FAQ

Here is a list of our frequently asked questions. You may save yourself some time if you read through these before contacting us regarding any queries you may have.

Is it possible to legally tow a MacGregor 26M in Italy/Europe?

Yes, it is possible, with a road-legal trailer and a B+E driving licence. The boat was designed with this very beneficial characteristic in mind.

How can I get a B+E driving licence?

If you have a driving licence for a car you just need to pass a theory exam and a practical test. The 'E' is just an extension of the 'B'.

Is the US trailer legal for use on Italian roads?

The US trailer is designed to US standards and is therefore not legal on European roads. Due to the incredible bureaucracy involved in modifying and matriculating a US trailer in Italy, it is actually cheaper to buy a brand new 'Made in Italy' trailer, than to have the original trailer modified. The US trailer can be used for launching, recovering and storing the boat, but it is not for road use.

What kind of car do I need to tow a MacGregor 26M?

It is not necessary to have an enormous car to tow a MacGregor. We offer two types of 'matriculated' trailer. The LBN1322, which has a maximum weight of 1.800kg, and the LBN2022, with a maximum weight of 2.000kg. These are the weights that your car must be able to tow.

Why do you offer two types of trailer?

We get our trailers directly from Ellebi, so we have very competitive prices. We offer two types of trailer: The LBN 1322 is a single axle trailer. The advantages of this trailer are:

More economical to purchaseEasier to manouevre the boat by hand on the trailerLess parts to maintain (Brakes, tyres etc)

However, this trailer has the capacity to carry only the boat and the engine. Any extra stores and equipment must be carried inside the car when the boat is towed.

The second type of trailer we offer is the LBN 2022, which is a double axle trailer. The advantages of this trailer are: 

Has a greater carrying capacity - lots of equipment can be carried in the boat when it is being towedHas a greater tyre area in contact with the ground. This means the trailer can be driven over more difficult surfaces (Grass, mud etc.) with greater ease.

 

Your choice of trailer is a personal one. If you want to tow your boat to far away places (Spain, Greece etc.) we recommend that you purchase the larger trailer. If you want to tow your boat for only short distances, and you don't mind having to carry equipment in your car, then the smaller trailer should suffice. Of course, you can also source your own trailer for your boat if you prefer.

How does the boat have to be prepared for towing?

Obviously every part of the boat has to be secure before towing. This is simply a case of using tie-wraps and rope to tie down the mast and rigging to the boat. A red and white marker board has to be fixed to most rearward part of the boat. It is also necessary to secure the boat to the trailer with 'ratchet straps' before setting off.

How much does it cost to get the boat into and out of the water?

This is easy with the MacGregor. All you need to get yourself into the water is a boat ramp (There are hundreds of ramps all over Italy, and many of them are free to use! Please see http://www.gommonauti.it/scivoli.php for a list of boat ramps near you. (This list is not exhaustive- there are many more ramps around and you will no doubt learn where there are lots more when you get your boat!) With the system outlined below, you can enter the water for free, without paying €xxx for the use of a boat lift or crane.

How do you use a ramp to get the MacGregor 26 into and out of the water?

There is a video of this on the Brochure & DVD page of this website. To enter the water, you simply drive the trailer into the water. The MacGregor floats off the trailer and then you drive the boat away. To put the boat back on the trailer, you simply drive the boat up to the trailer and pull the boat into position using the winch. Simple!

How do you raise and lower the mast?

The mast can be raised and lowered easily by one person using the optional mast-raising system. The forestay is the only part of the rigging that needs to be attached and unattached to raise or lower the mast, all other rigging stays in place. The mast can also be raised and lowered by hand with 2 people but it is a much easier one-person job with the mast raising system.

How does the water ballast system work?

MacGregor developed the water ballast concept which has been widely copied and is now the standard throughout the trailerable sailboat industry. Water ballast makes it possible to achieve both the light weight needed for powering and towing, and the heavy weight and stability for safe sailing.

After launching, the transom valve is opened, the tank in the bottom of the hull gravity-fills with around 520 kg of sea water, and the valve is closed. This process takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Under power or sail, the ballast makes the boat stable and self-righting.

When the boat is floated back onto its trailer, the valve is opened. As the car and trailer start up the ramp the water automatically drains out of the boat, leaving a towing package that is lighter than most small powerboats. The tank can also be emptied whilst the boat is in the water. If the valve on the transom is opened while under power, above about 7 mph, the water will automatically drain from the tank in approximately 4 minutes.

Is it possible to sail the MacGregor solo?

Yes, the MacGregor can be sailed single handed. If you wish to do this the roller-furling system is highly recommended as this can be operated very easily by one person. It is even possible to tow, launch, rig and sail the MacGregor, put it back onto its trailer, prepare it for towing, and take it home again, all with only one person! (As with any sailboat, everything is a lot easier with 2 people!)

Is it possible to add a shower to the MacGregor 26M?

It is relatively easy to add a transom-shower to the boat. It is a much more complex task to have a shower added to the inside of the boat. This is because there is no drainage system set up for an internal shower and the space inside the WC was never designed to accommodate a shower. It would be possible to have a boat works fit a shower inside the boat, but the costs would be high.

A very simple and effective solution to this is the solar shower. These can be left on the deck in the sun and can provide a hot-water shower in a very short time, using the natural power of the sun.

Is it possible to add a sink in the WC?

The same applies as above. A sink would be much simpler to fit into the WC area than a shower, but when you already have a sink just 2 metres away, the costs probably outweigh the benefits of this modification.

Can the MacGregor 26M be used just like a powerboat?

Yes, the MacGregor 26M is a very capable powerboat. If you wanted you could use the boat for years with just the engine. However, with the high costs of fuel these days, learning to sail would be an excellent investment!

Above all, sailing is a wonderful experience that, depending on the conditions, can be as challenging, rewarding, relaxing and peaceful as anything on earth. It would be a real shame to have a sailing boat as capable as the MacGregor and never use it to its full potential.

Is it possible to put a small engine on the MacGregor and use it like a 'traditional' sailboat?

Yes, this is certainly possible. The MacGregor is an excellent sailing boat and can be used for years without any higher-speed usage. The boat can take engines from 5-60hp but we would recommend 10hp as a minimum. It is a shame to lose the ability to plane as this is one of the unique capabilities of the MacGregor. Having said that, it is your boat so you can do whatever you like with it!

Is it possible to fit a 220V shore power system to the MacGregor?

This is a simple modification for a qualified electrician. There are several essential components which are required. These include RCD circuit breakers to protect people on and around the boat. Delfini Yachting can offer this as a non - standard accessory.

Is it possible to have a fridge fitted in the MacGregor 26M?

There are several possible solutions to this. Firstly, there is the space under the seat opposite the galley to accommodate a fridge or a coolbox. Secondly, there is a space at the rear of the boat where a large fridge or cool box can be located. An important consideration to bear in mind with a fridge powered from the boat's battery is the power consumption of the unit. It is highly recommended to have a second battery installed to power the fridge (And any other non-essential equipment). This battery can be charged from the engine's alternator and with a battery isolation system you can be sure that you will always have the engine starting battery charged and ready for use. The second battery can be completely discharged by accident but the starting battery will be unaffected with such an isolation system in place.

Is it possible to have a second burner fitted to the MacGregor 26?

The boat was designed to only have one burner in the cabin for safety reasons. It is however, possible to use a second burner outside the cabin and it is even possible to fit a barbecue to the pushpit!