MacGregor 26 S Buyer's Guide
The MacGregor 26 S is the 1990–1995 swing-keel member of the water-ballasted trailer-sailer family, with 6,000 produced. A used MacGregor 26 S appeals to a buyer who wants a light, beamy coastal cruiser that trails behind a family vehicle and floats in 15 inches of water, but the design's shortcuts mean a viewing should focus on structural leaks and early electrical decay.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 26 S carries a 7-foot-10-inch beam and a cabin that extends to the rail, producing a large interior for the length with a queen-size berth under the cockpit. The all-fiberglass interior is easy to maintain, but storage is minimal and the cockpit is tight with low seatbacks. The centerboard pivots into a slot in the ballast tank so it does not intrude on the cabin, and the galley-counter board control line reflects a layout oriented to sheltered-water day sailing rather than offshore work.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Heating, solar panels, and a bimini are commonly fitted on brokerage boats, speaking to owners who extended seasonal use and battery capacity beyond the original single-toggle electrical system. The as-delivered wiring was lamp cord with wire nuts and an untinned group 24 battery lacking a box, so a solar upgrade usually arrives with a rewire. A bimini addresses the open cockpit, while heating offsets the thin liner and plywood-cored deck's moisture tendency.
What to Inspect
The hull-deck joint is through-bolted but sealed with foam weather-stripping that owners report leaks; check for staining at the joint and probe the plywood deck core near fittings for softness. Gelcoat cracks at virtually every deck fitting are common, and blisters in nonskid areas should be noted. The centerboard's 3/8-inch pin and trunk slop produce thumping; retract the board fully to confirm the noise stops and inspect the pin for wear. The ballast tank drains far too slowly, so ask to watch a drain and time it. Original wire connections turned to dust within 12 months, so inspect the battery area for a proper box and tinned replacement wire. The forward cockpit wall liner punctures easily—press gently to test for delamination.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up in the United States and Germany. Before you commit, run through this short list:
- Confirm the hull-deck joint is dry and the deck core sound
- Retract the centerboard to verify the thumping ceases
- Watch the ballast tank drain and judge the speed
- Check for a rewire with tinned wire and a battery box
- Test the forward cockpit liner for punctures or thin spots
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the MacGregor 26 S. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $11,073 | — |
| Dec 25 | 1 | $12,000 | +8.4% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $95,000 | +691.7% |
Where they're listed
MacGregor 26 S listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 2 (66.7%), followed by Germany.
Country view
3 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $53,500 | 2 | 1 | 66.7% |
| Germany | $11,073 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
5 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 22 | 23.83' | $ 6,500 | 79 | 24 |
| Hunter Marine 26 | 25.75' | $ 12,500 | 15 | 10 |
| MacGregor 25 | 24.92' | $ 4,500 | 13 | 7 |
| Viko S 26 | 27.89' | $ 52,975 | 12 | 1 |
| MacGregor 26 SYou are here | — | $ 12,000 | 3 | 1 |