(1) Regarding your claim that the dealers try to load up the boat with
extra equipment to jack up the price, my dealer has done the opposite.
He has questioned several of my accessories and suggested ways to do the
same thing cheaper. He also suggested that I might be able to get by
with a smaller, less expensive motor. However, I am including several
modifications (e.g., three reefing points) and some added equipment
(such as lines led aft, roller furling, auto steering) to make the boat
more suitable for offshore sailing.

(2) With respect to depreciation, I suggest that you check
yachtworld.com for current prices of the 26M model aroung the country.
(The lowest I see is $29,990). I also suggest that you talk to owners of
larger boats in our area who have been trying to sell their boats for
months, and even years in some cases!! I would also call your attention
to the fact that 30% depreciation over several years on a $25K boat is
substantially less than 15% depreciation on a more expensive,
displacement boats normally equipted. (And that two and three year old
displacement boats bought new are often down more than 15%). I would
also call your attention to the report on depreciation of the Mac boats
in the Practical Sailor article discussed above.

Jim



John Cairns wrote:

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...

I kinda funny that Jim considered "several months" as a sign that macs are

hard

to get. Most builders don't considered themselves really "back ordered"

unless

its at least 6 months or more. And a custom boat often takes 4 or 5

months to

build, but that's clearly a far different class from a mac.


That too, but I know those dealers load those things up with crap. I
remember the for sale ad in the Sunday Detroit News several years back,
fellow had a year-old 26x that he said he paid 28k for and was selling for
22k. I noticed a fair percentage of the ads at "yachtworld" and
"trader-on-line" were asking prices in the mid-twenties. Out of curiosity I
did the search again and found a "dealer" in Fla. that was advertising "new"
26m's for $18,990 add $7000!!!!!! for your choice of 50 h.p.engines
installed. So I was probably slightly underestimating the "out the door"
price of one of these quality boats loaded up with all the goodies that the
suckers who buy 'em can't seem to resist, based on any number of the "for
sale" ads I've browsed through. Amazing what folks will pay for the
privilege of owning one of these things, considering what you can purchase
for that kind of money.
http://www.sungrill.com/Sailboat/MacGregor26X.htm#2001
Damn, I might have been a little further off, this poor ******* ended up
dropping his price from $22k to $18k before he sold it. Wonder how much he
actually got? Let Jim do the math for us, what percentage did this boat
depreciate in less than 3 years?
John Cairns