Hunter 23.5 vs. MacGregor 26

[sl...@cc.usu.edu]

We're currently shopping around for a good trailerable sail boat and have
narrowed our choices down to the Hunter 23.5 and the MacGregor 26. I've read
the info on the MG in the FAQ, as well as a comparison article on these two
boats in Sail magazine. I'm looking for some more info. Here's the important
stuff:

1. I've got a great deal on the Hunter that will make the cost only about a
thousand (or less) more than the MG. They're both brand new.

2. Whichever one I buy will need to be towed behind a V6 Aerostar Van, with a
tow rating (they claim) of 4500 lbs.

3. It's to be used mostly for lounging about in lakes around the Rockies,
although if possible, I'd like to take it down to San Diego/Mission Bay once or
twice a year.

4. Headroom/elbowroom in the cabin is -very- important. We'd like to sleep
out on Lake Powell for a couple nights in it.

Does anyone have experience with either/both of these boats? Ideas? Thanks!

Michael Ames

sl...@cc.usu.edu

[lbsisk on BIX]

We looked at both boats last year. We bought the Hunter. The only
real advantage the MacGregor has is the enclosed head compartment,
and we decided that wasn't very important. If you really intend
to have someone sleep in the forward V-berths, that might be important
to you, as that's where the Porta-potti is in the Hunter, so someone
sleeping there would find nocturnal visits rather annoying. We have
two young girls, and they sleep on the settees, rather than in the
V-berths, which are used only for storage.

The Hunter is more nicely furnished, we thought, and the trailer
seems to be more heavily built and rugged. After a year's
experience with it, including a hellacious squall-line with hurricane
force winds which we rode out at anchor during the Memorial Day
weekend, we think we bought the right boat.

The vehicle you described will tow either boat without problems.
If you have other specific questions, feel free to drop me a note
in email.
- Lindy Sisk lbs...@bix.com

[sawin...@delphi.com]

Not exactly on point, I used to own a McGregor 21. Unless their internal
quality
has improved in the past few years, I would choose the Hunter. Sounds
to me like you should look into a good used boat, more boat for the $.
Stan Winikoff