No mast, I've gone solar...(With gas engine backup)

[SolarSailor6]

I post this at great risk of criticism from true sailors on this forum.
I was looking for a "leisure cruising craft" for an inland river in a deep valley with little or no wind. (Kentucky River)
It had to have an efficient hull design, decent interior space and shallow draft for shoals and bank landings.
Of course the Macgregor X was it.


Mods:

• removed and stored the mast and rigging.
  replaced the rear rudders with motor mounts for two 0.8 hp electric motors with 10X4" props.
  mounted a 9.9 hp long shaft high torqe outboard (Removing the 50 hp outboard)
  mounted 1,200 watts of solar panels over the cockpit using 1.5" IPS aluminum pipe and stringers with "Speed Rail" fittings.
  Installed 4 200 amp hour golf cart batteries in the rear berth in battery boxes, strapped to the floor.
  Batteries charged with dual 40 Amp MPPT Charge Controllers.

Performance

• Speed is 3.1 mph on solar, 6.4 mph on gas. (I am not in a hurry)
  Range: Indefinite on solar as long as the sun is shining (20 miles/day, 7 hours underway)
  Range: 50 miles per day on gas (10 hours underway)
  Plenty of power for cabin items (Laptop, radios, lights, fans, fridge, GPS, Depth Finder, 12v pumps

Basic interior,

• 3 12 volt outlets,
  4 USB outlets
  15 gallon water storage no running water (Yet)
  40 quart compressor 12 v fridge.
  Butane stove
  Food/water/drinks for a week
  Sleeping for 2, Fore Berth, port aft berth.

Total investment, about $7,500 for core systems. $3000.00 for hull and trailer, $1500 for outboard, $3000 for solar array, batteries, wiring, charge controllers and motors. another grand for shiny bits and cabin amenities.


Hope to see you on the Inland waters of the US! (Ohio river system)

Ken Cooke
Lexington, KY

[dlandersson]

Nice. The X seems to make a very nice ICW cruiser.

[ris]

Very nice! We are in Lake Huron heading south to Lake Erie. Near Cleveland we will trailer our 26X trawler to Chester/East Liverpool on the Ohio River and head south to Lake Barkley/Kentucky. We are in port Austin on the 26 of August. Should be in Ohio River by September 7-15 timeframe. Always enjoy meeting Mac Owners.

[bobflshmn]

I think you made a great setup for your needs. Hard to beat the space in a Mac for overnighting.

[Duquette5]

Really digging your setup. Do you think adding a wind turbine would help with charging or is it a battery capacity restriction? Hows the headroom in the cabin of an X? In my 19 I have to sit and I still feel like a giant. My rack in the Navy felt luxurious compared to the 19!

[Tomfoolery]

That's some clean interior in your . I'm ashamed.

[Jimmyt]

Great job! I dig it! Why would you use sails where there's no wind anyway?

[bobbob]

I love this idea You could even isinglass in around the perimeter for a great weather enclosure. Quick questions:

1) Is it still trailerable?
2) Did you need to remove the 50HP to fit the new equipment?

Cheers

[Bobsquatch]

You have made a terrible mistake.


If you are looking for criticism from "true sailors" that have never been on your boat, this is not where you will find it. (Those are Macgregor bashers)
The Macgregor community knows what this boat is. It's a great compromise that can do many things. You have simply found another.
Great job, by the way, she looks wonderful. You are wise enough to store the unneeded components in case your circumstances change so you are 100% covered.
Have you considered cleaning and sterilizing your ballast tank for fresh water storage? The boat would be more stable and if you were ever to need the extra 3-4 inches of draft, it's my understanding you have the time and the battery capacity to handle that.
Congratulations on a job well done.

[Grayrider61]

Hi
Any chance you might want to sell all your sailing components. My previous owner converted the 26x to a trawler and all that is left is the deck hardware. I’m looking for used.
Thanks

[dlandersson]

Very nice

"Of course the Macgregor X was it."

[Russ]

Hi
Any chance you might want to sell all your sailing components. My previous owner converted the 26x to a trawler and all that is left is the deck hardware. I’m looking for used.
Thanks

You may try the contact button.

[Inquisitor]

I don't think the OP visits our forum any more. I don't see any replies to the questions posted. Is there any way to re-claim the pictures that were once on his post? I'd be interested in more details. Mainly... what electric motors he's using and where he put all these panels. I have only (2) 100 watt panels and that'll be easy to mount, but I have no idea where I could put ten more.

[kmclemore]

Is there any way to re-claim the pictures that were once on his post?

Nope. I checked his code - he used a no longer accessible posting location. Sorry.

[Inquisitor]

Is there any way to re-claim the pictures that were once on his post?

Nope. I checked his code - he used a no longer accessible posting location. Sorry.

Thank you for looking.