New year's cruise and storage projects

[ScottWidmier]

I am planning on a cruise in my MacGregor 26 on St. George's Sound down in Florida starting probably on the 28th and launching from Carabelle. Let me know if any of you will be in the area!

In order to get the boat ready for a family of four cruising, I need to work on storage and organization. MacGregor's are nice basic boats but not much money or effort are expended in finishing out storage spaces. My first project was a storage rack to replace the mirror over the galley counter. I designed it to store cups, dishes, cutlery, my butane stove (hopefully Santa will bring me the exact model I got dimensions for), and CD's. Here is a picture before beautifying:

I decided to finish it natural so as not to darken the cabin much:

I decided not to sand while the varnish was drying so did my next project with a sewing machine and some duck cloth. Found plans for a hanging duffle in a book called "101 Fast and Easy Boat Projects" or something like that. The duffle attaches to the side of the boat with turnbuttons (I am trying velcro instead) and you are able to open it and access everything while it is hanging there eliminating something that normally winds up on the berth during the day and has to be moved at night. I have made five and plan on a sixth after I get another zipper.

Duckworks magazine sells these and below is a picture from their website of one in use:

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/duffel/index.htm

[john bowen]

Scott, did you buy your Mac at BoatingAtanta? Also, is it a M model?

http://www.boatingatlanta.com/

No, I don't plan on buying such but, a friend did last month from them.

http://www.glen-l.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2510&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Nice work on the rack and bag. Seems that both would come in handy.

[ScottWidmier]

Nope, I bought mine from Snug Harbor boats and it is a Mac 26 classic, 26D for daggerboard model to be exact from 1987. Been a very fun boat particularily since it is a very fast sailor. The 26D is the fastest Mac sailor other than the catamaran they used to make. I have beaten a J24 several times on adjusted time and a few times on unadjusted time! :shock: This is my first year racing sailboats.

Of course, I could never beat the M and X's under power even if I had more than my current 6hp.

[john bowen]

That looks like Lake Lanier? I see you have a nieghbor across the way with an X. I must admit, being able to run at 20, has it's advanteges.

When we were up there, just before we picked up the boat. We'd stopped by the lake, couldn't believe how low it was :shock: That ramp went a long way down before touching water. Beautiful lake with the fall colors. Wish we had more time while we were there to make a first splash.

Your D looks clean compaired to some I've seen. Sounds like your having fun with her. Best to ya with your racing. Mac's are fast, even if just under sail :wink:

[ScottWidmier]

That is actually Lake Allatoona and they draw it down every winter. Still have 35 feet under my keel at the slip! That boat across the way is actually a 19' powersailer.

I hate to admit that I had fallen for all of the anti-mac retoric spouted on the web especially about the newer models with higher-powered motor. However, I have come to admire MacGregor's business model and boats. The powersailers definitely have benefit for folks as pointed out by a friend of mine who just bought a boat for his house up a river from a bay. He pointed out that the speed under power means he can get out to the bay and have more time sailing. Doesn't matter that there are better performers out there under sail or power. The combination is perfect for his needs.

Still, I wish Mac would also produce a pure sailing version and, who knows, they might also turn out a good pure powerboat. Then again, that violates their business model and may impact the price of their boats.

[john bowen]

Well, I guess I had that all wrong :roll: Oh well, still a nice location you got there.

Ya might be interested in this,

http://bwyachts.com/La%20Perla%20Noir/Pearl%20Home.htm

They've gone to great lengths with the M.

[ScottWidmier]

That is a cool read, Thanks! I have wondered about rebuilding the daggerboard on a M26D with significant weight on the bottom and it is interesting to see what they did. Of course, I am just theorizing with no actual plans to do that. I like the beachability of the boat and how low it sits on the trailer.

[Charlie Jones]

Scott- as a Macgregor dealer, I can tell you "don't hold your breath" Bill who runs the plant tried to talk Roger into continuing building the X and phasing in the M, since the X was selling so well. Roger would hear none of it and shut the X line down several months before the M was really a reality. Lots of dealers got somewhat burned, holding existing X models, while the word leaked there was a new boat coming. Many X's just sat.

I will never understand it either, but it's HIS company and he HAS been successful as long or longer than any other small boat company around.

[ScottWidmier]

Warning, the following is in lecture mode just coming from teaching a marketing management course.

I can understand it from a business sense though I could see how his actions left dealers in the cold. MacGregor distinctive competency is operational excellence that gives a lower cost per boat (or at least comparable boat) than other manufacturers. This gives a higer profit margin in an industry where it is hard to have any sort of profit margin. In order to have low cost you have to sqeeze every cent until it bleeds analyzing and reanalyzing everything you do in order to reduce costs. Having more than one model of boat significantly increases costs in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, materials and administration. Another model not only would add costs but might cause cannabalism with current lines. Obviously, MacGregor either is happy with their current market share or believes there is still market share to get with the 26M.

Some of the other ways to cut on costs are evident in the boats primarily in terms of finish. Not that they don't look nice but the finish is really limited to the three (four?) molded parts of the boat leaving storage areas unfinished. Personally, I kinda appreciate the "blank canvas" approach enjoying personalizing the boat and customizing the storage to my particular needs. However, I could see how others might appreciate the finish of Compac boats.

What I do find amazing in MacGregors is the willingness to go on a limb and be innovative. Don't normally see that in a company pursuing low-cost leadership (operational excellence). Also, there seems to be less problems with innovative features, such as water ballast tanks, in MacGregor boats as compared to some of the competitors.

Sorry, I can't help but admire the strategy. Though pissing off the dealers isn't necessarily smart.