1984 MacGregor 26 vs 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Nonsuch |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Other |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Mark Ellis |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra is a 1980s offering from Nonsuch from Canada. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra was designed by Mark Ellis.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra is 1.34m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra displaces approximately 355% 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 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra, with an SA/D of 14.46 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra has a comfort ratio of 19.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 40.0% for the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra, 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 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.