Buying a 1989 26D

[Russ]

Hey Trailer Trash, I enjoyed reading this thread as I purchased a 26D last week which will go through many mods and restorations as well. I will keep following your progress. Hope your recovery is going well.

Welcome to the forum. We love to see pics of captains using their boats.

Where are you planning on sailing?

[OverEasy]

Hi TrailerTrash!
[/quote]
I managed to get the flu this week, so I'm feeling a bit like expecting the locust plague next week. But I still managed to get another layer of resin on the daggerboard and glassed up the holes I drilled.
[/quote]

Hope you’re feeling better soon!
We admire your resilience to continue with your project… just don’t over do it

Best Regards
Over Easy

[TrailerTrash]

Hi TrailerTrash!

Hope you’re feeling better soon!
We admire your resilience to continue with your project… just don’t over do it

Best Regards
Over Easy

I feel much better already. The flu was about a 72-hour affair, and I'm feeling human again.

I'm thinking of solar. I'd like to stick with panels that would fit on the pop top, or over the laz. I've done an energy audit, and I think a 150W panel would cover my needs, but I don't want to add a fixed panel.

Any input would be welcome.

[OverEasy]

Hi TrailerTrash!

Glad you are feeling better!
Even the 24 hour version isn’t fun, never mind the 72 hour or other more longer lasting versions….

There are a variety of solar panels avialable as well as kits. There isn’t an optimal solution except what an individual decides is best for them at the time.

I’m not gonna ever suggest I’m an expert but in my humble opinions….
Amorphous panels work great throughout a variety of different conditions including partial shade and cloudy days. They may have a lower watt density but the broader operability range and lower cost more than makes up for that!

Higher watt density panels are more susceptible to shadowing issues and are more persnickety to orientation aspects.

As we’re talking about MacGregor Sailboats here the balance is to have something that works, doesn’t require a 2nd mortgage, are compact, easy to use, durable and store readily.

I’ve been looking at a couple approaches and products and there a lot to choose from. Personally I kinda like the following three items from Harbor Freight. They generally tick most of my boxes…. I like the fold away nature of them and the budget prices.







Given the ‘accumulating’ nature of solar panels maximum efficiency yields are only a small portion of the overall value/use benefits.

We were considering the four separate panel version as it allows for us to arrange them in a variety of ways. We were considering an arch mount and a “Venetian” louvre so the individual panels could either manually or auto tilt to optimize orientation.

The nut of our issue is to prepare for extended travels on the ICW and other destinations. We are primarily motor cruisers with our Mac26X. Our local use in South Carolina is exploratory cruising the local rivers, bays and estuaries which aren’t necessarily conducive to sails and masts… so we just skip that and motor about. Similarly the ICW is primarily rivers and channels which can be a real challenge via sail power. Motoring with our Suzuki DF60AV has proven to work for us and our needs.

I mention all that because here in the SC we have pretty good tidal movements so we prefer to rent a slip at the marina with power. Tuning the engine tops up our batteries while we are out and about both locally or when further afield. When out on the ICW we have chosen to stay at marinas. Shore power charges them when in the slip (or when on the trailer at home either when both north &/or south. So that sorta negates the battery charging needs for us to a large extent.

As it get quite hit during our typical boating season down south we installed A/C for comfort and dehumidification which works great for our needs. When staying late season on the water up north we use a small space heater. The power draw has generally not been an issue with shore power.

We also have a small Honda gas generator that is capable of powering the A/C and or heater if desired if we plan on travels away from marinas.

We have a small”no flames “ policy on our boat so we utilize an induction cook too. This is one aspect where we will utilize an inverter off the batteries if away from a marina.

So our realistic practical power generation needs have evolved over time. Originally the solar power seemed like a great way to go and I invested a bit of effort in that direction. Actual use and adapting as we have has led us in a different direction.

Each persons needs are unique to their own situations and preferences.

Note: I use a small solar panel that plugs into the cigarette outlet of our spare car up north to keep the battery topped up when we aren’t there. It works great and does an excellent job! It cost just $25 at Harbor Freight. I would use something similar if I were to have to store Over Easy away from shore power.

If anything, I’d suggest that you keep your options open and look at how you actually use your boat before making any expensive decisions.

You boat, Your Rules!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Crusingpugetsound]

Hey Trailer Trash, I enjoyed reading this thread as I purchased a 26D last week which will go through many mods and restorations as well. I will keep following your progress. Hope your recovery is going well.

Welcome to the forum. We love to see pics of captains using their boats.

Where are you planning on sailing?

HI Russ, We will be sailing throughout Puget Sound. I live 5 minutes to a launch on Hood Canal, 30 minutes to ones in Port Orchard or Bremerton, and 1.5 hours to Port Townsend (where it's a 4-6 hour sail to Victoria, the Gulf Islands, and the San Juans). I'll be sure to post pics of trips and mods.

[Crusingpugetsound]

Hey Trailer Trash, I enjoyed reading this thread as I purchased a 26D last week which will go through many mods and restorations as well. I will keep following your progress. Hope your recovery is going well.

Hey... we are neighbors too. Congrats on the 26D purchase!

I managed to get the flu this week, so I'm feeling a bit like expecting the locust plague next week. But I still managed to get another layer of resin on the daggerboard and glassed up the holes I drilled.

Hey Trailer Trash, Sorry to hear your under the weather, hope you feel well soon. Where are you located?

[TrailerTrash]

Hey Trailer Trash, I enjoyed reading this thread as I purchased a 26D last week which will go through many mods and restorations as well. I will keep following your progress. Hope your recovery is going well.

Hey... we are neighbors too. Congrats on the 26D purchase!

I managed to get the flu this week, so I'm feeling a bit like expecting the locust plague next week. But I still managed to get another layer of resin on the daggerboard and glassed up the holes I drilled.

Hey Trailer Trash, Sorry to hear your under the weather, hope you feel well soon. Where are you located?

I'm in Monroe, and we should get together and sail. I should probably follow the doctor's orders and keep my activity moderate for another couple of months, but after that, I'm itching to get out on the water.

[Crusingpugetsound]

Hey... we are neighbors too. Congrats on the 26D purchase!

I managed to get the flu this week, so I'm feeling a bit like expecting the locust plague next week. But I still managed to get another layer of resin on the daggerboard and glassed up the holes I drilled.

Hey Trailer Trash, Sorry to hear your under the weather, hope you feel well soon. Where are you located?

I'm in Monroe, and we should get together and sail. I should probably follow the doctor's orders and keep my activity moderate for another couple of months, but after that, I'm itching to get out on the water.

That would be great. Perhaps September, I have so much to do to her before we get serious about sailing.

[TrailerTrash]

Hey Trailer Trash, Sorry to hear your under the weather, hope you feel well soon. Where are you located?

I'm in Monroe, and we should get together and sail. I should probably follow the doctor's orders and keep my activity moderate for another couple of months, but after that, I'm itching to get out on the water.

That would be great. Perhaps September, I have so much to do to her before we get serious about sailing.

Yeah...I'm not supposed to be doing a lot so a couple of months is good for me.

[TrailerTrash]

I found the first internal modification item for Trailer Trash.

A dedicated urinal to replace that little sink.

[OverEasy]

HI Russ, We will be sailing throughout Puget Sound. I live 5 minutes to a launch on Hood Canal, 30 minutes to ones in Port Orchard or Bremerton, and 1.5 hours to Port Townsend (where it's a 4-6 hour sail to Victoria, the Gulf Islands, and the San Juans). I'll be sure to post pics of trips and mods.

We’re envious of your cruising locale in the nicest possible way!
It is a terrific, varied, interesting and beautiful area!

Please post lots of pictures!

Best Regards,
Over Easy