Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

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OverEasy
Admiral
Posts: 2873
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: NH & SC

Re: Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

Post by OverEasy »

Hi Kurz!

Good point!
I forgot the Med likes to stern tie to the fixed pier and a snag up for the bow line.

Even so that engine mounted platform would still be a bit low as it’s at the water line for all intents and purposes.

In that case it’s a bit more of a challenge for sure.
I’ve seen several ‘gang planks’ ( believe there is a better word to describe it) but most are long cumbersome affairs.
One kinda needs to know the height difference between the stern deck, or the back rest of the stern seat, up to the pier at low tide and high tide as well as the physical lateral distances (max & min) between the stern deck, or back of stern seat and the pier.
Between the two sets of dimensions one could get an idea of how steep and how long a gang plank one is going to need.

I’ve seen rigid ones that would be difficult to store aboard a Mac.
But maybe an extendable one sorta like a decked extension ladder with maybe a pair of short vertical bolt on side panels to stiffen it???
Yeah I know that’s a bit of a reach but I’ve used doubled up ladders as scaffolding spanning 10 or so feet (about 3 meters) for two adults to use safely. One could possibly design an underslung cable tension truss to help carry the loadings of personnel crossing over.
These are just discussion ideas not definitive solutions.
It’s an interesting problem that some enterprising person solved eons ago… :D :D … there is nothing new under the sun as the phrase goes.

I would be interested in seeing how it’s currently addressed for a boat like a Mac.
If you find something please share it with the forum.

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)

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Agi
Chief Steward
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:44 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Athens

Re: Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

Post by Agi »

Hi everybody,

Thank you again for all your anwers and beautiful ideas :)

@kmvlemore -> I see the MacGregor is really famous even onder musicians :)

@kurz -> This is an amazing idea with the ladder in order to have easy access to the cockpit. thx for sharing!!!

@OverEasy -> Thats a really good point that such a platform could be a problem when the sea is rough
-< I think the easiest solution to step from the water into the boat is the 4 step boat ladder that @dlandersson recommended :)
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dustoff
Engineer
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:25 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Stevensville, MD

Re: Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

Post by dustoff »

The swim platform I made and posted to the mods section this spring has worked really well for me this summer. It doesn't interfere with lowering or raising the rudders when it is deployed down (as long as I have the wheel centered). The four-step ladder is deep enough to easily get out of the water. It also doesn't interfere at all with the outboard turning space (with the platform either up or down), and I can motor with the platform lowered (as long as the rudders are all the way up or all the way down). It provides enough space to stand and use my stern freshwater sprayer to do rinses getting out of saltwater. It's been weight tested extensively up to 300 lbs, and uses the original ladder as the frame.

v/r
:macm:
Agi
Chief Steward
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:44 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Athens

Re: Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

Post by Agi »

Hi everybody,
I even saw this here :).
Does anyone know where I can find some details, how this is buid?

https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=1776

Thx in advance
OverEasy
Admiral
Posts: 2873
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: NH & SC

Re: Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

Post by OverEasy »

Hi Agi!

While the Mod you referenced used welded on bracket tabs to mount a seat one could just as easily use good clamp on tube brackets such as those available from several suppliers like Sea Dog Marine
https://sea-dog.com/groups/503-rail-mount-bracket-kits
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If one were to cut ‘U’ slots at the tubes one could get the maximum support for the seat and mount into the clamp brackets with screws.

There are multiple ways to go about doing this and this is but one of many options.

Another approach could be using paired clamping tube fittings like those available from Taco.

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Basically one would get a two piece clamping tube fitting to fit your railing to make a T arrangement with short lengths of stainless steel tubing. Sorta like one would make for a Bimini hinge:
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That way one can easily adapt to the various angles involved.

If you got tube-to-tube fittings then you could place a cross bar on the diagonal to carry most of the seat load. Then place another set from the middle of the diagonal tube you just added back to the corner down tube to support the seat at the back corner. This would eliminate any welding or cutting of your existing railings.]

You get the idea….

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
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Agi
Chief Steward
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2025 10:44 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Athens

Re: Fuel tank & Launchpad for MacGregor 26M in Europe?

Post by Agi »

Hi "OverEasy" thank you so much for your so detailed information!!!
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