#45. Oh Oh! How long will we stay grounded? Macgregor 26 Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- @Barefoot Doctors Sailing - Catch up with the Barefoot Doctors Sailing story while we wait for our replacement Leopard 45 after losing our new Leopard 50 to a fire....
Last week we sailed to the top of the Sandy Straits, explore Lake Mackenzie, whales and Fraser Island and had a fantastic sail the 40 miles down the full length of the the Sandy Straits.
This week we find ourselves grounded after a storm, pushed up the beach at high tide and the first tides don't allow us off - will we get off with the following tides??? We also make the decision to get over to the Annapolis Boat Show so have to sell the Macgregor 26 in a hurry and it sells like a hot cake!!!
We review the pros and cons of the Macgregor 26 and tell you what we REALLY think.....
Binge watch and come barefoot with us as we travel and explore the planet, mostly from the water but sometimes through the minds of others as we provide aid and support where needed through the amazing TUFMINDS solutions!
The free TUFMINDS program is released as a smartphone program under the Exqisit Life Foundation Charity, a registered not for profit and requires financial support to fund the free program. TUFMINDS saves lives by intervening at the point of suicide and pulling everyone to higher levels of mental resilience, wellbeing and functioning. it also creates better attitudes, resilience and coping - all very important for sailors facing difficult situations at sea.
@Barefoot Doctors Sailing
Donations to the charity to support Suicide Prevention with the free TUFMINDS program can be made at:
shoutforgood.com/charities/ex...
For more info:
www.TUFMINDS.com
www.barefootdoctorssailing.com.au
TUFMINDS app - in App Store
I've owned a MacGregor 26x for about 21 years. The previous owner named her "Black Sheep" as many people consider her to be the black sheep of the sailing family. In fact, because of badly informed sailors and unfair ignorant opinions, I put off buying a Mac for 2 or 3 years. I almost missed one of the best boats ever. No, it's not a super-size luxury ocean going floating condo, it's a week-end camper and mine cost just $17,000 21 years ago. That's one heck of a deal!
Thanks for the intelligent report. I was expecting another apples-to-oranges silly and misleading opinion but you proved me wrong. Your kind of open-mindedness is rare indeed.
Thanks Michael! Glad you liked it!
Being a longtime dinghy sailor as well as a motorboater, I understand this boat. Anyone who has sailed small boats understands what “tippy” is. It is obvious that in trying to be both a motorboat and a sailboat, it can’t do either greatly, but that’s OKAY. It reminds me of the Honda Ridgeline: is it an SUV or a Pickup? The answer is yes.
Exactly!!! Well said!
We had that exact experience at a Canadian campground with our MacGregor. The manager even offered us a spot in the pool if we preferred to float. We hosted tours inside the boat all evening as the campground kids were intrigued (as were their parents). Good times!
Amazing!!!!
As a brand new owner of my 94 MacGregor 26'.
This review I found to be most helpful as well as truly encouraging. Thank you
I have not been able to get out on the water nas of yet do to freezing temperatures. However, now after watching your show... I am super excited. 😀😀
From Oklahoma USA ❤️
Love the video, thanks for sharing your adventures, waiting for the catamaran adventures to come!
Eli & John, you guys add loads of value to everything you touch and cover. MacGregor boats just got a raised premium by your super overview, lucky Mac owners 😀.
4:23 - shouldn't be hard to sell your Mac M, there's a long line of people looking for one. "I've given my word" - kudos to you.
good to see things are going great and day by day the dream gets closer
We bought a '91 MacGregor last summer, it is our first boat. Glad to see you guys enjoying yours!
I agree that it is a fantastic first boat (I know it wasn't your first though lol) It is great to learn on a lighter boat, and the MacGregor offers a small-boat experience that you can sleep on. Many other trailer sailers are essentially dingies.
John, Elie totally going to miss mini dash, she brought out the kid in both of u, it was really fun and what a terrific little yacht.but as u say onward an upward can't wait for 46 I'm soooo excited, also u both look really relaxed and well. Luv yas💜🇦🇺👨🍳👩🍳 please stay safe OS in these sad times
Thanks again Karlene for watching and glad you enjoy the videos. This last 12 months has been very up and down for us and we have spent a lot of time waiting... But we know we are very blessed and the time has allowed us to reflect on many things....
Thanks for the review on the MacGregor. Can't wait to see you on the move through the boat shows.
Thanks Jack. Unfortunately still 3 months till we get the new boat and the Grande Motte catamaran show but we will be sharing boat related stuff until then...
Good on you for keeping the deal. All buyers should be so lucky.
Anxiously awaiting your next adventure. Great things are on the horizon for you.
Cheers Crystal! Yes it feels a bit like being in some sort of crazy movie. Sometimes it feels like we get control of our scripts and do and plan our next move and other times feels like we are at the control of a producer and have no idea what they have in store till we turn up on set! How’s that for an analogy! But isn’t that life in general? It’s just the depth that varies right? In any case it is an exciting adventure and we are glad you are there with us in the thick of it! Eli❤️
I've had mine for fifteen years, had it in some pretty rough conditions, never had any issues. When you put some good quality sails on its a whole different boat. I really injoyd your program.
Thanks Donald. Yes I’m sure good sails would help a lot and we never really even tightened the rigging properly to keep the fire stay straight so I’d expect that to help too.
John and Eli great mini series on your Macgregor and an insight into a boat that I have to admit to dismissing over the years as a bit of toy, but can now see that they really do serve as a good trailer sailer and good therapy for Tuff minds.
Thanks again Ian. Hope you are doing well and enjoying life!Yes you are right - I believe just getting out on the water is good therapy in any boat or even a paddle ski!!!
Thinking of selling mine , i have a 26m , mainly used it on the Murray river , great for camping in
Looking forward to your next adventure.
Hi Jack us too! It is bit of …fly by the seat of your pants kind of planning at the moment. Till we collect our 45 in May. Who knows what vids will come out but I am sure they will be boat related with some off beat travelling till then! Thanks for watching!
Great review of a very unique boat, your description of the sailing technique is just like a smaller sailing dinghy, all hands on the main. Congrats on the sale, look forward to the next chapter.
Nice video! I also liked the swim platform... Where did you get it from?
I really enjoyed your MacGregor review. I have a 1999 X, and I sail in the Pacific Northwest out of Vancouver, BC. I think it's worth adding one more benefit of having a large 50HP+ engine: it means I'm far less dependent on tide gates. We have some pretty strong tides and currents in the Pacific Northwest, and my X gives me about an extra hour on either side of slack in order to comfortably get through a tide gate. They are a terrific boat for what they offer.
Yes good point. Having the speed to get places fast or over strong current makes it significantly safer and reassuring! We almost forgot to mention the unsinkability and self righting too but squeezed it in at the end! Glad you liked it!!!
I really liked your candid comments about the boat. Sounds to me like it was a very good temporary boat till you get your new boat.
Hey John yes a great fill in boat lots of fun. But getting closer to our 45 Leopard in May collect in France at the boat show!
Cool video. Enjoyed watching your adventures with Mini-Dash. More of a with than on. She was a participant.
Hi Terry thanks for watching. Haha yes defiant a participant! Hope you are well in your world!
I own a 2000 26x. I love my boat, but it's far from perfect. It got me into sailing with a decent cabin that I could trailer around the country. It required a lot of modification to make it a decent boat to sail and spend time one. It's saving grace is the fact that I can trailer it wherever I wanted to go. I've moved many times since owning the boat. I've sailed it in the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys, off of Georgia in the Pacific ocean, in Lake Superior including two circumnavigations around Isle Royale. Had I bought a standard keel boat, I would have had to sell it a long time ago.
The biggest issue with it is that due to it's windage and light weight it doesn't sail to up wind in wind over 15 knots. But this is where the "motor sailer" part comes in. It's a motor sailer, so motor upwind when the winds are too high.
It's not an off shore boat, but does fine for coastal sailing.
Glad you are having so much fun with it, Jason! Yes the upwind performance isn't great but the ability to beach and trailer easily makes it fantastic for doing exactly what you - exploring different coastal areas after driving there....
I’m sorry to see the “little boat that could” go to a new owner, but she will soon be replaced with a proper blue water catamaran that will get us all back to exploring the open seas and endless horizons sipping sundowners! Oh how I have missed my virtual sailing trips through your videos and so look forward to “our” next adventures ☺️ Pull the anchor my friends and let’s get sailing! Missing you both! Stay safe 🥰
Hey Mango!! Yes we will enjoy taking you along with us so thanks for supporting us in the journey. We feel like we are treading water but that’s better than drowning and our longer term plan is in place and 3months to go for the 45!
Hey John I was going to respond to Mango! He got in before me Mango. But cheers for watching and who knows what sort of vids will come out till then, but still boaty and bit of travelling and some more boat reviews and walk throughs. Thanks for coming along friend!
Eli
What a fantastic stopgap. Tell us more about your choice of a L45
i've seen someone go from florida and cross to bahamas no problem. just need to pick the right weather window to go.
Hi John, I am sure that is very possible to go to the Bahamas (50-100 miles) in a Mac 26 but the person that asked me before was wanting to cross from Australia to the South Pacific which is 500- 1000 miles and much further from protected waters and help if things go wrong.... My only concern would be the thin forestay wires/ shroud a holding up the mast but on the up side, the boat will not sink or capsize.... I am sure some brave people would do even the bigger crossings bit not me.
Sad to see mini dash go, but as a MacGregor owner in the UK happy that you enjoyed her, I wouldn’t sell mine for the world,
so fun
Hi you two Love your Video's on the mac, I had a 26m, and loved it, well get a 26m or x soon, Do you have any Pics of your great swim step and how is was attached to outboard or transom? Thanks look forward to your new Video on your next Cat, Keep Smiling Bob
Hi Bob, we only have pictures as we entered and left the boat on the step but there were none of the detailed contraction / design. It was made as a one off by a previous owner and the trick is to make sure that the rudders have enough rotation to not obstruct steering. It was really useful though. I will look back through old footage to see what I can find...
Its a beach boat lifestyle niche vessel. Like a hobie cat.
I own 3 MaCgregor boats, a Venture 22, a Mac 21 and a Venture of Newpor23t. All three are respected designs. The Mac 21, based off the original college project, "Venture 21", is reported in the brochure, to been clocked at over 17 mph.
Correct me if I got any of that incorrect🙄
neat little boat!
Yes cats Paw, she’s a little beauty!
The really nice thing about MiniDash was it was very simple so something wasn't needing repair every time you went out. It seems even on larger brand new boats there is always something that needs to be worked on or adjusted.
That whole business about being able to beach it makes things fun and even running aground on a sand bar just means crank up the keel and float off, no panic required. LOL
Thanks for watching and supporting Diana! Yes beaching boats seems to be a very poorly understood benefit that once you have experienced , you don’t want to go back!!! A bit like monos versus cats.... But I don’t want to start another argument here!!!
Yes John, considering we have been straddling both!!!
We’ll done classy video… bravo
Thanks Scratch - glad you liked it!
As soon the boat is a little bit on the wind, tippyness is gone... (cousin: Hunter 23.5 and 26).
Thanks for that and you are quite right... There are angles that are better when the winds on the sails stabilise the boat.
what macgregor model is best one to look for? they got the m, s and x model that i know of.
YOURE KILLING ME! Less than a year ago you could find a dozen Macgregor 26X between $10 & 12K, and the 26M starting at $21K. Now I can't find one I can afford. Suddenly there's a resurgence of appreciation for them. However; nice couple and well done.
Prices for all boats have escalated absurdly in the past year. The prices in Australia are about 50% higher than what you are quoting (which I presume is US$). There are extremes of reactions to the MAC from passionate support to severe disdain but those that want them are willing to pay relatively high prices... Bad for when you buy but good for when you want to sell. Good luck in your search - sometimes ones come up that need Reno so you can get a better price or from one not used for years and they don’t know the new value... We will send you our wishes for an opportunity to present to you!
Oh, Don't tell me you went to the FL boat show!! I am 10 hr drive from there, I could have gone to say G'day. One video closer to your next Dash. ⛵
Hi Amanda so close yet so far! Next time we are in your area we will reach out and try for a catch up! Yep getting closer….
No we were not at the Fl or Miami boat shows so you did not miss out on anything! 3 months to go till we get our new boat do we can’t wait... Nice of you to drive 10 hours to see us though! John (seems like Eli answered as well!)
@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 Haha, yes she did!! I feel super special now. 😄
Loved your insight on the McGregor 26 we are looking on getting one to do the great loop have you done the great loop in the usa?? We will be first time sailors sail boat wise??
Hi Drew, I presume the "Great Loop" in the USA is the rivers and lakes from NY up to Chicago etc. That is ideal in a Macgregor as it is shallow draft for the mud banks and you can take the mast down if you need! Have fun!!!
I have been thinking the exact same thing. Stepping the mast for the low bridges would be a piece of cake on this boat.
Question, I’ve watch all your videos about your L50 that burned down, but I never heard what exactly was the cause. Could y’all please share if you know?? Mahalo
Hey Nathan - yes we do know the reason for the fire now but there are ongoing legals occurring and we have not yet been paid out yet. So when we get the approval to release the info, we will. As we have said before it was not due to an electrcal fault, battery fire or fault with the Leopard itself. Also it is not something that would happen while sailing... Hope that is reassuring if you are a Leopard or other boat owner.
There is a huge difference from powerboat and sailboat enthusiasts.
Absolutely!
What price did you sell it for...? Give us all a guide of what we should be paying...
I love my 26M. One of the best boats to have in hawaii
Yes we had such fun and very flexible and easy to get places and store when not in use! You would not have beachable places in Hawaii do you? I thought it was all volcanic and sharp drop offs....
@@barefootdoctorssailing8567
Yeah, there are some sandbars such as Kaneohe’s sandbar. But there is a lot of sand bars made in the summertime and the go away in the winter. Balmy’s are all you really need to worry about while sailing.
only until the water comes back
VERY WISE!!!! 😅😅😅
Volume too low, can barely hear, in fullest volume on an iPad.
Sorry Phil. We have hade folk on tvs saying it was too loud so try to avoid that and it seems that iPads have the opposite effect. We will turn up the volume again and try to get the balance right...
No keel
What is this voodoo.
Magic!!!