"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
news
A lot of the "improvements" just showed the weaknesses of the old model.
I did
a quick check at the asking prices for older 26X's - it looks like a 5
year old
boat could be had for about half of the original price.


Pretty obvious why they came out with a "new" model.............

"In March of 2003, MacGregor introduced the all new MacGregor 26M, to
replace the 26X that had been in production for 7 years. Approximately 5000
of the X had been produced before being replaced by the M. The new boat is
substantially different from the old. The following is a summary of the
changes"

Difficult to sell new boats when you have a gazillion used ones on the
market for up to 50% of the asking price of a new boat. Now Roger & Co. can
claim that they have a "new" boat, that you can't compare to the "old" boat.
Has to be really tough if you're one of the unfortunates selling a used one.
Some poor sod is trying to sell his locally for $25,900. The ad below his
lists the same model, same year, for $18,000!!!!!!!!

"The most striking difference in speed was when both boats were sailing with
main alone. In typical conditions, when the 26x was sailing with main and
jib, it was going about 5.7 mph. When the jib was furled, the speed dropped
by 2 mph. With the new boat, when the jib was furled, the speed dropped by
only 1 mph, with little change in the balance of the boat."

Can't recall the last time I've read something so lubberly in a pitch for a
sailboat.

John Cairns