MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey

[NiceAft]

After seriously examining the photo of those spreaders, I don’t believe they were accidentally bent. Those spreaders are too perfect in being identically curved. They are twins. Someone intentionally bent them like that.

Now, that being said, I agree with everyone else about those spreaders need to be replaced. I also believe that photo needs to be forwarded th Todd at WY. I value his opinion in matters like this.

[Agi]

Hi everybody,

Thanks a lot for your support
I really appreciate it!

I can say for sure that the owner didn’t changed the spreader and that he was the first owner of this boat.
All this sounds to me very strange .

@NiceAft -> how is it possible to forward it to Mr Todd to get his opinion?

[kurz]

I too worry about sailing downwind without a backstay.

It makes no sense for me. You would never install a rig on a sailboat like ours are that you cannot sail downwind.

Never heard a rigg broke sailing downwind.

Also you can use spinakers aswell without a backstay!

[Russ]

I too worry about sailing downwind without a backstay.

It makes no sense for me. You would never install a rig on a sailboat like ours are that you cannot sail downwind.

Never heard a rigg broke sailing downwind.

Also you can use spinakers aswell without a backstay!

I sail all the time downwind. One time was in very heavy winds and the boat almost got up on plane. No issues with the rigging.

This is a proven rig. It just feels wrong to put that much pressure on the side stays.

[NiceAft]

Hi everybody,

Thanks a lot for your support
I really appreciate it!

I can say for sure that the owner didn’t changed the spreader and that he was the first owner of this boat.
All this sounds to me very strange .

@NiceAft -> how is it possible to forward it to Mr Todd to get his opinion?

Upon rereading my post, I see errors. It should have read Todd at BWY (Blue Water Yachts). Here is the email address: [email protected]

[Agi]

Thanks again for all your answers!!!

Something else that I would like to ask you.
Do anyone has experience with this issue?
The Edge Banding material of the windows and table is getting of.

The width of the window frames is ~10mm and of the table 14mm. I can find new U-Shape Edge Banding in the market in 14mm, but not in 10mm.
They are only available in 9mm or in 12mm.

I am thinking to remove the window frames...maybe it looks even better , or to remove them and to make new ones from plexiglass...
Does anyone has experience with this issue?

What would you recommend?

Thx a lot

[Jimmyt]

Those spreaders are too symmetrical to be an accident. They are either an early run, or a dealer item. The 2003 manual shows them straight; so by the time the boat was in production, it had straight spreaders.

I’m curious about the geometry of your setup. Do the shrouds make a straight line from the top attachment, through the spreader, to the chain plate? Or, is the spreader tip forward of a straight line between the upper attachment point and the chain plate? Also, measuring from the center of the shrouds, what is the distance between shrouds at the spreader tips? Mine measures 79 inches.

[Jimmyt]

Apologize for the poor shot, but it gives an idea of spreaders that look dramatically different than your picture.

[Agi]

Sending you some further pictures:
Tomorrow I will take even some from the side.

[Jimmyt]

I don’t like to be all gloom and doom, but I agree with others. Don’t sail that boat until you’ve thoroughly investigated that spreader configuration - unless your boat has a back stay.

[Jimmyt]

Thanks again for all your answers!!!

Something else that I would like to ask you.
Do anyone has experience with this issue?
The Edge Banding material of the windows and table is getting of.

The width of the window frames is ~10mm and of the table

I don’t have window frames in my boat, but my stock table used a brown T moulding edge that has a barbed blade that fits into a groove around the perimeter.

If you can’t find the exact width, you may have to use a router with a flush trim bit to trim it up.

I took a Quick Look at amazon, but they don’t stock really small widths. You may be able to find it thinner elsewhere, but this is the type of trim you likely need.



I went a different route.

[Agi]

Thank you @Jummyt for the infomation. Your interior looks really nice!

I am sending even some other pictures of the spreader. I am not an expert or a sailer but there is a force holding the main sail backwards...
I dont want to cross the atlantic or go with strong winds on the water...You think that I should investigate it further?

[Jimmyt]

I’d send your pictures to BWYachts and ask them if they know anything about those spreaders.

https://bwyachts.com/

I’d have to have a lot of measurements, and see it in person before I could say it’s fine. It does have a little sweep aft, so it may be ok. I can’t tell you it’s good with the info I have - sorry.

If the previous owner regularly sailed her downwind in a heavy breeze, that might help ease your mind. If it were mine, I’d want to know why those spreaders are different, and if there was a reason to feel they’re ok.

Full disclosure: I’m pretty cautious.

[Russ]

I would NOT sail with those spreaders as they are now. I'm not a mechanical engineer, however, the are meant to be raked aft for a reason. I assume to transfer the load.

My guess is a former owner bent them either deliberately or accidentally for trailering.

Agi, you should email Todd at BWY Yachts that photo. They have been Macgregor dealers and have a close relationship with the factory and can best answer this.

his email is Todd (at) BWyachts.com

Ask him what he thinks.

[NiceAft]

Agi,

You now have three experienced forum members telling you to contact BWY. I hope you follow through.


Your spreaders obviously are are angled aft, but the area circled really bothers me. That curve just does not seem correct.

Any more discussion on this topic is just that, discussion. Contact BWY and let us know what you have learned.