1984 MacGregor 26 vs 1971 C&C 27 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
1971 C&C 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | 1971 C&C 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1971–1975 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and 1971 C&C 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the 1971 C&C 27 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The 1971 C&C 27 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1971 C&C 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1971 C&C 27 is 0.43m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The 1971 C&C 27 displaces approximately 150% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 m² of sail area. The 1971 C&C 27, with an SA/D of 17.13 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The 1971 C&C 27 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 41.8% for the 1971 C&C 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The 1971 C&C 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 C&C 27 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1984 MacGregor 26 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 MacGregor 26 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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