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Evan · 14-01-2009, 19:48

They are structurally very weak. There is a thread on Sailing Anarchy about how bad they are.

Independence · 13-04-2009, 11:51

Great boat....no stuctural flaws to date and have sailed the hell out of it! LOVE the boat. Easy to maintain, work on and sail. I currently co-own a late production model with the engine in the rear compartment and believe that is the only way to go, if you have a choice. Fast in all directions, points well and, if the wind dies, the engine gets you there beautifully.

H Romberg · 13-04-2009, 14:55

I almost bought one. I had a neighbor on the chesapeake with one and I was always jealous of how far he could go in a weekend. The speed can get you out of trouble if you're smart. They do take up a lot of dock though. You'll want the pilothouse. Don't expect it to weather hurricanes, and keep in mind it's kind of a race boat. Not a lot of overbuilding. It's a lot of go fast for the money.

First Mate · 13-04-2009, 20:30

sounds like a fun boat. spartan interior though on the ones on Yachtworld.com

another one is on there again for a good price

Pelagic · 13-04-2009, 21:32

Have sailed one in Holland a few years ago.

Cheaply built…most fittings seemed undersized with poor structural backing and everything gave me the impression of being targeted for a novice who doesn’t know any better but wants the biggest boat in their marina at the cheapest price…..Run away!

s/v Sunsets · 18-09-2010, 15:14

We've had our Mac65 since 2002. We're quite happy with her. INDEPENDENCE is correct-- the engine in the aft cabin is sweet and the only way to go if you can. We have the pilot house which is very nice. I can sit up there, see what's going on and navigate my heart out. Some of the "ammeneties" that I wish she had: a bow thruster, electric winches, mainsail reefing from the cockpit, and a full enclosed cockpit (Impossible to fix, says my DH, because of the low boom and the traveller located in the middle of the cockpit. Of course, I say that could certainly be fixed with lots of money. DH does not like that.)

She has always handled quite nicely in the Chesapeake, which is where we sail. The boat has been through the Panama Canal, to Bermuda, New England, the Caribbean and Europe with her prior owner and we are taking her to the Virgin Islands this fall. It will be our first off-shore passage with her so I can tell you more how she handles out there after we arrive in mid-November. As far as I know, no structural problems, but will know better after the insurance survey next month. I'll report back.

When she was new back in the early 90s she only cost $250k fully loaded, so I guess that's partly why the boats are so inexpensive at resale-- that and the fact that all boats are depreciating assets. JZK is right-- she really is a stretched out 45 as far as living conditions are concerned.

CharlieCobra · 18-09-2010, 21:49

I came real close to buying Sceptre, the boat formerly known as "Joss" and a legendary M65. Somebody beat me to her though.

**David M** · 18-09-2010, 23:17

Run for the hills. Carl Schumacher described to me his experience on one years ago. He said it flexed like crazy. It's an amazingly under built boat.

Get a well designed boat instead

**Adelie** · 18-09-2010, 23:45

Interesting to note that the original model had a SA/D ration of 34.
The short mast/shoal draft version was down to 25 and the pilothouse version was 21.

Sailboatdata.com indicates in the notes that the Pilothouse version was built a lot beefier than the first two models and was oriented towards cruising. Data on the weights of the 3 models supports this.

It may be that the people who were unimpressed had experiences with the lighter racing models, and those who were impressed had experiences with the pilothouse/cruising model.

First Mate · 19-09-2010, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieCobra

I came real close to buying Sceptre, the boat formerly known as "Joss" and a legendary M65. Somebody beat me to her though.

She's on the docks at the marina in Everett WA.

She looks very pretty staring at her from the floating dock. The outside has been glossied and tarted up. Ohhh she's a pretty boat.

We were looking for boats - bought one Aug 27 - but before we found the one we have now, I was standing next to this MacGregor 65 on the dock.

the spousal unit would not let me call the broker and go on board for a look.

He put the proverbial foot down and said "noooooo!!!!!!!"

At least I got close to one.

Maybe you should go take a look see....

First Mate · 19-09-2010, 21:53

1984 Macgregor Cutter Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

someone should buy her. the price! omg

and she looks nice on the outside in person and actually better than the photos - a rare thing. someone please buy her and take me as crew on a day trip. she must surely fly.

CharlieCobra · 20-09-2010, 07:32

I don't know if that's Joss, renamed Sceptre, renamed Longfellow or not. If she has a sugar scoop and a fin keel with bulb, it's Joss, who held the Newport to Ensenada record for over 30 years until a 100' Maxi broke it in '09 (I think). I haven't been down to see this one....

gonesail · 20-09-2010, 07:55

too much plastic on this boat. also take a look under the mast .. there's some kind of grid there and i think it may be metal which can be corroded. this is a racing boat and not a cruiser.

**Adelie** · 20-09-2010, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieCobra

I don't know if that's Joss, renamed Sceptre, renamed Longfellow or not. If she has a sugar scoop and a fin keel with bulb, it's Joss, who held the Newport to Ensenada record for over 30 years until a 100' Maxi broke it in '09 (I think). I haven't been down to see this one....

I thought the MacG65's were introduced in the mid-80's?