Considering the classics

[K9Kampers]

Currently own an X, but lately have been thinking about the "classics", as in S or D. Are there any former X or M owners that can chime in on the benefits of the Mac classics over the newer models?

[Catigale]

definitely talk to the NETS group since there are always a pile of the classic boats on the outings you can check out.

They are the ones out in front on all the sails, the white hulled Xs next, and the blue hulled Ms take all the nice sailing pictures of our transoms

[Moe]

If it helps, I have copies of the brochure scans from Bob White's now defunct MacGregor website for the 26D and 26S.

We have friends with a 26S they bought new and have taken to the North Channel many of the past 18 or so years, sometimes spending six or more weeks at a time there. With the swing centerboard, it may not be quite as fast as a 26D, but they believe it's a better choice for that area.

They have essentially the same length, width, and square footage as the 26X/M, without the convenience of permanent standing headroom, but also without its associated problems of high freeboard, higher CG, and high sail plan, which contribute to heel and leeway. They do have the pop top canvas.

We discovered for ourselves the standing headroom meant much less to us than we thought it would, compared to the compromise in sailing quality, due in part to the high freeboard, but mostly due to that made for motoring. They have a tiller, something I missed very much with the 26X. I love the feel, it's closer to being "one with the boat." They also have a sailboat hull without all the drag at the transom of a powersailor.

Their 26S and trailer only weigh about as much as a 26X hull, no outboard or trailer. In fact, with outboards, it's towing weight is about the same as our C-18 on its 760 pound extending-tongue trailer. With 1200 pounds of water ballast, and < 100 pound, four-stroke outboard with fuel tank, they're under 3,000 pounds, about the same as an unballasted 26M with 50HP and 24 gallons of fuel. I believe he's 70-something years old, only a bit over 5 feet tall, and handles the 26S with no problems.

There's a huge number of MacGregor/Venture "classic" owners out there who love these boats. You'll find many on the Internet in the Sailnet MacGregor mailing list and the TBBS MacGregor/Venture forum.

[Steve K]

K9Kampers,

I owned an X boat for around four years. I now have a 1988 26D. (going on three years)

You can't beat the X boat for some things, like the convenience of it's spacious interior and standing headroom. There is also something to be said for the 20 mph powering speed.

For me, the classic works better, however. The sailing performance is better. The towing weight is less (quite a bit less). It is simpler and more basic.

The tiller steering is something I missed, when I had the X boat. I prefer a tiller.

My best advice is to carefully judge what your needs are in a trailerable and go from there. The classic would get pretty cramped if you're bring the wife, kids and dog with you. (more than the X). I usually single hand, or it's just me and the wife.

I don't use the boat everyday and in it's off time it sits in the back yard out in the desert sun. So, again for me the 20 year old D-boat that I only have about $5K into is more proportional of an investment than the $20 some K I had in my X-boat to get so little use.
It used to really bother me that this almost new boat (My X-boat) sat in my back yard most of the time and I made payments every month and I would polish the gelcoat and watch it turn dull again and I would pay property taxes and insurance and I wasn't getting the value in use of the boat.

Of course the D boat is less money overall. It's payed for and both taxes and insurance are minimul compared to the newer X boat.
(Tip: if you're not making a boat payment, you can afford cool boat stuff easier, like new sails for example)

And as for the gelcoat......... I don't worry as much. By the time I got the D, the damage was done. I keep her up as I can, but I don't lose sleep over it. I'm not worried about keeping up the value, because she's probably hit the bottom of her potential market anyway, and I will, likely keep her, even if I get another boat at some point. Later, when time permits, I'll refinish her hull.

Hope this has been food for thought.
Take care,
Steve K

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

K9 - We owned a 26-S, and now a 26-X. I liked the "S" very much in reference to the ease of rigging, trailering, and handling. However, I wasnt too fond of that lazarette (rear storage). It was sorta like a deep box compartment, and I had to hang down into it scrambling for stuff that I just couldnt get organized. But, the Laz. was a very minor complaint of mine. We went to an "X" for more head room, which is so much more comfortable for us. We keep the "X" in a slip, and for us, it offers more room to spend time aboard--even in the Marina.
Ive seen some awesome bargain pricing for the Classics recently.

[K9Kampers]

Thanks all -

I'll have an opportunity to chat with NE-TS at upcoming meetings & cruises.

When we bought the X, it was for desires & amenities specific to an X, and have been very happy so far. However, if just myself, which it was for most of the last two seasons, I could be just as happy with less headroom, tiller, basics,... HA!-Recent talks with wife on "simplicity & low tech outfitting & mods - just fall on deaf ears, guess I'll be installing a 12V - on demand water system after all....but that's another thread!

All things considered, if to do it over again, I'd look closer at the classics!