MAC26S Anchor Roller Installation

[technicalman]

Hello,
Does anyone have any pics of anchor roller installation under the deck? I have a 1992 MAC26S. Purchased an anchor roller to install. I figured I'd slot the roller so that the tang that comes through the deck for the forestay would fit through the middle of the roller assy and the roller would be lined up with the bow. when i went below and removed the access panel, i found that i could only see the bolts for the forward pulpit but not any of the hardware or area where i wanted to drill through the deck. i found that there is a panel there which covers all of that. can i cut through that panel to get further forward below the deck? What would be the best way to install the anchor roller on this boat?

[sailor38]

I just installed a long bow roller for a 22# delta on my 26D. It's about 2' long with 2 rollers and a U at end. Three large bolts to mount. Looked at what you're thinking of but opted for easier and better solution for this anchor. I mounted it on one side of the head stay head. It butts to the head and is below the top hole in the head. I cut a small 1/2 circle notch out of the roller edge to allow use of the bottom hole in the head. There's no interference with the head and rode and no need to cut a slot in the roller. I marked the position of the outslde edge of the roller on the raised lip of the deck then ground that part flush with the deck for flush mounting of the roller with 3M 4200. The fiberglass lip is hollow below and that doesn't affect structural integrity. Reaching the bolts below deck is not easy and requires long arms! It's worth it though. Actually thinking about an anchor locker in that space forward of the interior FG lining too. Good luck.

[Madelon]

This is a worthy project and I've been going in circles with it. I have a Mac 26S (1994), these boats have the bow cruising light mouinted on deck, unlike the 26D that has it mounted on the pulpit. I find it hard to mount a bow roller without obstructing side vision of the cruising light, unless you remove the light and place it somewhere else. Asnybody been there? Cheers,
Albert s/v " Madelon" (Mac 26S).

[technicalman]

This is a worthy project and I've been going in circles with it. I have a Mac 26S (1994), these boats have the bow cruising light mouinted on deck, unlike the 26D that has it mounted on the pulpit. I find it hard to mount a bow roller without obstructing side vision of the cruising light, unless you remove the light and place it somewhere else. Asnybody been there? Cheers,
Albert s/v " Madelon" (Mac 26S).

My '92 MAC 26S has the bow cruising light on the pulpit as well.

[bwygirl]

www.cncphotoalbum.com/technical/anchorguide.htm - Cached
I found this link above and thought it may be a good reference for people reguarding anchor size. Sometimes bigger is not better or needed.

[Doug91mac26s]

I like this method! This is on my short list of mods I want to do. If you fasten the anchor roller properly, you can do away with the current tang that comes up through the deck, and connect the headstay directly to the anchor roller. Notice the piece of stainless steel that is welded to the underside of the anchor roller, with another piece that goes down over the tip of the bow and is thru bolted there, a much stronger connection. That slot where the factory tang comes through is a common water leak point, and there is plywood there, which could develop into a big problem with wood rot. This method will allow you to seal up that slot under the anchor roller, no gel coat work required.

In the top two pictures you can see where the head stay is connected to the side of the anchor roller. On another boat, the third picture, you can see where a bail was used, I like that method, the shank of the anchor goes right under and thru, and keeps the headstay right on center, though slightly over to one side as in the top two pic's is not a problem at all.







On my 91' 26S my red/green lights are mounted up on the bow pulpit too. If your boat has the light on the deck, you could consider the option shown in the third picture - that looks sharp!

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/d ... C02187.jpg

[technicalman]

I love all these installations. in fact, i've seen them before. My question is, is it ok to drill an inspection hole through the fiberglass? The area under the deck where the forestay tang sits, seems to be all glassed in. To install a anchor roller like in the pictures, you need to drill in that area through the deck. As things are, it's inaccessible through the v-birth. There is a panel there, with screws, but it doesn't go far enough forward. There is a mini bulkhead near the bow covering all that hardware.

[Sumner]

I love all these installations. in fact, i've seen them before. My question is, is it ok to drill an inspection hole through the fiberglass? The area under the deck where the forestay tang sits, seems to be all glassed in. To install a anchor roller like in the pictures, you need to drill in that area through the deck. As things are, it's inaccessible through the v-birth. There is a panel there, with screws, but it doesn't go far enough forward. There is a mini bulkhead near the bow covering all that hardware.

In the picture above you can see a piece of stained plywood on the 'mini bulkhead'. I cut a hole in it to gain access. There is a lot of foam in that area. Take it out to do the work and replace it when done. It is a long reach in there and you need a helper either above or inside to tighten the bolts.

Also I agree with Doug that....



...you need the support for the bow roller for up and down movement. Forces that can occur if you are on anchor with waves and you have the anchor rode in the roller. I spent time putting bends on the front of the roller brackets (bottom and front) to avoid chaff on the rodes while on anchor if I leave them in the rollers. If we are in the same spot for more than a day I'll also let the rode in or out a little so that it is riding on a different section of rode. If the weather gets really bad I'd tie off...



...to the chocks on the sides. If you don't have them I would for sure put chocks on the boat in addition to cleats behind them. Sooner or later you will use everything you have available in different conditions. Here is a link to situations with 2 anchors down....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... 10-13.html

and here is a link to making the rollers and adding the chocks to their sides.....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ng-16.html

Putting the rollers on was one of the best things we have done. My back loves them

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[vizwhiz]

True about the space in the front of the v-berth - no need to drill through the deck!

I cut a good-sized square hole like the one shown in Sumner's pictures, and I have a little board drying in the garage right now that will go over that spot and will look just like Sumner's... Someone else on this site put a standard "round" deck access port there also, so you can definitely gain access to that space in the front.

If you're handy, or have more work to do up front than you can reach in a "small" hole, you can make the hole bigger and the cover plate bigger - all up to you. (Truthfully, in that space, it's hard to get both arms up there to work anyway, you're pretty limited to one arm in the hole.) As you cut the hole, I would just be sure to leave the radius in the corners so what's left stays stiff (the bend adds structural rigidity).

Also, as Sumner mentioned, that area is full of styrofoam (a buzillion small pieces in my case) and is an important part of the flotation for the boat - I'd be sure to keep as much of it up there (or replace it) as possible!

My S is a 95 and the bow light is up there on the deck (which is why I cut the hole...)

[Doug91mac26s]

Here's what I did. Just install an access plate,easy peasy

[technicalman]

Here's what I did. Just install an access plate,easy peasy

That's simplicity at it's best. Very nice.

[technicalman]

Doug and Sumner,
Did you guys take out the ceiling liner above the vbirth? You seem to have a lot more room in there than i do on mine.

Thanks,
Randy

[Sumner]

Doug and Sumner,
Did you guys take out the ceiling liner above the vbirth? You seem to have a lot more room in there than i do on mine.

Thanks,
Randy

No it was just the camera angle in the other picture. So there is no confusion, the picture above was before I put the access in forward and it is stock looking there in the picture above.

Like Mike said you can only get one arm in there at a time,

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[Doug91mac26s]

No, mine has the drop down just like Sumner's does. You should have a black access panel like what you see in my pic where you gain access to the styrofoam in there.

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/d ... c26s/Mods/

[technicalman]

No, mine has the drop down just like Sumner's does. You should have a black access panel like what you see in my pic where you gain access to the styrofoam in there.

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/d ... c26s/Mods/

Yes, all that foam and foam dust came down on me when I removd the access panel. Thanks for all the info and pics on that blkd. Now I feel better about putting in an access panel.