Thank you for explaining to me what a circled spreader is.
But why should it be straight? I saw on pictures that it is even circled on others MacGregors 26M...
@dlandersson -> how does such a ceremony look like
Thank you for explaining to me what a circled spreader is.
But why should it be straight? I saw on pictures that it is even circled on others MacGregors 26M...
@dlandersson -> how does such a ceremony look like
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 2:52 pm
by 45Plus+
Russ wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:02 am
I have started using D pins this year. It makes removing the spreaders fast.
That is a great idea. I remove my M's spreaders each Fall so they don't interfere with the winter tarp. I have reused the lock nuts a couple of times and was planning on getting a bunch of them as replacements since you shouldn't really use lock nuts more than once (or twice ). The D pin makes much more sense.
@Api: you achieved a really nice deck with your clean up - it is inspiration for me next year when the tarp comes off. Also, are both your spreaders bent? I could not really tell from the photos but something is wonky with the starboard spreader.
Thank you for explaining to me what a circled spreader is.
But why should it be straight? I saw on pictures that it is even circled on others MacGregors 26M...
@dlandersson -> how does such a ceremony look like
Yours looks like it was bent up by resting the spreader on the lifelines while fastened down for trailering, rather than tilting them under the lifelines for transport.
Yours:
Stock:
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 1:43 pm
by Agi
Hey everybody,
Thanks again for all the anwers.
@dlandersson -> hahahahah love it!!!
@45Plus+ -> I am very happy to hear that I could inspire you! The deck cleaner from Star Brite is really great! I can 100% recommend it!!!
With the "Hull cleaner" I am not that satisfied as the "Deck cleaner"
@Tuxonpup -> I am sending you a picture from now! I raised the mast! Is everything okay? The owner didnt changed something everything is as he had
bought in 2008
Today I even started removing the oxidation of the Gelcoat. I bought for it the Maxshine M8S V2 machine and used for the "Oxidation Remover" from Meguars and "3M Polish it Medium". My first impression is that the product of 3M is better, but it is just my first impression and my feeling. (sending you some pictures unfortunately I cant upload a video.
There is still a lot of work to do
To be continued....
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:18 pm
by tuxonpup
Agi wrote: ↑Sat Nov 01, 2025 1:43 pm
@Tuxonpup -> I am sending you a picture from now! I raised the mast! Is everything okay? The owner didnt changed something everything is as he had
bought in 2008
I've never seen a 26M with flat spreaders like that before, definitely doesn't look like an accident, all the ones I've seen had swept back spreaders like this:
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:51 pm
by Agi
Thx for letting me know.
The boat was originally like this.
No modification was done.
Very strange....
Can it has a negative effect? And if yes in what?
And one question regarding this plastic tube from the engine. The mechanic told me that I should fill the hole with Sikaflex, in order to avoid that what will come in through the cables.
Do you have another idea what I could do? I removed the screws but I could pull it out to see if I could connect it in a proper way ..
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2025 6:56 pm
by tuxonpup
Agi wrote: ↑Sat Nov 01, 2025 5:51 pm
Thx for letting me know.
The boat was originally like this.
No modification was done.
Very strange....
Can it has a negative effect? And if yes in what?
And one question regarding this plastic tube from the engine. The mechanic told me that I should fill the hole with Sikaflex, in order to avoid that what will come in through the cables.
Do you have another idea what I could do? I removed the screws but I could pull it out to see if I could connect it in a proper way ..
Well, with no backstay on the rotating mast and no back sweep on the spreaders, I would avoid putting up just a foresail without the main. There’s not really anything to counter the pull on the forestay besides the main and topping lift.
Those spreaders are bent and not serving their purpose. I would not place a load on the mast with those spreaders as they currently are. You should replace them.
They were probably bent while on the trailer.
They are made of aluminum tubing which can be easily sourced at local hardware stores.
The maxshine m8s v2 machine is great for applying wax/polymer and sealer. It will rub the product into the surface pores. I use a polymer that lasts longer than wax and is easier to apply and buff off with a microfiber cloth.
I found using a thick wool pad on an orbital polisher and compound works best to remove oxidation for me.
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 2:23 am
by Agi
@ Russ -> thx for the ideas! what products do you use for removing the oxidation? and what polymer ? what are your steps
Agi wrote: ↑Sat Nov 01, 2025 1:43 pm
@Tuxonpup -> I am sending you a picture from now! I raised the mast! Is everything okay? The owner didnt changed something everything is as he had
bought in 2008
I'm curious as a 1 year X owner, what was the advantage of the M having the rotating mast? (X does not) . Only thing I could see for the advantage would be a downhaul situation in big wind where the sail slides would line up nicely on the track when you let the main out and dropped the sail. Is there something else?
Also the M has no rear stay??? That kinda freaks me out! So that would make all forward forces on the Mast (and the boat being able to move forward in the water) be totally reliant on the Spreaders being swept back and mounted to the boat back farther than the X possibly to provide support as Tuxon-pup points out right?
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 6:49 am
by tuxonpup
FittsFly wrote: ↑Tue Nov 04, 2025 5:58 am
I'm curious as a 1 year X owner, what was the advantage of the M having the rotating mast? (X does not) . Only thing I could see for the advantage would be a downhaul situation in big wind where the sail slides would line up nicely on the track when you let the main out and dropped the sail. Is there something else?
Also the M has no rear stay??? That kinda freaks me out! So that would make all forward forces on the Mast (and the boat being able to move forward in the water) be totally reliant on the Spreaders being swept back and mounted to the boat back farther than the X possibly to provide support as Tuxon-pup points out right?
The rotating mast and replacing the backstay with swept spreaders to chainplates further aft is a standard rig for catamarans, later B&R rigged Hunter monohulls, etc. The rotating mast will give you a cleaner mainsail shape and you can use a flat top sail with a larger roach due to no backstay interference, but you can't hike the boom out as far running downwind due to the swept spreader supports.That's my concern with these spreaders, with them being at 90 degrees it looks like you could run with the boom all the way out and there would literally be nothing left holding the mast up against the direction of the wind.
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 8:24 am
by Russ
What he said ^ and all well said
In theory the rotating mast gives better performance. Our boats are far from performance sailboats
I too worry about sailing downwind without a backstay.
Re: MacGregor 26M Blog – A Beginner’s Journey
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2025 5:13 pm
by Dougiestyle
I have NEVER seen spreaders like yours on any Macgregor. I would call BWY, They will help with any and all questions.
). The D pin makes much more sense. 
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