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Ron Brown wrote:
Tampa Bay, March 2004
A bitterly cold and snowy Nebraska winter is always a good reason to
head south to Florida, but this year my wife and I were especially
anxious to go. We had suffered through the coldest and snowiest winter
in 20 years in Lincoln, and the news of 80 degree days and gentle
breezes on Anna Maria Island, Florida, our destination, made us want to
get on the road as soon as possible. A day after I returned from a
business trip to California, on February 3rd we pulled out of Lincoln
with our brand-new MacGregor 26M in tow behind our V-8 Ford Explorer.
I was somewhat concerned about towing a 26 ft sailboat 1500 miles from
Lincoln, Nebraska, but my concern was not justified. The 26M towed
beautifully at 65 mph, and we made it to our destination in 2 1?2 long
days. We had made the same trip four years earlier, and had towed a Mac
26X. This trip was easier because the improved suspension of my 2002
Explorer reduced and nearly eliminated the buffeting of the eighteen
wheelers as they sped by us. At times, I hardly new the boat was in tow.
After we arrived in Florida, I was anxious to get the new boat in the
water, and fortunately, the night we arrived, I met a sailor who was on
vacation without a boat, and I was a sailor on vacation without a crew.
The result was he helped me launch the boat and we spent several days
sailing the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay waters with our mates.
The blue hull of my 26M drew plenty of attention during the trip, and
even more so when my new friend Bill, and I, began to set it up.
Surprisingly, in this sailing culture, mine was the first Mac 26M in the
south Tampa Bay area.
Once I figured out how to use the mast raising kit, rigging and
launching the boat went without a hitch until we backed it off of the
trailer, and I discovered that I had not removed the bolts that secure
the rudders in their upright position. I was soon in the water up to my
neck with two wrenches in my hand to remove the bolts while traffic
backed up at the ramp. After this minor inconvenience, we started the
Tohatsu 50 and eased away from the dock while the ballast tanks filled.
During the four years I had been away, I had forgotten that unless a
skipper stays between the red and green markers which mark the deep
channels, you can find yourself in trouble in a hurry. As we moved
further from the dock, I realized that I was on the wrong side of the
channel marker and my rudders were scraping sand. Fortunately, I use
bungee cords to secure the rudders in their down position, and as soon
as I felt drag on them, I quickly released the cord to let the rudders
come up.
The dagger board was only down one foot while I motored, so it was not a
factor. Had I been in a fixed keel boat, I would have run aground, but
with the 26M, by merely releasing the rudders and with the dagger board
only down a foot, the shallow water was only an inconvenience. A quick
turn to port got us going in the correct direction, and we were on our
way to the marina to arrange the boat up for a three week live aboard.
As I mentioned earlier, I had previously owned a 26X, and I thought I
would miss the layout of the X but the expanded cabin area with the
removable table proved to be a much more efficient arrangement for a
three week stay aboard. The open berth under the companionway made up
into a king size bed for me, my wife, and Maggie, our Cockapoo. With the
head moved forward on the M, both sides of the berth were easily
accessible for us to climb in and out of bed. When we awakened in the
morning, we rolled the bedding to the stern of the boat, and were ready
to go sailing.
The removable table is stowed in an upright position on the port side of
the rear berth. When we needed it for eating, or when I wanted to set my
computer and portable printer on it to conduct business on the internet
via my cell phone, it took only a few seconds to place in the guides.
When unneeded, the stowed tabled opened up several square feet of living
space in the boat, much more than I had in the 26X. Also, the thick
cushions on this M are much more comfortable than those on the X.
I was pleasantly surprised at how the Mac 26 handled under power. The
motor was new, and at full power I was able to get the hull speed up to
18 mph with the rudders up and empty ballast tanks. This is a real
advantage when you need to get somewhere in a hurry.
We sailed Tampa Bay, the Gulf Coast side of the islands, and Sarasota
Bay, and when the March sun began to fall toward the horizon, it took
only a few minutes to raise the dagger board, lift the rudders, and open
the ballast tanks before cranking up the Tohatsu 50 to head for the
marina. After a couple of minutes, the water was drained from the tanks,
and we were skimming along the water s surface around 18 mph. We turned
more than a few heads of sailboaters who were plodding along at 6 mph to
try to reach home before darkness fell.
We sailed with a mainsail and a furling jib rather than a furling genoa.
I opted for the jib because the rotating mast and mainsail, along with a
full jib gives me all the speed I need. I also could point higher into
the wind with the jib, and the added visibility of jib over a genoa is a
plus in crowded waterways with a boatload of people.
Bill, my new found sailing partner, was extremely impressed how the M
handled with the water ballast and a dagger board. He was used to heavy,
lead-keeled sailboats, and was amazed at the responsiveness and tracking
ability of the Mac. More often than not, we would set the sails, let go
of the wheel, and let the boat track the wind while we discussing
sailing, or marveled at the beauty of the Gulf waters.
We did have a couple of rough water days where the waves built to four
feet, but with a reefed main, or by sailing by jib alone, the M handled
the rough waters effortlessly. The highest winds we sailed in were
around 18 knots. 18 knot winds on the ocean are much different than
sailing in 18 knot winds on a Nebraska lake because the waves build and
we were fighting wind, waves and current.
On the few occasions where it was too rough to enjoy sailing, we simply
dropped sail, and fired up the Tohatsu to head in to the protection of
the Intercoastal waterway. In rough weather conditions, a 50 horsepower
outboard is a real advantage because you can make headway into waves
that would overpower a small engine.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and reluctantly we loaded
the boat onto the trailer and headed back to Nebraska. It was the best
vacation we had ever had, and plan to make the same trip next year. The
Mac 26M performed as well, if not better, than I had expected, and was a
comfortable home away from home.
I highly recommend the 26M to anyone who wants a boat that can be
trailered nearly anywhere in the continental US, lived aboard, and at
the same time handles very well under sail and power.
Ron Brown |
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Greetings John,
My wife Rose, and I, wish to thank you for your
assistance and
candid suggestions in helping us purchase, and equip, our 2002 Mac Gregor 26X sailboat.
We had looked at other sailboats on the market,
but felt they were limited to 'sailing only,' having fixed keels,
and
low horsepower motors. We wanted to experience more of the gamut ofwater activities available to boaters. Having exited the RV scene, we
looked for a water craft that would allow us to live on the boat for
short periods of time. For that, we needed something which would supply
simple creature comforts. The Mac 26X with its bathroom, galley, and
sleeping quarters provided the privacy and comfort we desired. Plenty of
room for the two of us, and the occasional friends we entertain.
Speaking of friends, on one outing, we invited
friends who were
afraid of water to sail with us. The wind turned out to be blowing 35
plus mph. So we did not sail that afternoon. Instead, we cruiseed around
the lake using the 50 hp. Suzuki outboard for power. Our friends later
confided that despite the 2 - 3 ft. waves we encountered, they felt
perfectly safe aboard the 26X. They even asked to go sailing with us
again this year. I must say, I'm impressed how stable the 26X is
under
difficult weather conditions, when it has the water ballast aboard.
We have nieces and nephews who are wanting to be towed
on water
toys behind our boat this coming summer. Under power boat mode, the 26X
should be able to do 18 mph. or better. Hopefully fast enough to keep
the young ones happy.
I don't know what they call novice, tenderfoot, sailers;
but Rose
and I fall under that heading. In our attempts to learn to sail, You
have been patient and helpful in answering the questions we have thrown
your way. Like why a rope is a sheet, and not a line. :-)
Thank you
for the knowledge you have shared with us. Learning to sail is an
adventure, we decided ahead of time we wanted
to embark upon. So far
it's been great fun.
You provided us with a water craft that
challenges us, supplies us
with creature comforts, and is capable of handling the variety of water
activities we wish to engage in. All in all, the Mac 26X is 'great
fun.' And when we travel, the 26X will slip nicely into any RV park.
Should anyone scoff at our 'RV', I'll just smile and tell them,
"Mine
floats." Fair winds.
Michael & Rose Jones - Angel Wing |
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Dear John,
I am delighted to see two testimonials
from MacGregor 26X owners on your web site. Since I have probably
purchased more MacGregors from you than anyone else, I wish to add my
testimonial to your site.
I have sailed MacGregors for several
years, and I will continue to do so far into the future. As you know, I am
on my third MacGregor 26 in last last ten years. This is not because I
wear them out; it is because you always whet my appetite to have the
latest model.
The first MacGregor you sold me was the
26 Classic, a boat that served me well for several years, but when the
MacGregor 26X came out, I had to own the first one east of the Rockies. Of
course, you were there to accommodate my desire to buy one of the new
boats, and you made it easy for me to find the means to do so. I could not
justify stepping up to the 26X until I sold the Classic 26. This was not a
problem, because you found a buyer for the Classic.
When the 26X arrived, both you and I were
thrilled with its design and functionality. It took us a while to get the
feel of sailing with a wheel rather than with a tiller, but once we
mastered the feel of the wheel, we really loved the 26X. That was, until a
few years later when the revised 26X was released with the new rudder
system. Again, you helped find a buyer for my original 26X, and got me
into the latest model.
I cannot say enough good things about
your service and your knowledge of the MacGregor line of boats. You found
the perfect accessories to outfit the boats to make owning and sailing
them a great pleasure. I look forward to the continuation of our
friendship, and future hours our sailing our favorite boat.
Sincerely,
Ron Brown
Lincoln, NE
rbrown@acton.com |
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Dear John,
First, let me say how excited both Bridget
and I are to have our MacGregor 26X. Having a sailboat is a goal that I
have had since I was a child and I want to thank you for helping me reach
that goal. It truly is a beautiful boat and I very pleased with now that
it is on the water and ready to sail. The boat has met all my
expectations and your service has exceeded them.
John, since we first met you, you have shown yourself to be a very
helpful, kind and genuinely friendly person. It seems that it is
difficult to find knowledgeable and honest salespeople these days.
Frankly, once the sale is done, customer service seems to disappear. You
have made it clear through your actions and your words that this is not
the case with your operations. Not only are you very open and helpful
with questions and requests (many of which are probably trivial and silly)
you are obviously very expert at the art/science of sailing. And more
importantly, you are very free with your knowledge. It’s obvious obvious
that you enjoy teaching and watching people as they learn to sail.
Along the way we ran into some snags with my outboard motor, and I very
much appreciate your patience and effort in helping me with making it
right. I’m happy with the final results of the engine overhaul, although
it was an unanticipated expense. Anyway, now I have a new motor that
should provide good service for a long time. When I left on Sunday
evening, I attempted to tie the boat in its slip in a manner which would
prevent damage to the hull or the motor. I hope it is proper and not in
anybody's way. Perhaps, next time you are at the lake you could check it
and make sure it is all right. Well, once again, thank you so much for
your help, your kindness and your friendship. We are looking forward so
much to the rest of the summer and enjoying the boat and the lake. We can
hardly wait to return!!!
Thanks again,
Yours very truly,
Rich |
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Dear John,
It's been three months since we took
delivery on our '99 26x... I can't thank you enough! I spent a year
researching what boat would best fit my needs, ordering brochures and
videos, and reading as much as I could about sailing. Frankly, I picked
the boat before I picked the dealer. I visited a couple of Mac dealers and
called several others. As you would expect, they all wanted to sell me a
boat. You were different... from the first phone conversation, I could
tell you wanted me to love the sport.
I had no boating experience other than occasionally renting a power boat
or taking dinner cruises while on vacation. I had some concerns about
sailing in general and the MacGregor in particular. After visiting with
you, I was sure the MacGregor was going to be my boat and I would buy it
from you.
We've been sailing almost daily since you
delivered the Mac to our winter place in south Texas, trying to learn
something new each time out. The Mac survived our total lack of experience
and has been everything we hoped for.
The best part of all this: it's something
my wife and I have done together. We work together in our family business,
so we are around each other 24/7. We do a lot of traveling in our motor
home and truly enjoy each other. Sailing has given us the opportunity to
learn, grow, and work together as a team. We love it!
Your support has been "above and beyond
the call." I've purchased a lot of things much more expensive than the 26x
and never had follow-up like you provide. I was pleased when you called
after delivering the boat...even more amazing, the calls didn't stop.
We've met a lot of boat owners now... no one else has received follow-up
like you provide. Often times, they don't believe me when I tell them that
you call at least weekly to see if we have any questions and offer advice.
If I e-mail you, you always call back right away. Your vast knowledge of
the sport and the boat has made our learning curve go up quickly. We've
had other sailors on our boat who can't believe we've been sailing such a
short time when they see how we handle the boat and the weather. We have
you to thank for that.
One last note: I've heard owners of
bigger, heavier boats scoff at the 26x ("not a real sailboat", "Chlorox
bottle", "light rigging")... they're sitting on the dock while we're out
sailing! Our 26x has taken us through the Intracoastal, the Laguna Madre,
and the Gulf and done all that we've asked of it. I wasn't looking for a
blue water cruiser; I wanted a boat I could grow with (not grow out of)
and trailer to "the good places" (that changes with the seasons). The 26x
has been the perfect fit.
I truly didn't know if I'd want to sail
or motor. It didn't take me long to figure out what a joy it is to turn
off the motor and "ride the wind." Our Texas place is on a canal that
leads to the ICW; the motor gets us to the good sailing quickly. And one
time when an unforecast fog rolled in, it got us home quickly. But the
sailing is the best!
I used to think flying was one of the
best thrills I could enjoy...the faster the better. Who could have known
that 7 knots is a thrill, too? And for way less money than what it takes
to keep an airplane in the air! Thank you, John, for all your help
guidance, and advice... and for your willingness to share your love of
this fine sport.
Best Wishes,
Jim and Joan Bathurst, Dream Chaser
26x |
