JimC wrote:
The boat's best features: Sailing ability.She sails as well as any boat
costing double the price I have sailed on.

Glad you added the qualifier of boats that *you* have sailed.

I don't mean this to be insulting, but it is a fact that the
Mac26X and successor the -M are slow, especially to
windward. There are many boats that are cheaper which will
sail rings around it.

Of course, JimC won't admit that, and he doesn't have to
because he himself hasn't sailed any of them. I have.



The 26M is a practical fun boat that can be used for serious sailing
without the major costs involved.


It is a practical fun boat that can have sails hoisted.



The boat's best features: She doesn't pound in 3 foot rollers at speeds
of 14- 16 mph.

???

... She will sail well with just the main.

She won't sail "well" ever, unless you like going slow &
steering poorly.



.... There
is something to be said about going to Catalina and arriving 2 or 3
hours ahead of the fastest sail boats out there.


???

"Which "fastest" sailboats are these? Considering that there
are boats which break 20 knots regularly, making this claim
shows your limited knowledge & experience (or mendacity,
depending).





...It will heel quite easily to 15-20 degrees, but
at this point, it starts to lift the water ballast tank out of the water
and so stiffens up and does not heel much more.

Physics isn't your strong suit, is it Jim? "Lifting the
water ballast tank" has nothing to do with the boats
stability. The water ballast tank, when full, lowers the
boat's senter of gravity.

Gravity doesn't know or care if the water ballst tank is
"lifted above the waterline."

Th "lifting above the waterline" effect of water ballast has
been stated often, since the beginning of water ballasted
boats, by a bunch of ignorant blowhards. I guess you
believed it.




I have read many things on the web against the macgregor. Frankly i
don't know what the _____ they are talking about.

Yep



The boat's best features: Easy to sail and forgiving, excellent
handling under power. Mast raising system is as advertised and a
pleasure. While rigging is neither arduous or difficult, it is time
consuming, but not an issue for me since I keep the vessel in a slip.
The vessel is comfortable for our use, which tends to two adults and
(occasionally) a grandson.


I am glad that you like your boat Jim, and have a great time
with her. It shows that you have chosen well.

But your remarks about the boat's sailing performance are
just plain wrong, but it doesn't matter if you yourself are
content with the boat's performance. But one might wonder
why you feel the need to either lie or remain ignorant of
what other boats are capable of.

We've had a number of friends with these boats, and they
have all been happy with them. However they also moved on
(as we did too, from a trailerable). I wish you many happy
days aboard your vessel.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King