December 30, 2021
Hi All!
Just a bit of a year end project status updateā¦.
Storage
In reviewing the very nice galley mod that Sheppie62 has started we saw a really nice idea on accessing the fwd galley bench using rectangular hatches. Sheppie62 has taken it beyond idea into reality! It looks great!
We will be looking at doing something similar but will try and stay with our removable bins like we did for our galley mod.
The space in the wedge below the top of the ballast transfer tube and port side hull is intriguing in that we might be able to use part of it for an intermediate grey water collection/transfer tank by making a custom one-off fiberglass tank to fit (just as a concept).
Transfer to the larger Grey water tank on the other side could be maybe via an air charge pressure transfer, diaphragm pump or gravity.
Then again Iām probably over thinking this and should just stick with a simple drain hose and gravity.
Still that wedge space has potentialā¦.
Sink/Fresh & Grey Water
Currently itās looking good to move the Coleman Thermonic cooler fwd on the fwd galley bench and then fit in a small rectangular sink that can tuck away when not needed. The supply and drain hoses would need to be pretty flexible to tuck into the gap space availableā¦ maybe a section of that high flex metallic type hand held shower line?
The sink drain would have a mesh strainer to keep debris/particulates out to avoid cloggingā¦.
We are going towards one-off conformal fiberglass grey water storage tanks in the wedge area between the starboard ballast transfer line and outer hull. This would have a dual empty capability. First would be a standard marina waste water suction system. That covers when we are using marinas but what when we arenāt and need to empty into a campground drain or manual transfer canisters or when at home?
For those cases weāre going to incorporate an aire āpressureā blow out utilizing a air mattress inflator pump to push the grey water up and out of the sanitary fitting into a transfer hose.
The sanitary fitting and vent would be external on deck fittings clearly marked.
We would also make a removable conformal fiberglass fresh water tank that will fit in under the fwd and aft dinette bench spaces.
First the fwd bench tank and then if needed add additional capacity under the aft bench below the existing fiberglass cubby that is original to the Mac26X. We would have an external deck fill & vent ports remote from the sanitary fittings and clearly marked.
We are thinking that 5 gallon tanks for the fresh and grey water should be sufficient for cruising the ICW???
Maybe we are being too optimistic/minimalistic and having 10 gallon tanks would be more appropriate???
As we are still newbies at this any suggestions/advice/opinion is appreciated.
Black Water Pump-Out
So while manually removal and emptying of the port-o-potty has worked so far it would be nice to be able to use the marina pump-out system when availableā¦ but we donāt want to lock ourselves in to āonlyā being able to use a pump-out facility such as when we are camping or returning home from a trip.
To that end we are looking at making a āstingerā that could be inserted into the flush valve of the port-o-potty manually and have there be a black water sanitary fitting external on deck. Manually dumping in a couple of gallons of ācleanā water into the holding tank should be adequate to clear out the port-o-potty holding tank.
When not in use the āstingerā would be inserted into a sealed āholsterā in the head room corner or in the cubby under the head sink out of the way and out of sight. While it might not meet all the regulations everywhere (such as in Canadian waters) it should be sufficient and still allow for our multi-functional use requirements.
Moving the A/C unit
This is something that we have gone back and forth on a couple times.
Having it on the same side as the battery set and galley causes a list to that side.
Moving cargo to compensate isnāt an ideal long term solution.
A/C is very much needed and enjoyed.
Undoing work already done is a bummer but it also opens up opportunity to improve the system by allowing us to reconfigure and incorporate an external inlet for the A/C condenser cooling air rather than using cabin air as it does now and balance out the boat.
Fribble on me for not doing this at the get go
ā¦
Shore power input
Still working out the details/locations/routings/components and how to be not only code compliant but address any galvanic issues at the same time.
Still planning on two shore power inputs, one up by the bow for when at a marina slip, and one at the stern for connection to a small 2000 watt gasoline inverter generator.
More thinking needed on how/where we would mount and protect a generator as having it open to the saltwater environments all the time isnāt gonna do the generator any favors. Sort of thinking a fiberglass or starboard or wood box with a removable aft face (when running) under the rear swing-up seat. Wonder if anyone else has done something similar??? Suggestions/opinions/advice???
Still looking for more info on a galvanic bridge to avert corrosion issuesā¦. Any suggestions/advice/opinions are welcomed.
Removable Hard Dodger
Weāve made some headway on this aspect with the design.
Will be using 1/2 isocyanurate foam board and fiberglass for base construct.
It will replace and fit into where our existing sliding hatch is located and will be able to slide fwd/aft as needed.
Companionway panel will be replaced with a two piece side hinged smoked plexiglass set of doors that will fit to the existing panel tracks with retainer pins so they can be removed if desired. Each door to have closable weather tight ventsā¦maybe with 1 VDC thin profile muffin fans?
The Dodger top would have SST grab rails (not as limber as I usedtobe
) on the sides.
Three large lightly smoked plexiglass panels for side views and a center top plexiglass panel for looking upwards with spring wound roll shades.
The Dodger top would also have a mast cradle support for when we are traveling with the mast down (on water and when on land.
The aft edges will incorporate the future capability to incorporate to an enclosure at a later date.
While we did give serious consideration to making the Dodger collapsible as four panels we decided that a single rigid structure tha slid fwd/aft woul best suit our needs at this stage. We also thought long and hard about having the front window panel of the Dodger capable of opening but eventually decided against it. If needed we feel we could retrofit that feature in the future.
Compliant foam rubber lip seals will be included to keep out the weather and bugs. An interior dome light and under top lip LED deck/cockpit light will be incorporated. Power connection to be via a protected slide in plug when the Dodger is closed. (We didnāt see much need for Dodger lighting when it would be open and it avoids the mess of curly-Q wire and such.
)
Plan is to make it more than sufficiently strong so we can both sit or stand on it if desired with the top fiberglass portion grip textured.
Front & Rear Arches
Not a whole lot of progress so far on these to be honest.
Looked at making from SST tubing, from aluminum, from wood, from fiberglass and combined materials.
SST tubing would cost the most from a materials perspective but fairly rapid to accomplish while being strong and weather resistant and also relatively light weight.
Fiberglass over foam would be the lightest but take the most time due to forming & finishing requirements.
Wood is a perpetual maintenance aspect that gives me pause and may not be as strong pound for pound as the other options.
Aluminum is tempting but would in all likelihood require welding and anodizing. Not things I can do with existing equipment I have available currently.
At this time the SST tubing approach is willing.
Arches are desired to support the mast when transiting by land or water, eventually supporting a solar array and full weather/screened enclosure.
Interior finished height of the arch is to be 6-1/2 feet up from the cockpit floor and also allowing for entry/exit fro three sides.
Mast Stepping
This is so we can lower the mast to a horizontal position when on the water for navigating as a cruiser ā¦
Best approach so far would be to cut the mast at the appropriate height, provide cable bracing to the bottom stump to cabin roof, an aft side hinge and an internal sliding sleeve splice.
Roller Furler Main Sail
This is a fairly high priority, as with my mobility issues clamoring up on deck to haul up/down the main sail isnāt one of those things Iām going to be able to do comfortably nor possibly as safely as Iād like.
Not interested in any āperformance lossesā as they are actually minimal in comparison to the safety and convenience aspects.
Will probably require modification of our existing main sail to remove battens and add a luff.
Modification to boom and goose neck.
Intent is to not need any modification to spreaders or cable stays.
Furling/unfurling to be accomplished from aft seat.
Weāve looked at several systems that others have accomplished on other sailboats as well as on Mac26.
Itās doable and as safe (Or in my case safer) than clamoring up on deck while underway.
Weāve already started to gather the components and materials.
A couple custom components need to be designed, fabricated, sourced but progressively this is moving forward.
New Engine
Still on order for nearly 9 months so far and not much progress.
I will be attempting to replace/rebuild the carbs and fuel pump on our 20 year old Tohatsu in the coming months among the other tasks to do as a backstop option to improve the reliability & performance until we can get our new engine.
This is still a very much a waitā¦waitā¦wait aspect before we can get to exploring the ICW or longer trips afield.
Kind of disappointing but it is what it is.
Then there are still the multiple home projects to accomplish such as kitchen remodel, rear windows and doors to replace in SC.
In NH the driveway is shot and needs senior refurbishment along with replacement of retaining walls and yard leveling.
These are physical challenges for me that can only be accomplished with help and a slow but steady incremental approach.
Little bits of progress every day on multiple fronts is the only realistic option.
Iām still hoping to at least get the Admiral and Over Easy to Charleston (SC), Edisto Island (SC), Savanna (GA) while down South.
Also hoping to get back North to Lake Champlain (VT) for several weeks if possible and visit with our daughter a UVM in the summer.
Itās a plan that we may not get all done but itās sort of like that phrase my Dad would tell me:
āAim for the Stars, if you miss then at least you stand a better chance of hitting the mountain tops!ā
As 2021 draws to a close,
We are grateful for our health, the health of our immediate family and that of our friends.
We are grateful for the members of this forum and unique community of MacGregor Sailors.
We are grateful for the health and well being of those same community members and that of their families and friends.
The COVID-19 Pandemic is still as bad as ever with the new variants, increased hospitalizations and increased mortalities.
It is not any better than in 2020 largely due to those that arenāt vaccinated.
It would be SO MUCH WORSE if it were not for the incredible accomplishments of all those involved in making the Covid-19 vaccines reality
The sense of loss and suffering is personal as I have seen it up close and personal earlier in life.
Please get vaccinated if you havenāt, get a booster when you can, practice social distancing, wear a mask when appropriate, help others.
We SINCERELY hope for a better and safer 2022 for everyone.
Best Regards to All,
Over Easy
to Beaufort SC! š 
(And the ice in the Scotch hasnāt even melted yetā¦. Oh well better get to it! 
). Oh well live and learnā¦(
I did get a nice fleece jacket though 
). Next time.
).
Hope you all have a safe, vaccinated and Happy Thanksgiving!
it!
and (maybe) New Years 
with our daughters. Everything was going according to plan
). 
in the first few days of January 2022 when I experienced a bit of a medical crisis which sent me to the Emergency Room not once, but twice, on the same day
! Without going into the excruciating details it seems that guys past a certain age can internally make their own ballast stones. Fortunately there are some good medical facilities up here in NH and some temporary mitigation relief could be had until a surgery could be scheduled. Unfortunately because of the surging COVID-19 hospitalizations (primarily due to unvaccinated individuals) there werenāt any non-life-threating surgeries being allowed at any of the hospitals in the entire state. 
. I thought well maybe some good will come out of it if I can lose some weight " didn't happen " 
, anyways all recovered now so I kinder know what u went thru & wish u all the best recovery & anyone else who on here might b havin some health issues take care.
continued recovery.
