The Macgregor project

Teliki arrives

6 foot itis?

Thought we'd try a larger boat this year - since we spend pretty much every weekend on the water.

We started off looking at just about everything "trailerable". Fell in love with the Lancer 28, but it weighed in around 8000 lbs. The Lancer 25 was close to 7000 lbs. Then Catalina 25, C&C Redlines, Buccaneers, Chryslers - but no joy as all were well over 6000 lbs. These weights were from people who actually weighed their rigs, not from the manufacturers specs.

We really didn't want to purchase a dedicated tow vehicle. Something that tows 7 or 8 thousand pounds is not a vehicle you want to drive around town (from gas station to gas station). We also didn't want a boat under 25 feet as we feel our Matilda is the best boat in this range.

Long story short? Out of the four trailerables in the 25 foot range that can be towed with a regular mini-van, we settled on a 1992 Macgregor 26 "classic". I watched the Brandon?s sail a similar vessel in both light air and through a major storm. While the skill of the skipper is the most important aspect, "Sea Quell" took whatever was dished out. I was especially watchful of stability as this seems to be a continual discussion point with Mac's. Not sure why as all the other modern trailerables in this range are water ballasted too?

Anyway, we now have another "project" boat. Lots to repair, refit and replace on this one. The basic boat and rigging is sound but that's about it. Of course the price more than reflected this - and what is more fun than "messing around in boats" - especially if it saves money. I shouldn't?t say that last bit out loud - I'm sure there is some law prohibiting "boat" and "saving money" from being used in the same sentence!

Since it is almost sailing weather, I won't be adding much to this page. Check out the photo gallery link below to see what we're up to with this project. It will be continually updated as things progress.

P.S. This boat didn't have a name. That means we can come up with our own and Poseidon won't try and sink us! We settled on "Teliki" - first two letters of each of our daughters' first names, in birth order. Of course the youngest thinks hers should be first...

Two months later and in the water...