Thanks Jim,
I appreciate your input.
The 26M is not out of the running, and I'm going to be visiting a dealer
within the next few weeks to have a look at one up close. I'm looking at
quite a few others too. For instance, I'm looking at Jim Taylor's boats
(Precision) because I've owned one and loved almost everything about it
(just needed it to be bigger).
In the end, I'll most likely see something I hadn't figured on and just
buy the damn thing. I have a history of doing elaborate research and then
buying on instinct. Some times it works out for the best, some times it
doesn't.
Scout

"JimC" wrote in message
om...
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