MacGregor designed the Cabin Companionway Panel to store under the rear swing seat

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

Maybe this is just a “Newbie” thing but Rodger MacGregor was a brilliant boat designer/builder!

Did anyone know that he designed the Cabin Companionway Panel to fit under the rear swing seat!!!

Genius!



This is absolutely brilliant and isn’t in the literature or brochures but is really really beneficial vs. having it stowed in the cabin!

It acts as an aft bulkhead for the cockpit to help slow down any following seas waves from washing in as well as acting as a container wall to help keep stuff (like kids and pets) from wandering off the aft end!

It has a slight loose fit that allows for fuel lines to fit around the sides.

Not saying it’s perfect, but this untold “secret” feature it a brilliant example of Rodger’s foresight in his design of the Mac26X!!!

Wonder if this also applies to the Mac26M?

Hope this helps!

Onward....

[kmclemore]

Yes, this is a known design feature, but I'm glad you 'discovered' it!

[Tomfoolery]

Yes, this is a known design feature, but I'm glad you 'discovered' it!

Well, I didn’t know that. Or maybe I did but just forgot. But thanks OP for the info/reminder (as applicable).

[svscott]

Wait... what! I'm heading out to investigate this!

That fiberglass panel is humongous compared to the 26D's plexiglass panel and the isn't a good place to store it. I only sailed the X a couple times last season and that panel was near impossible to secure and was super loud when it slid around down below when we healed over...especially with no aft berth cushions installed due to a leaky deck over that area.

[Starscream]

Just make sure the ridged part is facing the motor and the flat part is facing the cockpit. Think of it like a car spoiler so you'll remember.

It needs to be angled a bit, and it's easy to forget it's there when lifting the seat to refuel or something, and once the seat goes up there's nothing but the motor between it and a "splash".

[kmclemore]

Placing the companionway cover vertically under the helm seat not only provides a handy storage area, but it also quiets the motor when running, too.

[svscott]

I tried to test fit the panel and couldn't get it to fit. It needs to angle a bit to clear the seat coming down, otherwise it's too tall. I tried leaning the panel with the bottom towards the helm pedestal but the seat interferes with the ribs in the panel. Leaning it with the bottom towards the stern and like the motor cables and steering rack will be in the way but 9 don't have the rack assembled at the moment.
I tried the panel both ways... one side has vertical ribs and the other horizontal but neither one fit.

[Starscream]

I tried to test fit the panel and couldn't get it to fit. It needs to angle a bit to clear the seat coming down, otherwise it's too tall. I tried leaning the panel with the bottom towards the helm pedestal but the seat interferes with the ribs in the panel. Leaning it with the bottom towards the stern and like the motor cables and steering rack will be in the way but 9 don't have the rack assembled at the moment.
I tried the panel both ways... one side has vertical ribs and the other horizontal but neither one fit.

Here's photo evidence

It's easier to do the opposite way of what I have in the photo. That way takes more of a slant to get it to fit.



Not an angle I usually photograph so I had to really search for this one...about three or four years ago!

[svscott]

That's a cool picture and shows exactly how it works. That's how I tried it the first time but it was binding up... I will try again.
My seat has a LED stern light mounted in the middle of the seat back and the wire loom runs in there.

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

Great perspective photo Starscream!

We like what the panel does and how it stores while the boat is in use.
We had a challenge using the panel the first time finding which way fit best.
We didn’t like the way the panel needed to be fiddled with when closing the seat (due to our seat stern light socket & wiring run.
Same when opening the seat to access the motor.
We will be add a set of small guide clips to help keep the panel in position with or without the swing seat in place.
Detail & Photos to follow......

[Tomfoolery]

It needs to be angled a bit, and it's easy to forget it's there when lifting the seat to refuel or something, and once the seat goes up there's nothing but the motor between it and a "splash".

But the big question would then be, does it float?

[Starscream]

But the big question would then be, does it float?

Hahaha just put a 90HP on and it's big enough that you'll never have to find out.

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

Great perspective photo Starscream!

We like what the panel does and how it stores while the boat is in use.
We had a challenge using the panel the first time finding which way fit best.
We didn’t like the way the panel needed to be fiddled with when closing the seat (due to our seat stern light socket & wiring run.
Same when opening the seat to access the motor.
We will be add a set of small guide clips to help keep the panel in position with or without the swing seat in place.
Detail & Photos to follow......


BTW:
Starscream, How do you like the solar vent fan on your forward hatch?
Has it been working for you?

The great POs of provided one when we purchased Over Easy.
We have been considering locations to install it.
The fwd hatch is one of those locations.
The other potential locations are on the back area of the Companionway deck, the fwd area of the Companionway deck and over the head.


Given you’ve had a chance to live with your vent we would appreciate your experience and suggestions .
Thanks!

[Starscream]

BTW:
Starscream, How do you like the solar vent fan on your forward hatch?
Has it been working for you?

In combination with the installation of a hatch adjuster so that the hatch can't flop fully open and crush the fan, it's a great location. For those in the V-berth it's nice to have a fan that can change directions with a switch, so that you have the option of pulling in a jet of cool air on a hot night or expelling air on a cold night so that there's no noticeable breeze to speak of.

The bigger problem is the Nicro fan itself (now Marinco). They're just total crap IMO. I'm on the third one in 10 years. The Marinco is better than the original Nicro design, bit still after a couple of years the motor gets louder and louder, and it's a sealed unit so no fixing it. Maybe there's a better solar fan out there, but I don't know what it is.

Anyway, if I had to do it again, it would go in the hatch again.

[OverEasy]

Thank you Starscream!