Fatal Capsize of MacGregor off King Harbor

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Really sad outcome. I wonder if the water ballast tank was full? Seems like the boat should have righted if knocked down.
Several decades ago there was a fatality in our area when a SJ-21 was knocked down and its swing keel retracted - which caused it to turtle IIRC. Trapped one person inside.
Do those boats have positive floatation? (It appears so in the picture, perhaps.)
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Whatever we may think of the design intention (motorboat and sailboat), they're unsinkable and can be trailered and used as campers, too.

There are quite a few in trailer storage around here. One passed me a couple of years ago going about 20 knots, planing with its big outboard roaring.

Owners saw utility, kind of a Swiss army knife. The boat did many things but none of them very well.

 

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Owners saw utility, kind of a Swiss army knife. The boat did many things but none of them very well.
Tactful and factual. Well stated.

We used to have one of their early 19' models in our club and it looked about the same. Same ballast situation. the owners sold it after several seasons and bought a smaller sailboat to get a better sailing experience.
 
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