65' MacGregor Sailboat

[First Mate]

any thoughts on this one?

one for sale for $109K. We'd actually give up on the shallow draft. Or think about it.

Anyone care to tell me what they know about how this boat performs, its flaws, good points? Is it really the rocket ship the ad claims?

Thanks,

FM

[bob perry]

Downwind it's a rocket, upwind it struggles.

[First Mate]

I'm stunned.

Since the beam is 11'8" and the length is 65', the thing should point like an arrow and fly! huh....

[Bash]

...check for evidence of oil canning.

[shadow]

As a total newbie, what is oil canning??

[James S]

That’s like a buckling of the hulls skin...it goes in then back out again...like when you squeeze the side of an oil can.....puck....it goes in....pick ....it comes back out.

[jzk]

I suspect that you are looking at the non-pilothouse version. I have looked at some pilothouse versions, and I must say I kind of like the boat. The cockpit leaves a little to be desired, but that gives you the spacious aft cabin. I prefer the tall rig, as the regular rig is so short that it really looks goofy. The concept is that the Mac 65 is really like a stretched out 45 footer.

[Joli]

I can think of many other boats I would rather own then that one. Maybe do a search in your price range.

Originally Posted by First Mate

any thoughts on this one?

one for sale for $109K. We'd actually give up on the shallow draft. Or think about it.

Anyone care to tell me what they know about how this boat performs, its flaws, good points? Is it really the rocket ship the ad claims?

Thanks,

FM

[Bash]

Originally Posted by James S

That’s like a buckling of the hulls skin...it goes in then back out again...like when you squeeze the side of an oil can.....puck....it goes in....pick ....it comes back out.

An apt description! When I suggest the surveyor check for "evidence," I mean checking how well the bulkheads are attached, checking for movement of the chainplates, et cetera.

You really want to ask why the market value of a 65 footer is so low. And it's not just the particular model you're looking at; the entire production run of M65s has come available for a wink and a pinch. Part of this is that they don't have a reputation for being sturdy hulls.

[Amgine]

Remember, they were a value-priced entry when first introduced, too.

What I'd love to see is a 65'x10' - even 8' beam - with a removable keel of about 12', and maybe a shorter mast... ::wanders off dreaming up light narrow boat::

Oh, as for buying it... Check the price per pound with a surveyor.

[First Mate]

doesn't sound like there's too many fans of this boat

[jzk]

I don't know much about the earlier, non-pilot house versions. However, I have seen several pilothouse versions, and all were in great condition with no evidence of any kind of fiberglass fatigue. And, I have read a few surveys of Mac 65s, and these boats hold up very very well.

And, they basically are selling for the same price as when they were new. Not bad at all. I am not sure I like the style of the boat, but if you go take a look at one, it will surprise you. These boats have sailed all over the world.

[Amgine]

The MacGregor 65 seems like a reasonable boat for the price. IIRC, you will find the ends are stuffed with floatation, and the resulting boat has smaller volume than you'd think for a boat of this size and displacement. It's lighter, with a shorter mast and smaller sail area for a boat of this size as well. It will not perform (flat out speed, as well as comfort performance) at the same level as boats in its length class but which are an order of magnitude more expensive.

Will it outperform (both speed and comfort) a $109k Catalina 28 Mk II? I strongly suspect so. But it may cost rather a bit more to restore/revitalize before heading anywhere.

[Maddog]

Originally Posted by bob perry

Downwind it's a rocket, upwind it struggles.

Bob - It is good to see you post here.

[bstreep]

#1 - if you are a "newby", then pay attention. Bob Perry is your antithesis. Try googling him.

#2 - most every cost associated with a boat seems to be quoted "per foot". That means your 65' boat with the same displacement as a 40 footer, will cost you 75% more than the 40 footer.

Really, these are cool boats. In theory, anyway.