Scout,

I have a 26M purchased in 2004, and I do like the boat. - It has a
number of features that make it a good choice for the sailing I do in
the Houston-Galveston area. Whether it would be the best choice for you
may depend on what kind if sailing you expect to do. As you can easily
see from the Mac discussion group Bill mentioned
(http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/), lots of Mac owners use their boats
for coastal cruising, for trips from California to Catalina island,
sailing the Keys, etc.

Because it is designed to motor and plane, and because it has a
water-ballasted hull, the Mac doesn't perform under sail as well as a
larger, heavier boat with longer waterline, weighted keel, etc. It's
relatively light (around 4,000 pounds loaded and with water ballast),
and its hull is something of a compromise (semi-V bottom). - I bought
ours after sailing a number of larger, heavier boats, so I'm aware that
the Mac isn't the kind of boat you would choose if you expect to make
extended, open-sea voyages. (For one thing, it doesn't have the storage
capacity needed for provisions for such cruises.) So if you expect to
spend lots of time cruising offshore or sailing in heavy weather, you
might want to look at a larger, heavier boat. Hunter and Catalina also
make boats somewhat similar to the Mac. As you probably know, there
are lots of used boats of various makes, designs and conditions on the
market.

On the plus side, the Mac 26M is just plain fun to sail. It's the most
popular sailboat of its size, with thousands of owners in the US and
foreign countries. As you probably know, the Mac doesn't require a slip
(no slip fees or bottom treatments), it's easy to launch, roomy,
versatile, can maneuver in shallow water (they float in one foot of
water), safe (how many other boats discussed on this ng have flotation
that keeps the boat afloat even if the hull is broken open below the
waterline?), etc. The motor permits me to motor out to a desired sailing
area at 15mph+ and to motor back quickly at the end of the day or if bad
weather comes up, so I'm able to get in more time sailing when and where
I want to sail, and I'm able to avoid problems that would otherwise keep
me from enjoying the day.

There is one major disadvantage to owning a Mac 26M, however. - They
aren't a conventional boat, they cost much less than most, and you will
be subject to some pretty sarcastic ridicule by owners of larger,
conventional boats. Your original note asked if anyone on the ng had any
actual experience on the Mac 26M. - You got a number of responses,
mostly negative, but only one of them (Bill's) was from someone with
actual experience on the the 26M, and he seemed to like his. This is
fairly typical.

In any event, look around at all the options and sail as many different
boats as you can.

Jim




Scout wrote:
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?

In my unending search for the right boat, this boat appears to have many
features of interest. I understand that the sailing performance is
compromised to gain in other areas, but if speed is not my thing, why
should I care?

If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in that size range
(abt 25') can do better?

Scout