wrote:

Hey Jim... I found your 11-14-05 (1:55PM) post very interesting and
appreciated the over view of the MacGregor.

I have been seriously thinking about buying a small craft and for the
past year or so have been looking for something that would be com-
patible with my needs and limitations. At this point in time a *new*
MacGregor has definitely tweaked my interest!

Your input... and others that I may come accross on the internet is
and will be most helpfull.

Best regards

Bill

M/V Polynesia



Bill,

As others on the newsgroups have pointed out, the MacGregors have
advantages and disadvantages relative to larger keel boats.

If you have the money to keep a conventional keel boat in a marina and
to maintain it, and if you have the time to get to the marina and take
the boat out to a good sailing area, then that may be your better
choice. I felt that the MacGregor 26M, with water ballast. provided the
best combination of features for sailing in our area. Mine is kept on
its trailer in a secured sailing center for a nominal monthly fee, where
it can be kept rigged and ready to sail. The (50hp) motor permits us to
get out to a preferred sailing area at planing speeds, providing more
time to sail, anchor, swim, fish, or whatever. Ours has roller furling,
and all lines led aft, for safety and convenience. I find that it's
really nice after a day's sailing to be able to motor back to the marina
at 15 knots or so.

As previously mentioned, the Mac is not as fast under sail as a larger
boat, so if racing is one of your primary interests, you may want to
consider something else. Nevertheless, under sail the Mac can provide
the same excitement and challenges to your sailing skills as do the
heavier boats. The water ballast provides further options and
versatility. With the ballast filled, the boat is stable under sail.
Without it, the boat becomes relatively light, for convenience when
trailering. With the dagger board retracted and the rudders lifted the
boat floats in about a foot of water, so it can be beached, if desired,
or anchored in shallow water safe for kids to swim in, etc. It has a
surprising amount of room and can sleep four adults, but not a lot of
space in the cockpit.

If you want further information, there are several Mac discussion groups
that might be of interest. See:

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/

for discussions of the new and older models.

Jim Cate