MacGregor 26X

The MacGregor 26X (1995–2003) is the original 'powersailer': a new, broad-sterned planing hull that kept the 26's water ballast and pivoting centreboard, added twin kick-up rudders and a transom rated for a 50 hp outboard, and reached 20-plus knots under power while still sailing as a fractional sloop. About 5,200 were built, making it one of the best-selling 26-footers of its era.

Roger MacGregor replaced the 26S with the 26X in spring 1995, telling Practical Sailor he expected to build 900 in the first year; by 2000 some 4,000 had been sold at a rate of one boat every two hours, at a base price of $14,995 with trailer and sails. From spring 1999 the balsa-cored deck was replaced by solid fiberglass over moulded U-section beams. The 26X was superseded by the 26M for the 2003 model year.

Hand-laid solid fiberglass hull, 3/16–3/8 in thick in low-load areas and up to 3/4 in at the centreboard trunk and bow, with the hull-deck joint bolted on 4 in centres. A 1,500 lb water-ballast tank runs from 3 ft forward of the transom to the V-berth. The 25 lb centreboard retracts fully for powering; the twin transom-hung rudders kick up. The 7/8 fractional rig has two shrouds a side and swept spreaders; jib sheeting angle is 11 degrees.

Best in 10–15 knots on a close reach; first reef at 15–20 knots and second above 25. Under power a 9.9 hp gives 6–7 knots, 25 hp 12–14 knots and 50 hp over 20 knots, but the boat must be run with the tank full or empty (never partly filled), board and rudders up and sails off when planing.

Advertised for six (the builder conceded two too many): a 90 x 78 in berth aft under the cockpit, a V-berth 76 in wide at the head, and a dinette converting to 80 x 41 in. Headroom is 5'10" at the companionway and less amidships; the galley is small and the head is enclosed only by a smoked Plexiglas door.

Treated as its own model under the MacGregor 26 family because the hull, rig and concept are new; there are no recognised sub-generations, although 1999-on boats have the solid-beam deck. Sources disagree on beam: Practical Sailor 90 in, the Good Old Boat database 7.92 ft, Wikipedia 7.82 ft. The magazine figure is recorded as canonical per source priority; all three are under the 8 ft trailering limit.

Practical Sailor flags the limited bilge (a stability risk if water accumulates), the stern ladder's proximity to the propeller, rough interior surfaces and glass shards, too much weight aft with a big outboard, and a very small galley. Owners upgrade the rig, rewire, and fit backing plates.

Sailing Magazine (2012) put used 26X boats under $10,000; Practical Sailor (2024) quotes a 1996 example at $12,900. Prefer post-1999 decks. Check the ballast valve and vent, both rudders and the board pennant, the transom for outboard-load cracking, and whether the boat comes with its trailer and a sound 50 hp motor, which represents much of the value.