Hi Roger,
Not trying to speak for Mike, but the MacGregor you are asking about is the 26 - either the X or the M models that can take a 50 hp motor. Those are both water ballast boats, where the MacGregor 25 has a weighted swing keel and uses a small hp outboard. Very different boats.
I did own a MacGregor 26x, and it does what they advertise. Not the greatest sailboat, nor the best powerboat, but it does both functions decently. A dealer friend of mine tells me that about half of the X and M boats are never sailed - they are the most inexpensive "cabin cruiser" you can buy new. (Well, only the M is available new these days) Those boats are lightly built, but I've never heard of any of them "breaking up." I wouldn't take one (willingly) into conditions we've had our C-Dory in, but we had ours in 40 knot winds with 5-6' closely spaced waves and nothing broke (this during a 60 mile race).
For what it's worth, I have seen quite a few MacGregor 26x boats in the PNW when we cruise that area... they are often sailing when other sailboats aren't. Traditional sailors seem to have something against the MacGregors; maybe because the boats are anything but traditional. Roger MacGregor does a good job of designing and marketing these boats, and seems to sell all he cares to make. I've also been on a 65' MacGregor sailboat that was a real rocket. And our neighbor has a 26 year old MacGregor 36' catamaran that is a fast boat. MacGregor owners have an enthusiastic owners group and are about as loyal as this group... but no forum like the C-Brats.
The 25 model that Mike has is one of the few trailerable boats inducted into the Sailing Hall of Fame. It's a good sailing boat, but motors at hull speed.
Blue Water Yachts in your neck of the woods is one of the biggest MacGregor dealers in the country.
Hope that sheds some light.
Best wishes,
Jim B.