first boat

D

donmiguel

Recruit
Joined
Dec 28, 2002
Messages
1
I'm 31yrs old and looking to buy my first boat for my wife and 2 kids(1yr+3yrs) I've done ALOT of research on the internet and brochures. Power or sail?? The MacGregor 26 looks good, and to learn the basics before I throttle up sounds great! The Mac sounds good, TOO good to be true. I want to make sure I've bought a good and safe boat for my family. I plan on using it for long weekends and light cruising around Boston harbor and her islands. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks alot Mike.
 
flashback

flashback

Captain
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,963
Re: first boat

There are a lot of macs around the lake here, but from what i have seen, they seem to be some what sparse or bare. they are a lot of bang for the buck but the quality may be questionable. not knowing there different models, i can't say which it is, but they do make one about 24-26 feet long that i definitly would not have, and that is the one with the 35-40 horse outboard and a little short stubby sloop rig. seems as though it would not do either very well...motor or sail.....
 
S

spcrowell

Recruit
Joined
Jan 9, 2003
Messages
3
Re: first boat

1st boats are great, kind of like 1st girlfriends! Get a good one and it can last for a lifetime...A bad one, Oy Vey!!!<br /><br />Don't overlook those beautiful Cape Cats! They are very forgiving, have tons of room and are great to learn on. Remember, if Mom isn't happy, NOBODY will be happy! I'm still suffering from that mistake w/a poor boat purchase with small kids....<br /><br />Good luck w/whatever you end up with....
 
P

plywoody

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 11, 2002
Messages
685
Re: first boat

I love to sail, but with kids as young as yours are, I might look closer at powerboats. there is typically a lot more room for the kids to move around, and watching toddlers is an impossibility while under sail.<br />Of course you can motor everywhere in the sailboat, but there still is a lot less room than a powerboat...<br />Just something to keep in mind, IMO.
 
J

jimfj

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
40
Re: first boat

I have expirence with the mac 26 and it is not a well built boat. the glass is thin and I agree that the way this one is set up it will neither sail or motor well. My suggestion is a Catalina 25 or 27. The 25 sails great and costs are reasonable and Catalina supports every model it has ever made. The space inside a 25 is reasonable for use with a couple or a small family and the cockpit is surrounded by life lines to keep the little ones corraled. the 27 is a bigger boat and a little harder to handle short handed but still sails very well. Bothe are made to outstanding quality and will hold their value.<br /><br />Jim
 
sloopy

sloopy

Commander
Joined
Jul 12, 2002
Messages
2,999
Re: first boat

don't get me wrong! the mac 26 is not a thing of quality! it is more on the crap side. But it is a great boat for beginers and you can water ski off of it..
 
R

Raghauler

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 5, 2001
Messages
161
Re: first boat

My $0.02<br /><br />Mac's are OK boats. They are very thin in terms of their lay up of fiberglass... It keeps them inexpensive (Fiberglass materials are sold by the pound, true of all boats). That said, Mac owners love them and they seem to last a long time. I remember a sailor telling me that they are designed sort of like a kayak... thin FG that flexes and bends, but never breaks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top