MacGregorSailors.com

We've been looking at all sorts of mods, especially woodifying the interior, all of which I WANT.

I have two concerns:

1] Added weight. If I add all the mods I want, I have to be concerned about weighing the boat down.
Does anyone consider a top-limit on how much mods is too much?
Are there types of wood I could use to limit weight? (Teak is heavy, balsa is delicate)
Are there ways of paring weight down, say, thinner layers?
2] Mold. I want to line the walls but I'm concerned about moisture buildup. I'm torn between makiing panels removable, or givngi them an air gap, or securing them tightly so no gap at all.

Tips?

If you're looking for the look of real wood without the weight, consider wood veneer sheets over whatever is in place. Just Google the term--there are plenty of suppliers.

You can get plywood in thicknesses down to 1/8", and I think you're better off with a harder wood and a thinner sheet than going to a soft wood that will mar. This isn't structural stuff, so as long as you don't have any bulls loose in the china shop it should be fine for interior paneling.

I'd recommend spending a few months getting used to the boat and sailing it before you put a lot of time into mods. I think you'll find the way you use your boat changes quite a bit from what you're predicting now.

Matt

mastreb wrote:I'd recommend spending a few months getting used to the boat and sailing it before you put a lot of time into mods. I think you'll find the way you use your boat changes quite a bit from what you're predicting now.

Agreed. No hurry in the first season.

But got to keep the Admiral happy. My mods are all exterior. Her's'll be all interior.

I agree with wait a bit , and see what you really want this boat to do and what will work for you in the long run for maximum enjoyment...That said... I am now , 7 years later looking at changing the general purpose of my boat.. WE... had it set up for liveaboard.. It appears that , that purpose may now change..
Weight? You "might" want to consider distribution? Side to side ? Front to back? A popular Mod, is adding potable water storage. On the A place begging for a water badder is under the rear berth... However ... it puts more weight on/in a area that can often already be having negative effects on sailing speed and handling.. BUT .. that is, where mine is , and I offset that with Dive gear and Dive Tanks in the V berth.. So now I have say 150 lbs of water in the back and I balance that with 150 lbs of dive gear and tanks in the bow?? Resulting in 300 additional lbs the boat is required to carry..
Waterbago is a term that was popular here for awhile.. Not so much now. Motor homes are not fast and dont handle like a Corvette but they are lot nicer to sleep and eat in .

Hey, you want to go fast? Get a hydroplane:



Otherwise, enjoy the Mac for what it is: The best sailable/powerable/livable/trailerable/modifiable/bang-for-the-buck 26ft boat on the market.

~Rich

DaveC,

I would caution that every pound that you add to the boat will tend to slow it down, both under power and sail. A few pounds may not be noticeable, but several hundred pounds will definitely affect the boat's performance. Also, any weight added above the water line will raise the boat's center of gravity and affect the amount of heeling in all winds.

Dennis

Dennis its all true No Argument at all.. BUT...how true? I had..Just to name a few items .. 30 gallons of fresh water under the rear berth. Two complete sets of scuba and tanks and wet suits .. 30 gallons of gas , 2 big and one "ice Cube" cooler full of ice and food and BEER..canned food , boxed food 2 cases of water bottles 12 bottles of wine 4 - 1/2 gallons of Rum a case of coke ..cloths, fishing gear , 2 burner S.S. propane stove and 5 tanks of propane and I was towing a 9.9' dink with a 6 hp on the back of that .. and I was regularly breaking 4 knots according to my Garmin 546s with just ...the main up ..Those loss numbers so many quote, are for Displacement hull boats.. With all the stuff I was carrying I never lost sight of the boot stripe... No Doubt weight at some point is a factor .. how much is too much? Is yet to be established..

dennisneal wrote:DaveC,

I would caution that every pound that you add to the boat will tend to slow it down, both under power and sail. A few pounds may not be noticeable, but several hundred pounds will definitely affect the boat's performance. Also, any weight added above the water line will raise the boat's center of gravity and affect the amount of heeling in all winds.

Dennis

Divecoz wrote:...Waterbago is a term that was popular here for awhile.. Not so much now. Motor homes are not fast and dont handle like a Corvette but they are lot nicer to sleep and eat in .

Think I just found the name for my new

frede wrote:

Divecoz wrote:...Waterbago is a term that was popular here for awhile.. Not so much now. Motor homes are not fast and dont handle like a Corvette but they are lot nicer to sleep and eat in .

Think I just found the name for my new

So to make sure I get this, a waterbago is a type of boaterhome?

The effect of the weight depends a lot on where you put it. I've concluded that the best place to add weight is in the bow. I've sailed our boat many times with no water ballast--that's 1150 lbs lighter. Strangely, the sailing speed doesn't seem to be any faster. I've wondered if the fore and aft balance isn't right with no water ballast.

I think Waterbago sums it up fairly well, and not necessarily negatively. It is why we bought ours. I have added a good deal of wood and think the minimal loss of performance is an easy trade off for the comfort. The standard 5.2mm plywood at box stores weighs almost nothing. I made counter tops/tabletops out of pine to be cheap and light and just sealed the heck out of them. Cabinet faces and visual areas 1/2" oak for some texture. The total weight added was minimal and it made it much more liveable. The pics are from the final day of a 5 day trip last week.

Waterbago Boaterhome all seem now , to be appropriate .. and I love mine by any name..
What makes these boats faster or slower ? IMHO The Captain at the wheel has a LOT to do with it.. I can garuuuuntee I can sail slower than any of you on any day of the week.. Talk to Highlander if you want to go fast.. Jon is one of the Very Few That post proof of how fast he can go..
SEAPUP!!!
Thats a REAL PRETTY CABIN !!!

Where did you find the material to make those cushions!!?? Is It Exterior grade? I want Maroon and white or ivory for my cockpit cushions.
I cannot find nice stripped material like that anywhere...

SEAPUP!!!
Thats a REAL PRETTY CABIN !!!

Where did you find the material to make those cushions!!?? Is It Exterior grade? I want Maroon and white or ivory for my cockpit cushions.
I cannot find nice stripped material like that anywhere...

Thanks

The material is indoor only I would assume. We started using outdoor canvas from Jo-Ann fabrics but were not overly impressed with it. Then poking around we came across some upholstry material on the clearance table. It is quite thick, not sure if it was for furniture or drapes, but is working well inside, I wouldn't try it outside though.

Hamin' X wrote:Hey, you want to go fast? Get a hydroplane:



Otherwise, enjoy the Mac for what it is: The best sailable/powerable/livable/trailerable/modifiable/bang-for-the-buck 26ft boat on the market.

~Rich

Rid'em Cowboy!

mastreb wrote:

frede wrote:

Divecoz wrote:...Waterbago is a term that was popular here for awhile.. Not so much now. Motor homes are not fast and dont handle like a Corvette but they are lot nicer to sleep and eat in .

Think I just found the name for my new

So to make sure I get this, a waterbago is a type of boaterhome?

Yep, and very appropriate for my since I live in an RV