating industry. It's not such a stretch to imagine that Macgregor hopes to combine product success with industry accolades, right?
True answers will take time to appear, but I'd guess that the M is not even close to mature on either account.
Nobody can quote "facts" on your questions except Roger, and he ain't talkin'. Therefore, following "answers" are purely speculation and opinions.
In recent years, there have been a half-dozen examples where the 26X capsized, broached, or turtled with a large, inexperienced crew, at least twice with loss of life. Maybe those potential liabilities pushed him to a new design?
----- Actually, I doubt this, since the M's capsize potentials appear similar to, not better than, the X. The extra ballast in the M was clearly an afterthought, late in the testing process. Again just a guess, the fixed ballast is likely necessary to offset the heavier mast.
In the later years, the X faced increasing competition from the ever-increasing population of resales?
----- I doubt this too. If so, how would Catalina continue the 30-footer in face of a used boat market of 7,000? Used boats are marginally competitive with new boats, representing a separate market sub-segment. Used boat buyers are generally marginal as "new boat" customers, and pure "new boat" customers won't consider used. Eight hundred new Macs per year is a pittance in the USA boating market, let alone the very healthy international markets.
Roger was enthralled with having created a new market segment, and simultaneously embarrassed by continuing industry criticism of Mac-X sailing handicaps over 350?
------ The Mac 25 design won a Sailing Hall of Fame award. Late in his career, Roger had gained industry recognition for a great "boat design," and had also accomplished financial and business success of a great product design (the 26X). However, the "product design" success was ridiculed by the general boating industry. It's not such a stretch to imagine that Macgregor hopes to combine product success with industry accolades, right?
True answers will take time to appear, but I'd guess that the M is not even close to mature on either account.
Since this is about opinions I will add mine. I think Roger does listen to his customers base. I've been on this board for a few years now and own the X.
The one thing that was a common theme before the M came out was what a substandard sailboat the X was, and how cheaply made it was. We all loved our boats but the complaining was loud. Every week someone would chime in and say "Roger Why don't you make a better pointing sailboat", "Roger the aft bunk is useless because you can't access it", "Roger your interior cushion are so cheap why can't you make them better, "Roger all that interior plastic makes the boat look cold and cheap", "Roger with everything so open it feels like a cave when I'm sitting down below" ...
Well I think he was listening to us and his answer is the M. Roger has tried to make a better sailboat that still keep his customers happy with 15 to 20 mph motoring capabilities, at a reasonable price. He has tried to give his customers more choices with adding a blue and white hull. He added that nice plaque instead of the cheap sticker on the X to identify the Macgregor name. The interior of the M is nicely finished and has a richer appearance then the X. The color scheme is more up to date with what other boats are showing, the mirror makes the cabin feel spacious yet by adding carpeting to the walls and changed the lay out to give the boat a more homey feel.
Please don't get me wrong I know it is human nature to complain and criticize others for trying something new, but give the man a break. I'm sure he is listening to us right now and is already taken our complaints (I mean suggestions: wink:), and is either refining the M or scraping it for something else, but I sure when he does finally elimanates the M some of use will look back the good old days and proclaim how wonderful the M was compaired to the ????.
God Speed
Dave
The one thing that was a common theme before the M came out was what a substandard sailboat the X was, and how cheaply made it was. We all loved our boats but the complaining was loud. Every week someone would chime in and say "Roger Why don't you make a better pointing sailboat", "Roger the aft bunk is useless because you can't access it", "Roger your interior cushion are so cheap why can't you make them better, "Roger all that interior plastic makes the boat look cold and cheap", "Roger with everything so open it feels like a cave when I'm sitting down below" ...
Well I think he was listening to us and his answer is the M. Roger has tried to make a better sailboat that still keep his customers happy with 15 to 20 mph motoring capabilities, at a reasonable price. He has tried to give his customers more choices with adding a blue and white hull. He added that nice plaque instead of the cheap sticker on the X to identify the Macgregor name. The interior of the M is nicely finished and has a richer appearance then the X. The color scheme is more up to date with what other boats are showing, the mirror makes the cabin feel spacious yet by adding carpeting to the walls and changed the lay out to give the boat a more homey feel.
Please don't get me wrong I know it is human nature to complain and criticize others for trying something new, but give the man a break. I'm sure he is listening to us right now and is already taken our complaints (I mean suggestions: wink:), and is either refining the M or scraping it for something else, but I sure when he does finally elimanates the M some of use will look back the good old days and proclaim how wonderful the M was compaired to the ????.
God Speed
Dave
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Tony D-26X_SusieQ
- First Officer
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:20 am
- Location: Mayo, Maryland
