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- With the 50 hp outboard, the 26 will go about 22 mph. It
will easily pull a water-skier. This adds one more bit of fun to the voyage.
It will actually pull most waterskiing adults at high enough speeds to create some real
excitement. (Forget about pulling a crowd.)
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- THE MACGREGOR 26 IS A REALLY GOOD POWERBOAT. At high speed, it has a remarkably comfortable, stable ride. The very sharp entry slices thru waves efficiently. It is highly maneuverable, and only a light touch on the wheel is required to hold a perfect course. Ample fuel storage is provided. There are storage hatches in the cockpit that will hold 2 standard 12 gallon fuel tanks. If you are not interested in high speed powering, the boat performs well with a 5 or 10 horsepower engine.
We limited the engine size to 50 hp for a number of reasons. An electric start 50 hp motor provides lots of speed, yet it is light enough so that sailing performance is not compromised. It is about the largest engine that can be started by hand, a nice feature if your battery goes dead. Also, the heavier, higher horsepower engines really eat up gas.
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- WHEEL STEERING. It is easier and more natural to drive the boat with a steering wheel than with a tiller, and a lot more comfortable. The steering pedestal mounts on a narrow pylon to allow lots of foot room in the cockpit.
THE 26 HAS TWO ENGINES, THE SAILS AND THE MOTOR. If a conventional powerboat's engine quits when you are away from land, or on a remote part of a lake, you are stuck there until outside help arrives. In many cases, attempts to start the engine drain the batteries so even radio communication becomes impossible. With the 26, simply raise the sails, and head for home. There are calms now and then, but there will usually be enough wind to get you on your way.
Even if you are only interested in sail, you might consider
this. Many areas have those wonderful sailing spots that are just out of
reach! Here in Southern California a favorite spot is Catalina, an island
about 25 miles off the coast. Getting there and back has always taken most
of a weekend. You can be sure that sailors will use the dual nature of the
26 to shorten the distance. After a short, fast commute across the channel
in their power cruiser, they can spend the weekend sailing from cove to cove
and anchoring for the night. Maybe they will even stay Sunday night and
speed back at dawn on Monday. You can't do that in a conventional sailboat.
If you have a favored place that is just out of reach for a conventional
sailboat, consider the 26.
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