Head door
- EZ
- Engineer
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 4:54 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: 2004 26M "Stray Monkey", with Etec 50, SF Bay, CA
Head door
My 2004 26m has the solid one piece head door that doesn't open completely bc it hits the seats on the port side. I have thought about upgrading to the two piece door on the current model. Has anyone out there done this?
- robbarnes1965
- Captain
- Posts: 563
- Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:58 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: (BYC)Montreal, Qc Macgregor 26m-2007 "Miss Coco" - after my daughter, 50hp Honda
Re: Head door
I have the two piece factory on on my 2007M. It's not a dramatic improvement. If you are bigger than a hobbit, replace it with a curtain instead unless you want to enroll in yoga to put your pants back on if you are close to 6ft. I keep meaning to do it but I have not yet. Our rule is just to have every one out of the cabin if someone goes below and only my 6 year old closes the door.EZ wrote:My 2004 26m has the solid one piece head door that doesn't open completely bc it hits the seats on the port side. I have thought about upgrading to the two piece door on the current model. Has anyone out there done this?
- Jim Bunnell
- First Officer
- Posts: 278
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:13 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Southfield, MI; Tohatsu TLDI 50, '03 26M hull # MACM 0019 C303
Re: Head door
Here's what I did on my 03. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=605 Not a perfect solution - is there one? - but we found it a significant gain. You could even experiment with a sheet of cardboard and some tape to see if you like it.
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raycarlson
- Captain
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:42 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: tucson,az
- Bobglas
- First Officer
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 1:00 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Jefferson, NY
Re: Head door
I ditched the factory door, bought some elastic and cloth to stretch all the way to the port side. When not being used it fits back on a hook by the stbd aft wall of the head space. Not claustrophobic, much more room and a simple fix. Installing a Natures Head next spring ( had a 5gal PP) that won't fit on the shelf (unless you're a gnome) the front sits right on the original door line,jamb, spot but w/ the curtain you still have plenty of room. Thinking the shelf space would make a nice wet locker.

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Kittiwake
- First Officer
- Posts: 255
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:34 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: BC, Canada
Re: Head door
I did essentially the same thing - but used a light curtain hung from a removable thin 'curtain rail' suspended port-to-starboard from 2 suction-cup-hooks on the ceiling. The effect is to turn the V-berth area + Head into a separate room. It is especially appropriate when taking friends for a day trip.Bobglas wrote:I ditched the factory door, bought some elastic and cloth to stretch all the way to the port side. .....
I'm sure Roger has experimented with all the alternatives to the stock heavy door on the Head ... and just offers it as an easily-replaceable device. I like reducing the boat's clutter and weight ... albeit at the expense of more clutter in our basement.
Kittiwake
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iredrider1177
- Engineer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:38 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: newcomerstown, ohio SOL KYLANNAH 06'M 06'yam. hi thrust 60 h.p.
Re: Head door
i made a curtain with a bungee and a hook on each end, attached it to the panel on the bow side, then attached a ss eyelet to each the othe panel and the inner liner opposite the bow side panel, my curtain doubles as a head curtain and a v berth curtain, took the bulky rattling door off and stored it in my shop.
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boaterjen
- Deckhand
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 7:36 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Channel Islands Harbor, NW of L.A.
Re: Head door
Hmmmm.... I hadn't thought about the head door, but you're right. I'm thinking a curtain would be fine,and it'd save weight.iredrider1177 wrote:i made a curtain with a bungee and a hook on each end, attached it to the panel on the bow side, then attached a ss eyelet to each the othe panel and the inner liner opposite the bow side panel, my curtain doubles as a head curtain and a v berth curtain, took the bulky rattling door off and stored it in my shop.
The door is installed... I may just leave it. But if I ever take an interest, a curtain could do nicer, easier, lighter.
Mayhap the door was thought to be more luxurious?
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iredrider1177
- Engineer
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:38 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: newcomerstown, ohio SOL KYLANNAH 06'M 06'yam. hi thrust 60 h.p.
Re: Head door
luxury, no. but a fine compromise yes. when i have my daughters with me its the most liked and used mod on the boat. well by them :)
- kasmith21
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:41 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada, 04 26M
Re: Head door
I used the curtain idea as well and I have to agree it has worked out well...especially when it doubles as a v-berth privacy curtain.
- EZ
- Engineer
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 4:54 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: 2004 26M "Stray Monkey", with Etec 50, SF Bay, CA
Re: Head door
Thanks to everyone for your responses. I am trying to decide between Jim's folding double door concept or just a curtain for the entire v-berth and head compartment.
- KayakDan
- Captain
- Posts: 507
- Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:10 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Apple Valley,Ohio, ........... 2006 26M "Spice" Honda 50
Re: Head door
Since we never use the head door,I was planning on removing it to lighten the boat. After some consultation with the first mate,wedecided to modify it. I moved the hinges so the door would open outward,towards the port side. I cut the bottom of the outer section of the door,so it will pass across the setee cushion. We now have folding privacy wall for the forward berth and head.
Actually ,it;s now the master bedroom and "en suite"
Have to think big if wer'e gonna live there for the next four months!
Actually ,it;s now the master bedroom and "en suite"
Have to think big if wer'e gonna live there for the next four months!
- mdeane
- Engineer
- Posts: 136
- Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 5:40 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Atlanta, GA
Re: Head door
EZ wrote:Thanks to everyone for your responses. I am trying to decide between Jim's folding double door concept or just a curtain for the entire v-berth and head compartment.
We went the curtain route.
Marc

- Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 8299
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Head door
The door looks good at the boat show. Totally useless unless you are a midget.
Do a curtain. Lots of ways to configure it. We have one on the v-berth and one aft of the head. Limited modesty on a boat.
--Russ
Do a curtain. Lots of ways to configure it. We have one on the v-berth and one aft of the head. Limited modesty on a boat.
--Russ
- Phil M
- Captain
- Posts: 807
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:29 am
- Sailboat: Other
- Location: 44' Jeanneau, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Re: Head door
I removed the door and installed a curtain as well. I never use it, but my guests seem to like it. It adds privacy to the fore cabin.
