macgregor 65

[Canyondr]

We sailed Vivace to turkey and it is for sale.
Photos: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...=0SaNGrVq5YuJg
For future owner of Vivace,
I am a mechanical engineer with 35 years in the aerospace industry. I am an advocate of the Steve Dashew philosophy of long and narrow cruising boats with energy producing options and large battery banks.
I purchased Vivace just 2 years from commissioning and modified her for cruising comfort and efficiency.
Vivace had some quality equipment when purchased; Furuno 36 mile radar, Max prop, Lowrance GPS and chart plotter, heavy duty Doyle cruising sails, self tending stay sail, 1-1/2 inch jib car tracks, granny bars, SSB copper strip ground plane, 30 kg Bruce anchor on 5/16 ht chain, a solid line controlled boom vang, B&G instruments and best of all a heavy duty hydraulic B&G autopilot.
My first and most significant decision was should I install an auxilliary diesel power generator or what. For about the same cost, I chose to add a custom designed radar arch with a forward auxilliary arch linked together to provide a solid base structure for mounting 6 each 540 watt solar panels. This structure provides a shade bimini and a secure cockpit handhold, all behind the boom and without interference with sailing. I've since added a dinghy motor support and lift for the new 15 hp yamaha engine. We added screens for shade and bug protection as well as a plastic vinyl panel for a dodger. The solar panels are regulated and normally recover over 100 amp hours per day. I use about 800 amp hours of lead acid batteries that were replaced in 2007. We have spent weeks at anchor with the freezer and watermaker giving us independence without running the engine.
Speaking of shade we added a shade cover with side screens that attaches to the front of the bimini and extends to cover the companionway for sun and rain protection. This cover allows for an open companionway during rain and provides more ventilation.
More info available if desired....
Ron

[Scott Jamieson]

I bought a 1990 MacGregor 65 in May of 2011. Wow what a machine!

There is a lot to learn about these vessels if you are considering buying one.

The first pilot house version came out in 1989. The fiberglassers got pretty good by 1990. Now here is the twist, Macgregor advertised the vessel at 32,000 lbs. but the 1989, 1990 and 1991 were 41,000 lbs. Huge fiber glass lay-up. The bow has 4" thick fiber glass and 3" this tappering off on the bow port and starboard.

The boat building industry in California was so competative in the 1990's that Macgregor lost some of their best fiberglass men thus later models (1992-1995) can blister. That being said MacGregor always stated the 1989 through 1995 pilothouse versions of the
65' were 32,000 lbs. No the case. The fiberglass was cut back by an average of 8,000 lbs. from 1992 through 1995.

My 1990 is rock solid. I took it up the Pacific Coast in a storm under power head on to a five foot sea with a 9 foot trough. I had the vessel in auto pilot and took the time to check out the cabins. Woow, not a sound out of the hull. It cut though the waves with ease and no rattels from the interior to speak of. Once again, SOLID!

In the short time I have owned the Macgregor it it is the Bell of the Ball. Out for a nice sail in a 20 Knot breeze is kindly to the Macgregor. We were doing 18 knots / no surfing. It sails well in all angles and in all winds. One fast sled.

As for space inside, I love it! The estate cabins are at either end of the vessel and very comfortable.

I can go on and on but at the end of the day, huge bang for the buck on a true world class race sled and build to last. last but not least, looooow maintenance.

Best of luck.

Mine is not for sale!