1984 MacGregor 26 vs 1975 Cal 29 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | 1975 Cal 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Cal |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1975–1981 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Bill Lapworth |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and 1975 Cal 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the 1975 Cal 29 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The 1975 Cal 29 was designed by Bill Lapworth.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1975 Cal 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1975 Cal 29 is 1.04m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The 1975 Cal 29 displaces approximately 218% 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 1975 Cal 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1975 Cal 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 42.9% for the 1975 Cal 29, 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 1975 Cal 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cal 29 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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Or view individual specs: 1984 MacGregor 26 · 1975 Cal 29