1984 MacGregor 26 vs 1996 MacGregor 65 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
1996 MacGregor 65
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | 1996 MacGregor 65 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | MacGregor |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1996–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Roger MacGregor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 15,876 kg (35,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 760 L (200.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 1 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and 1996 MacGregor 65 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the 1996 MacGregor 65 is a 1990s offering from MacGregor from USA. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The 1996 MacGregor 65 was designed by Roger MacGregor.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1996 MacGregor 65 at 19.81m (65.0ft) with a 5.18m beam. The 1996 MacGregor 65 is 12.01m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The 1996 MacGregor 65 displaces approximately 1491% 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 1996 MacGregor 65, with an SA/D of 19.30 and 120.0 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 1996 MacGregor 65 has a comfort ratio of 9.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 34.3% for the 1996 MacGregor 65, 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 1996 MacGregor 65 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 760L water and 380L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 MacGregor 65 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 1996 MacGregor 65 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 · 1996 MacGregor 65