Nice Gun, But Still
2 hours ago
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Boat Update
So my lovely wife and checked out a MacGregor 25. It has a lot of pluses: like-new sails, excellent condition 9.9 Merc outboard, solid trailer, hull and rigging in good shape. Even the canvas for the pop top was in good condition.
One of the weak spots on this model is where the mast sits on the cabin roof. The guy thought it looked like a weak design to him too, so he did an excellent job reinforcing it with a big stainless steel plate. It looks solid.
The price was right, and negotiable too.
On the downside, the interior needs work. It had a cheap interior when new and time has done it no favors. No galley. All the wiring should be redone. Someone routed the wires so all the splices were in a low spot that collected water.
All in all, the boat has no major problems that can't be dealt with.
However, my lovely wife and I did not fall in love with it. Some things looked a bit clunky to me. My wife thought it was too big.
Yeah, too big.
Now a 25 boat will often be the smallest boat in a marina. Drop it in the Gulf of Mexico and it looks like a rubber ducky. We are planning a long trip and most people would think a boat this size too small. For us, it might be too big. We like things cozy.
We are completely self contained on an Oday 19 for a week or more. All we'd need is more water to extend our time on the water. In reality, since we are coastal cruising, we stop on land every 3 – 4 days, at the most. Still, there's no denying it's a small boat. If we do use this boat on our trip, I'll do some rearranging to the interior, upgrade some wiring, add a boom tent, and some instrumentation. Still, small boat equals small problems.
In the next couple of weeks we'll be looking at some 22 foot boats, just to see how they fit. We'll have to make up our mind soon. I have to get a boat ready for October. I don't want to spend time and money working on one boat, only to decided on a different one.
Later in the day, we took our Oday out on the lake with a friend, a granddaughter and the dog. The adults opened a bottle of wine, the 6 year old took the tiller, and we meandered around the lake. After watching a beautiful sunset, we motored back to our beach. Perfect way to end the day.
-Sixbears
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I can't imagine a 25-footer being too big for coastal sailing, but then I'm a 100% land-lubber, so what do I know?
ReplyDeleteWe've taken canoes in the ocean, so our standards might be a bit off.
DeleteI agree on "the smaller the boat the smaller the problems, the smaller the costs". I know we picked a big beast to build. But this is going to be a live-on-board so I'll put up with its shortecomings (just like those of a house I suppose) At some stage though, we'll have a smaller boat to potter around in.
ReplyDeleteTalking of boats, I'd be interested to know what you think of this one Sixbears? www.bauhausbarge.com
The Bauhaus Barge is interesting, but I keep thinking of less expensive ways to do the same job. Too used to working with tight budgets, I guess. I bet your whole project comes in for less money than the PV system.
DeleteYes my boat will likely be a lot less. I think this boat shows that it can be done, but there is a high price to this one too. I won't have an electric cooker on board mine for a start. I think mine will show it can be done on much less expense!
DeleteWhen compared to an Oday...Yes a MacGregor would indeed be clunky.
ReplyDeleteLook at a 25 Catalina !
I can't fine a 25 Catalina within reasonable driving distance. Still looking.
DeleteSounds like it was an easy decision even though there were lots of things to like... Liking isn't enough though and you're right, you have to fall in love with a boat.
ReplyDeleteThe reason you row your tender backwards is so you can keep looking at your pride and joy as you row away from it...
The best boat is the smallest boat that will do the job. I really believe that and the same goes for motor homes too.
Instead of getting extra water storage why not consider a small portable desalination unit for the yacht... or maybe you've considered that already.
Sounds like you had a fun day anyway. Without buying a new boat...
It was a great day.
DeleteYeah, I am from the smaller is better school.
I love your reason for rowing the tender backwards.
The O'Day is no doubt tight, but fine for extended two-up cruising.
ReplyDeleteSea-worthiness is also a major consideration. For internal volume and blue water sailing, the Flicka 20 would be choice #1.
http://www.flicka20.com/Brokerage/Flickas-For-Sale.aspx
Choice #2 would be a Mongomery 17 or 23.
http://msog.org/cfmods/M-boats4sail.cfm
Options would be a Victoria 18 (very tight) or a West Wight Potter 19.
Flickas are pretty boats. Saw one die in a storm one night. Very sad. Husband wife team soaked but OK. Not the fault of the boat.
DeleteMy budget is an issue. Right now, being able to easily put a boat on a trailer is another consideration.
As the summer moves on, people in New England start to think about getting rid of them boat before fall. Winter storage can be a hassle. There may be some really good deals later on.
A converted ambulance and a sail boat, you got the best of both worlds. You can have fun on land or on the sea.
ReplyDeleteI do have the best of both worlds. Life is good.
DeleteI never cared much for the MacGregors, they just plain look cheap to me. And I never see any out sailing. See lots of Catalina 22s though, and old ones at that...
ReplyDeleteMy lovely wife and I plan on checking out a few Catlina 22s next month.
DeleteI guess I keep wanting those old MacGregors to be better than they really are. The one we looked at could have done the job, but I'd always feel like I was putting lipstick on a pig.