On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:48:39 -0400, HK wrote:


I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.


A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

Different purpose boats. The Mac 26 will go where Froggie took the
Tolman yesterday. The Hunter won't.

Hunter min draft 3'6"
Mac 26 min draft 12"

Hunter displacement 7,656 lbs.
Mac displacement 2,550 lbs.

Macs are lightly built boats, easily trailered, and economical under
power.
Having read the Mac forums for years, there are very few complaints
about build quality. Some upgrade the factory rigging to heavier
stays.
They are also highly customizable, like the Carolina Skiff, another
high mpg boat - due to lightness of build.
For Florida coastal/harbor/bay/swamp/beach both boats do well.
The CS hulls flap at speed. Some owners glass in a couple 2x4's
to stop that. Makes 'em feel better (-:
Others don't bother.

--Vic