Macwester 26

[Chris 69]

Can anyone give me any thoughts on this boat thinking of getting one, thanks.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Chris 69

Can anyone give me any thoughts on this boat thinking of getting one, thanks.

MACWESTER 26 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

Lightly canvassed, though it is a UK design so probably fine for there. The 1971 & 72 model had a slightly larger rig which would be nice but probably not a stupendous improvement.
Twin keels with shallow draft, good for the UK area with big tides where you will be sitting on the the ground periodically.
Based on displacement, ballast, LoA and beam, pretty heavily built.
Double lowers is good.
Rather wide for length. Good for living volume, not so good for speed.
Originally with a Vire Petrol inboard. Confirm what is actually installed on the boat. Find out if it still runs well. If the Vire has not been replaced then you need to do one of 3 things:
1. Find out if there is substantial after market support for the Vire. If so you can keep going with it regardless of condition. If it runs well but there is little after market, then you know you need to be thinking of replacement in the medium to long term.
2. Replace it with a new diesel (nobody makes small gas inboards anymore). My suggestion would be the Farymann 18W (Farymann Diesel :: North America) or Yanmar 1GM10 (Sailboat and small craft engines - Yanmar Marine) The smallest Betamarine is really too heavy and to way more power than you need.
3. Mount an outboard on the stern. 7-9.9hp

Good Luck

[boatman61]

Lovely old boats from the 60's.. bilge keel so great for dry out maintaining of hull etc.. over 9ft beam so roomy for the length and reasonable headroom at around 5ft 9" under the hatch... interiors varied greatly as some were only part built if memory serves.. sailed pretty well and are still popular around the UK.. tough old boats.
Atoll (a member here) took one on and rebuilt the interior and re-masted her.. maybe he'll spot this and chime in.
What engine has she.. they were fitted with Vire petrol engines back then.

[Chris 69]

Originally Posted by Adelie

MACWESTER 26 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

Lightly canvassed, though it is a UK design so probably fine for there. The 1971 & 72 model had a slightly larger rig which would be nice but probably not a stupendous improvement.
Twin keels with shallow draft, good for the UK area with big tides where you will be sitting on the the ground periodically.
Based on displacement, ballast, LoA and beam, pretty heavily built.
Double lowers is good.
Rather wide for length. Good for living volume, not so good for speed.
Originally with a Vire Petrol inboard. Confirm what is actually installed on the boat. Find out if it still runs well. If the Vire has not been replaced then you need to do one of 3 things:
1. Find out if there is substantial after market support for the Vire. If so you can keep going with it regardless of condition. If it runs well but there is little after market, then you know you need to be thinking of replacement in the medium to long term.
2. Replace it with a new diesel (nobody makes small gas inboards anymore). My suggestion would be the Farymann 18W (Farymann Diesel :: North America) or Yanmar 1GM10 (Sailboat and small craft engines - Yanmar Marine) The smallest Betamarine is really too heavy and to way more power than you need.
3. Mount an outboard on the stern. 7-9.9hp

Good Luck

Hi, and thanks for your comments.
It has a 8hp yanmar ysm.