MacGregor 26 not good? Water-ballast in general??

[wardd]

does it float?

[welder/fitter]

SFO, others,
I bought a Mac26S(swing keel, water ballast) a few months ago. I needed a boat that I could ship in a container to Asia, not an easy animal to find. As well, I needed a boat that could be beached or easily removed from the water without the expense/availability of a lift. Until I ship it to Asia, in the near future, I am not paying for moorage. My experience has been that this model is faster than the newer versions, when sailing. It is extremely important to take on the correct amount of water ballast. If you can touch the surface of the water with your finger, through the inspection hole, your good. Just remember to put the plug back in, or you'll be mopping up! With the proper amount, the boat feels a bit tender to a certain point of heel - especially for one who is used to larger and/or heavier boats - but stiffens up nicely. Not a bad turn of speed with the basic sail rig, but I'm looking forward to adding a spinaker and a main with reef points. With the standard Mac rudder, one does experience weather helm, but there are alterations one can make and "Idasailor" sells a modified rudder.

I took it out in some stronger winds the other day(30+kts) and thought I'd made a foolish move, but the boat handled well. My wife is returning soon & I expect her to feel the same initial nervousness, as she is used to our old Cal330, but I believe that she'll be comfortable after a couple of hours & I know she'll appreciate the simplicity of the boat systems. San Fransisco has, on average, more challenging sea/wind states than our area. Maybe you can hook up with an owner down there & experience their boat before you make the financial commitment to buy?
Best of luck!
Mike

[rwatson]

I hope you enjoy the boat WF. It should do all you hoped it would.

The 26S must be one of the older designs (2003 was the start of the 26M, and for 7 years before that, the 26X - swing keel, water ballast.)

The latest 26M would be a faster sailer as well as a faster motor boat -
the sailing has been enhanced with taller rig, reduction of the drag from the centerboard trunk, and the rotating mast

In any case, the optimum sailing angle is about 6 degrees - flat like a laser.
That truly is totally different to the majority of keel boats.

Do keep up the story as you go, please

[ancient kayaker]

Just read the thread for the first time. It is what I call a happy thread. People who have a M like it and the best thing that people who do not can say about is "yeah sure, it's OK but it's not for me."

Everyone gets what they want and likes what they have. Nice!

It's great to see folk tolerant of differences like this. There are other threads that are not so happy; they tend to discuss high-testosterone boating activities and I don't want to attract unfriendly fire so I won't be dumb enough to name any. Perhaps the laid-back, relaxed nature of the M rubs off on folk.

I'm not really happy with any boat that's bigger than I am so I'll just tuck it under my arm and and sneak quietly out the back.