Would this boat (link included below) suit a first-timer?

Question

Hi! I want to get in to sailing around my native south coast of England. I know I have a lot to learn both by reading and actually sailing, and I have important qualifications to earn before I even think about buying a boat, but please humour me!

I want something small but nice and financially viable that I can stick a picture of to my monitor, so I know what to aim for in my savings...would the boat below fit the bill for a novice sailor do you think, speaking in general terms?

http://www.macgregoruk.com/

I'd use it to cruise around the south coast and take my dad fishing and the fiancee and mother sunbathing on lazy Sundays- is this boat suitable?

Cheers!

Answer 1

Looks like an handy craft and fits well into the type of use you invisage.

As the others said, though a 9.9 hp 4stroke aux motor will be far better for those becalmed days.  Probably do 8-10 knots and with a quarter of the fuel consumption.

Sailboats are for taking it easy and enjoying the view.

With that hull shape (displacement), I doubt even a 120HP outboard would get her to go significantly faster than a 9.9.

Answer 2

I hope you're not going to buy a new one at 18k pounds.  MacGregors are mass produced boats designed for casual daysailing in good weather conditions in coastal waters.  Twenty-six feet is about the largest boat one can safely trailer in a personal vehicle.  If you have a dock, I suggest getting a older more seaworthy sailboat with stronger spars and rigging.  

The mast of this boat is stepped on the deck and is relatively light weight in order to safely handling by one or two people.  I suggest a Pearson Triton or any Alberg design.  A full keel sailboat offers better seakeeping ability and more interior space.  Besides crewing on many sailboats, I owned a Pearson Ensign (23ft) and sailed it safely by myself in six foot swells.  I wouldn't feel as safe in a MacGregor.

Answer 3

two good answers before me......my contribution is:

I've designed, built rebuilt and sailed a whole hat-full of boats around and about New England and the Caribbean......the builders claims of 20 mph with a 50 hp outboard are to my way of thinking preposterous and dangerous....to get to 20 knots the boat would have to plane, ie the hull come mostly out of the water and the boat you show is certainly NOT a planing hull.....and sticking an 400 lb outboard on the back of the boat...especially with that nice fold down transom... would make the boat squat horribly. This is kinda like saying you could take an RV ( caravan to you Brits) into a Formula One race......so it REALLY makes me wonder of the veracity of the builders other claims........

so yes, get your sailing certificates.....great way to meet people with boats looking for crew..... and contact other McGregor owners, and go to the boat shows and dream....

and there's space here in the West Indies for at least one more boat!

Answer 4

Lived on board for 4 years....Dont get a mcgreggor. If you want a boat get a contessa 26 used, theres one in good shape for about 10,000.

But honestly if your going to spend the money on a boat get something used made in the early 70s as they have thicker hulls.. look for a used pearson, columbia, cal or even a coronado. I have seen many a macgregor owners. And honestly sailors make jokes about them. I remember one boat I saw as it was being towed with is mast up and ran int some 12,000 volt pwerlines, we all joked about magregors as we put out the fires.

There are a slew of well made boats that can be trailored or moored, and for the price of a mg you can get something to take you as far as you'll ever want.

How you know you found your boat....

1. you didnt... she found you

2. she looks good from every angle.

How do you know you found a girl that can stay on it...

1. She can read a book in a car...

2. She can use a bucket.

Answer 5

Must admit I'd have my doubts about the speed under outboard . It certainly doesn't look like a planing hull, and hulls built for powerboat speeds are rarely suitable for sailing, and vice versa.

Personally, I'd do the training, as you wisely say, and during the process you'll get a bigger insight into what various boats are capable of and what suits your requirements.

Answer 6

You have chosen a pretty good little craft here. Its variable draught makes it OK for shallow waters as well as deeper seas. The rig is simple and the conning position well thought out. I'd say it was an ideal boat for your needs. Take a Coastal Navigation course and undertake basic seamanship skills first. As an ex seaman who has been around the globe, I'd say that the skills are as important as the boat. Maybe start your boat handling with a skilled mate.

Answer 7

Get along to the Boat Show and see what others of a similar size are available.

Do a search for "MacGregor yachts".

- You will find some second hand ones around the UK coast. If you are new to the game, then its better to get one that someone else has fitted out with all that is necessary, than to risk your knowledge. New boats rarely have everything included that you will need - and if they do, they are very expensive and you wont get your money back.

Then do a search on "Macgregor owners" and see what they think!

Answer 8

If I might be biased...and no offense intended. They're c**p.

They sail lousy...they only motor at top speed with a huge outboard and no rig.

Certainly, when the wind dies...they will get you home relatively quickly.  I don't feel they are particularly seaworthy if caught in nasty weather though.

Certainly nice looking to some eyes...but a HUGE COMPROMISE...

If you want shallow draft...consider a nice used Westerly...or something similar...browse ebay....phone a boat broker

Good luck...no harm intended.