Search found 70 matches

by tuxonpup
Sun Jul 13, 2025 8:50 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

Oh and the outboard still needs 12v right? So how do you deliver that? There is still a 12V lead acid starter battery connected directly to the motor, all the 24V house battery wiring would be run from the separate pair of LiFePO4s. Currently we just charge the starter battery from the alternator a...
by tuxonpup
Sun Jul 13, 2025 8:30 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

You have given this much thought. That can be dangerous. I wonder how many TRUE 12v devices we have on our boats. You are probably right about LEDs being tolerant of dual voltage. I guess all this relies heavily on dual 12v batteries in a series. If one fails, the whole system might suffer. Or not ...
by tuxonpup
Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:37 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

24v? Interesting. So those devices would have their own 24v circuit? You still need 12v for most other stuff. That will take some planning It would reduce the wire gauge required for the fridge. I had to run a heavy wire for my fridge because the voltage drop over distance. I hadn't managed to shak...
by tuxonpup
Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:21 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Have you ever had the itch to sell your 26M/X and buy a "true" sailboat?
Replies: 66
Views: 17551

Re: Have you ever had the itch to sell your 26M/X and buy a "true" sailboat?

We only really considered two models when shopping last year, the 26X/M, and the Nimble 24. Really liked the yawl sail plan and shallow draft, interior headroom/space won out in the end: https://sailboatdata.com/listing/1989-n ... l-cruiser/
by tuxonpup
Sun Jul 06, 2025 11:38 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

You are experiencing the cooling from a REAL compressor. I wish there were better tech, but so far this is it. Give it some air and it will be fine. I'm not familiar with the X but if it can vent out anywhere it should be fine. That area is subject to the hull heat transfer right? Looking forward t...
by tuxonpup
Fri Jul 04, 2025 9:02 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

Hi Tuxonpup! Nice cooler! Great upgrade! An option to consider is to add a pair of strategically 4x4” or larger through ventilation grill holes through the side walls of the tub and bench seat for air to circulate. One aligned with where the cooler air intake is and one where the exhaust is. If you...
by tuxonpup
Thu Jul 03, 2025 5:01 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

That looks like a good one. Keep an eye on it when you first start to use it. I think you said you were planning on putting it under the aft dinette seat. Just make sure that it is getting enough air circulation to work properly. Yeah, I really hadn't factored that in until I got it and saw the air...
by tuxonpup
Thu Jul 03, 2025 4:26 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

It is interesting how some solar panels will drop 90% of their output if just a small section is blocked from the sun (like your boom). It's wise to clean them as I'm sure dust and bird poo reduces their output. My solar panel is mounted off the back of the boat over the motor. The :macm: mast crut...
by tuxonpup
Wed Jul 02, 2025 12:37 pm
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Adding LiON to existing system
Replies: 44
Views: 9351

Re: Adding LiON to existing system

Be Free wrote: Wed Jul 02, 2025 8:33 am Outboard <--> lead acid start battery --> dc-dc charger --> lithium house bank.
Cheap(ish), safe, easy.
This is what our configuration ends up as, just with the addition that our DC-DC converter has an integrated MPPT solar controller as well.
by tuxonpup
Sun Jun 29, 2025 1:21 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

Sailing classes will be good for you. Just remember a J24 is a PURE sailboat and your Mac is a compromise boat that will never sail that well. This time of year seems like the worst time to be boating in Arizona. We are seriously exploring relocating to AZ, but I have no expectations of boating thi...
by tuxonpup
Sat Jun 28, 2025 1:19 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

Since our panels are going on the bimini, they are mono flex panels that weigh 4.6# each. We're sewing eight velcro straps into the bimini aligned with the corner mounting holes. Looks like I only have one weekend off over the next eight weeks of shows, so we decided instead of going back to our boa...
by tuxonpup
Thu Jun 26, 2025 8:34 am
Forum: Trip Logs
Topic: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025
Replies: 286
Views: 120035

Re: A New Journey Begins for OverEasy - 2023/2025

There were multiple “Mommies & Babies” out on both days. It was really nice to see them swimming and playing. We took some videos but can’t seem to attach them to the forum… (Anybody know how to do that?) I don't think the forum will host video, that would eat a lot of server space, I just uplo...
by tuxonpup
Thu Jun 26, 2025 8:18 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

It is interesting how some solar panels will drop 90% of their output if just a small section is blocked from the sun (like your boom). It's wise to clean them as I'm sure dust and bird poo reduces their output. My solar panel is mounted off the back of the boat over the motor. The :macm: mast crut...
by tuxonpup
Sat Jun 21, 2025 5:23 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip
Replies: 34
Views: 3859

Re: Our 26X boat tour on the last day of our Powell trip

It’s like the Millenium Falcon but the Kessel Run takes more like 500 parsecs in the Guppy. We’re pretty propane paranoid, not only is the tank kept in the cockpit, but when we run the heater we keep it up there as well and use a hood between it and the companion way to direct the heat into the cabi...
by tuxonpup
Sat Jun 21, 2025 10:03 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Day 1 on Lake Powell ends with a HABOOB!
Replies: 16
Views: 1485

Re: Day 1 on Lake Powell ends with a HABOOB!

Thanks for posting the video. Must be hot as blazes this time of year. It was pretty comfortable that first week in June on Powell, when we got back to Tucson it was an absolute furnace compared to when we left. The nights were nice and cool sleeping on the water while the bimini and sunhats were m...