Just a "follow up" so we can put this thread to bed. While the mast was down I used a wire bottle brush to clean out the mast track then sprayed the track with a dry lube. I also gave each slug a shot of the lube as they were fed into the slot. That did the trick, no issues as the halyard ...

Thanks for the replies guys. At the time I didn't want to apply any more force thinking that perhaps the head of the sail was right up to the block the halyard ran through. Now that I have verified that is not the case the cause must be the cumulative drag of all the slugs. Hopefully a good cleaning...

The mainsail that is......other bits working well. :) I replaced my original (2001) mainsail with a tri-radial from Precision Sails in Sydney BC in June '24. I have been very happy with it but was afraid that I gave them incorrect measurements regarding the length of the luff. While raising the sail...

One additional point that has not been mentioned is the dagger board. I have an X and have really come to appreciate the fact it will swing up on it's own when getting into the shallows. Whether that can be an issue depends on where you sail but if you consider upgrading you might as well take the p...

I have a 26X but it has the same CDI FF2. Re Q3, there is a pin that should be in the black roller. CDI calls it a "Luff support pin." The Luff Extrusion Is the long plastic part that your sail is wrapped around. the forestay runs through the center of it. The bottom end of the Luff Extrus...

I run my 26X up on the beach quite a bit and have not noticed any damage but only in calm waters. I have been considering a keel guard never the less. Have you thought about using a conventional guard but modifying the forward bunk so that there is no pressure on the guard? I would be very leery abo...

I can't think of any reason to bother doing that.
I bring the leg up ,then lower it on to the mechanical stop so that the hydraulic ram isn't holding the motor up as you tow.
A better use of your time would be to attach a red flag to the prop rather than disconnecting the steering.

I'm envious
The wind is blowing nicely here. It has broken the ice and driven it on shore but it will be a while before we'll be sailing!

That video is a good indication of what I should shoot for, thank you for that.
I'll have to modify my motor drive setup to operate much quicker than it is currently.

If anyone else has video of their auto pilot in action please post it up.

Looks good Kurz. Azzarac had posted in the Mods section how he used coachwhipping to cover his wheel. I used that method and although it eventually turned out nicely with a "Turks Head knot" at 12 o'clock, it was an exercise in frustration. https://i.postimg.cc/pyWq1Sns/PXL-20240213-164655...

Thanks March.
There hasn't been any discussion on that thread since April 2017.
My efforts are barely past the dream stage so I'll save pestering him for when I really need to. Do you know anything about that project, did it just die a quite death?

I have no experience with commercially produced wheel pilots other than what info has been posted on this forum. The speed at which an auto system can correct your heading after a wind gust, large wave or current will be critical I suspect. Could those that have them installed give me some idea of h...

As has been stated many times, these MacGregors are the perfect platform for modifications and improvements. As a consumate tinkerer I have probably spent almost as much time fettling my boat as sailing her. In preparation of building a DIY wheel pilot (perhaps the Holy Grail of mods) I disassembled...

I had quite a bit of play on my '01 26X. The remedy was replacing the original Teleflex setup with a Uflex T71FC unit. If you open the pedestal to see what you have you should be able to determine where the excessive play occurs. If the wheel can be moved that much without the cable moving, your ste...

I'm pretty sure it would not have bilge pumps as original equipment. Many folks have added them, check the "mods" section.
There are thru hulls for the galley sink and head sink drains that could be used.