Newbie.

[Scribe]

I am considering buying my first boat and have been looking at a 1994 MacGregor.

I have watched this forum for a while for any information which I thought would be helpful and there was a posting regarding water in the hull a few days ago and it has now disappeared.

Can anyone tell me how I can contact the author?

[Catigale]

!	Catigale:
	Post was removed for violation of forum rules. No further information available at this time

The Classified section has listings for boats available for sale FYI.

You can find lots of discussion on leaks and fixing them on the Main Board, regardless of which boat you are looking for.

[FinallySailing]

Welcome to the forum, Scribe and good luck with your search for a 26S ! This is a fabulous boat, just as this site is a great community of MacGregor Sailors from all over the world. Tell us where you are based and what specific questions you have and I am sure people will point you in the right directions and try to answer any questions you might have.

[Calin]

Newbie, recently on this forum someone wanted to give away a boat for free and another post was selling one relatively cheap. Will try to find the links but if someone has the link please help.

[dlandersson]

FYI: the newest MAC owner has to buy the pizza.

I am considering buying my first boat and have been looking at a 1994 MacGregor.

I have watched this forum for a while for any information which I thought would be helpful and there was a posting regarding water in the hull a few days ago and it has now disappeared.

Can anyone tell me how I can contact the author?

[Scribe]

All the replies are appreciated but I had a look at the boat I am thinking of buying and the poster who I was trying to contact appears to have had a very valid question.

I lifted the carpet to inspect what was beneath it and if I am correct, what he was referring to was an opening about 6" or 8" in diameter, covered by a unattached black disc in front of what I think sailors call the 'Head' (I sure learn fast ) and I asked this owner where water that entered there, ended up and he didn't know either.

I live in a very cold part of Canada and would not buy a boat that I could not remove all water before winter sets in because freezing water can do all sorts of funny things to what it is contained in.

I have therefore given up the idea of buying a MacGregor, but will keep an eye on this forum just in case this question is ever answered.

[Hamin' X]

Right, stay tuned.

~Rich

[vizwhiz]

Scribe,
OH NO! You lifted up that little black disc???


Just kidding... That white cover plate underneath it (with a dozen screws in it) is an inspection cover plate. You open it up only to inspect the inside of the ballast tank, and that one end of the swing-keel pivot bolt (the bolt that holds the keel in place). There is a second one under the galley to access the other side. You don't put water in there, and you almost never open them up. (I was asking about this recently also.)

If you look at the floor, the little black disc is just sitting in a hole in the floor, which is also known as the liner, because it is not actually part of the hull structure, it's just a...well...a liner... The ballast tank however, with the white inspection cover plates, IS a part of the hull structure. All of the floor, the seats, the galley, etc., is part of the liner that sits ABOVE the hull and ballast tank, which makes the bilge area (the space beneath the floor).

So if you spray water in the cabin, and it makes its way through the storage area holes, through the hole where the little black disc is, and/or other holes in the liner, it will end up ON TOP of the hull and ballast tank, which is the bilge area in our boats. You will NEVER open those white covers while underway or while using your boat - they are strictly for "inspection" which will happen...almost never.

To put water in the ballast tank, you open the valve under the companionway ladder (that's where the back of the ballast tank ends) which opens up a hole in the bottom of the boat to allow water from the outside to fill up the ballast tank. You then close that valve to capture the water in the ballast tank. You also drain the water back out of the ballast tank when taking the boat out of the water using that same valve. Some people use the little vent plug that's in the same place to fill the ballast tank (via garden hose) with fresh water rather than salt water so that the ballast tank will stay fresher longer, especially if the boat is left in the water for extended periods.

HERE is a picture of the bottom side of the valve and the pieces is is made up of, just in case you're curious...

[Fxwg80hd]

So if you spray water in the cabin, and it makes its way through the storage area holes, through the hole where the little black disc is, and/or other holes in the liner, it will end up ON TOP of the hull and ballast tank, which is the bilge area in our boats. You will NEVER open those white covers while underway or while using your boat - they are strictly for "inspection" which will happen...almost never.

Getting water out of the bilge area is handled by a bilge pump. If you do not have a bilge pump, then you bail by hand.

[vizwhiz]

Hey - check out THIS POST. I stuck a little spec sheet in it for someone else, and the cut-away picture of the boat from the side might help you visualize what I described.