If you've been searching for an honest macgregor 26s review , you probably already know that these boats have a bit of a cult following, but they furthermore get plenty associated with side-eye from the "serious" yachting masses. Let's have one point straight right away of the door: the MacGregor 26S isn't a blue-water cruiser designed to cross the Atlantic, and it's not a high-end luxury vessel with teak decks and gold-plated fixtures. It is definitely, however, one of the most useful, fun, and obtainable techniques for getting a household out on water without taking away an additional mortgage.
I've spent sufficient time around these types of "classic" MacGregors to know that these people occupy an extremely specific niche. Produced between 1990 plus 1995, the "S" stands for "Swing Keel" (or sometimes referred to since the "Sway" keel), distinguishing it through its sister, the particular 26D (Daggerboard). In case you're looking regarding a boat that balances simplicity of trailering with decent sailing performance, this is usually the particular model people stage toward.
What Makes the MacGregor 26S Different?
The big speaking point with any kind of MacGregor 26S review is almost always the particular water ballast system . This was pretty revolutionary for the time plus remains the reason these boats are so popular today.
Conventional sailboats have the heavy lead or even iron keel that keeps them straight. That's great for stability, but it's a nightmare intended for trailering because you're hauling a lot of money of dead weight. Roger MacGregor's solution? The hollow hull that you fill with about 1, 200 pounds of river or ocean water once you've launched.
When you're done intended for the afternoon, you open up a valve, pull the boat on to the trailer, plus the water drains out when you drive up the ramp. Suddenly, you're towing a boat that will weighs only regarding 1, 650 pounds (plus the trailer). You don't need a massive dually truck to go this thing; a decent-sized SUV or even a medium sized pickup handles this just fine.
How Does It Actually Sail?
Now, don't get me wrong—this isn't a racing machine. But for a ship that's essentially a hollow shell packed with lake water, it sails surprisingly well. Because it's so light, it doesn't take much wind to have the 26S moving. Within a lighting breeze where the large cruisers are achieving for their ignition keys, the MacGregor is often ghosting right past all of them.
The golf swing keel is the huge plus right here. It's a fiberglass foil that pivots down to give you a set up of about six feet. This provides you enough "bite" in the water to point pretty well into the wind. If you're sailing in slim water or you want to beach the boat for any picnic, you simply crank the keel up, and you're drawing only regarding 15 inches.
One thing you'll notice quickly is that the vessel is tender . That's sailor-speak for "it tips easily. " Since the ballast is water (which is usually less dense compared to lead) and rests relatively high in the hull, the particular boat will back heel over quite a lot mainly because soon as the gust hits. It's never going to flip over—it's designed to round upward into the breeze if it gets too pushed—but this can be a bit nerve-wracking for beginners or spouses who aren't fans associated with seeing the rail dip toward the water.
Lifestyle on the Inside: The "Water Camper"
If a person go into a MacGregor 26S anticipating a yacht inside, you're going to be disappointed. In the event that you go in anticipating a "camper upon the water, " you'll be delighted. The layout is in fact pretty genius for a 26-foot boat.
The standout function is the aft berth . It's generally a king-sized bed tucked under the cockpit floor. It's huge. Two adults can sleep right now there comfortably without hitting each other, which is a rare find in this size range. There's also a V-berth in advance, though that's usually better appropriate for kids or even gear storage.
Then there's the pop-top . This can be an area of the log cabin roof that lifts up on struts. Without it, you're hunching over such as a question mark. With this up (and the optional canvas cover up snapped in), you suddenly have standing headroom within the galley area. It totally changes the sense of the vacation cabin, making it experience airy and open up instead of like a fiberglass cave.
The galley will be basic—usually a kitchen sink and a spot for the single-burner stove—and the head (bathroom) is really a small, enclosed area that fits the porta-potti. It's minimal, but it's everything you need for a weekend in the lake.
The MacGregor 26S vs. the 26X and 26M
It's impossible in order to do a MacGregor 26S review with no mentioning the later on models, the 26X and 26M. All those are the "powersailers" that may carry 50hp or 60hp outboards and plane throughout the water from 20 knots.
Purists generally prefer the 26S because it looks and feels even more like a traditional sailboat. The S design has a very much sleeker profile, a deeper keel, and generally better sailing manners. While the particular X and Michael models are excellent for people who else want a hybrid, the particular 26S is with regard to the person who else actually wants to sail but still wants the particular convenience of the trailer.
Normal Issues to Look For
Considering that these boats are actually 30+ years old, they aren't heading to be perfect. If you're searching at buying 1, there are a few "MacGregor-specific" points to check:
- The Ballast Tank: Make sure the particular valve (gate valve) at the transom works. Sometimes they get stuck or leak. Also, check regarding any "smells" arriving from the container area, which may indicate stagnant drinking water or a break.
- The particular Keel Pivot Bolt: This is the bolt the swing keel hangs on. Over time, the hole can obtain elongated or the bolt can wear out. It's a replaceable component, but you wish to know if it's already been maintained.
- Hull "Oil Canning": Since the hulls are slim to keep them light, you may see some flexing if the vessel is sitting with an improperly fitted trailers. It's usually not really structural, but it's something to watch.
- The particular Deck Rigging: Plenty of owners have modified these types of boats. Some modifications are great (like leading lines returning to the cockpit), while some look like they were done by a frustrated plumbing engineer. Check the chainplates and deck equipment for leaks.
That is This Boat For?
The particular MacGregor 26S is perfect for the particular "weekend warrior" family members. If you reside a few hours from the coast or a big lake and you also don't want to pay out monthly slip fees, this boat is a godsend. You keep it in your own driveway, toss a few sleeping bags plus a cooler inside, and you're prepared to go.
It's also a fantastic boat with regard to alone sailors . Because everything is relatively light and the boat is reactive, it's super easy to handle by your self. Stepping the mast (raising it) can be done by one person with the right gin-pole setup, though it's always easier with a buddy.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, the MacGregor 26S is almost all about freedom . It's not the quickest boat, it's not really the sturdiest boat, and it definitely won't win any beauty contests with the local luxury yacht club. But it does exactly what it's supposed to perform: it gets you on the water for a fraction of the price of almost any various other 26-foot cruiser.
If you would like a boat that will you can tow towards the Florida Keys 1 week and a mountain lake the next, all while wearing a dry spot to sleep and a stove to create coffee, you really can't beat it. It's a simple, truthful boat that has introduced thousands of people to the joy of going, and that's a pretty great legacy for any vessel.
So, if a person find one in good shape intended for a fair price, don't let the "snobs" talk you out of it. It's a lot of boat regarding the money, and at the end of the day, the particular fish don't care how much a person spent on your own keel.