Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
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- Engineer
- Posts: 173
- Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 5:44 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Homestead, FL
Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
So, I bought my Macgregor 26M last year and have had a modest amount of issues come up that has limited my ability to sail. With the boat, the major issue was the broken motor trim hydraulic cylinder. Most other issues were personal, split between lack of free time (me) and lack of available crew to come out and make sailing simple. Because my friends are all complete novice sailors, I've only used the roller furler jib for most outings. It wasn't until I went out in early November that we actually raised the main. It was an absolute blast and the boat did much better than I had anticipated. I left the motor down and the wind wasn't really that strong, but the boat responded well and we puttered at a surprisingly good clip. One thing I noted, though, was that the mast didn't rotate. I checked, later, and it looks like there is a tack weld at the base of the mast, along with a bolt.
I'm going to have time to mess about with the boat tomorrow and will take a photo, but I'm curious on if anyone else has a locked mast on their 26M.
I'm going to have time to mess about with the boat tomorrow and will take a photo, but I'm curious on if anyone else has a locked mast on their 26M.
- Sea Shadow
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:31 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Boronia, Victoria, Australia
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
I still have the rotating mast. However, I did "lock it" with a pin when I had a problem with the mast rotating and staying in the rotated position on setup and subsequent sailing. I worked out that the problem was that I had bent the mast on setup . Subsequently got the mast straightened and back to rotating. I also lock the foot of the mast when trailering to keep the mast orientated into my centre mast support. That being said, I am probably like you and have not really compared performance in either mode and I am not sure it makes an appreciable difference if you are just cruising.
Just my tuppence worth (I am old enough to remember when we had pennies for money down here).
PS: Tuppence = two pennies.
Just my tuppence worth (I am old enough to remember when we had pennies for money down here).
PS: Tuppence = two pennies.
Extraordinary times expose (extra)ordinary people.
- kurz
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
@sea shadow
How did you lock the Mast with a pin.
Details! Photos!
How did you lock the Mast with a pin.
Details! Photos!
- NiceAft
- Admiral
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- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
Idiot fool,
Running all lines to the cockpit makes it more enjoyable to single sail. No more going up on deck to raise or lower the main; no more going up deck to use the boom topping lift. There are not a lot of parts needed, I did it with three.
Running all lines to the cockpit makes it more enjoyable to single sail. No more going up on deck to raise or lower the main; no more going up deck to use the boom topping lift. There are not a lot of parts needed, I did it with three.
Ray ~~_/)~~
- Russ
- Admiral
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Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
--Russ
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
I can’t imagine sailing my boat without her rotating mast, esp in shallow water.
Ix
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
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- First Officer
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:53 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Belle River Ontario
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
Mine is locked too... just bolted super tight.. have a slight bow to the mast port/starboard so it does not center ..
Not a big deal.
may try to straighten mast a bit.. so it will rotate.. not worried.. (what will you loose? 0.05knots?)
AD
Not a big deal.
may try to straighten mast a bit.. so it will rotate.. not worried.. (what will you loose? 0.05knots?)
AD
- Sea Shadow
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:31 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Boronia, Victoria, Australia
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
Just drilled a hole through the plate attached to the bottom of the mast and the plate on which the mast rotates. Used a drop nose pin to "lock" the mast so it won't rotate
Extraordinary times expose (extra)ordinary people.
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- First Officer
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:53 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Belle River Ontario
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
SEA SHADOW: just wondering what your process was to straightening the mast?
AD
AD
- Sea Shadow
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:31 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Boronia, Victoria, Australia
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
I tried to do it myself by propping the mast either side of the bend but I couldn't get enough constant t pressure down on the bend ie my weight and additional suspended weight. Elected to go to a rigger who had an anchor point cemented to the floor of his workshop. Suspend the mast and block a tackle it straight. I was not there for the process but on speaking to him the M mast is quite substantial for the size boat. He did warn it might end in tears but everything worled out well. Apparently he over-corrected it slightly and it is now straight and good to go.
Extraordinary times expose (extra)ordinary people.
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- First Officer
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 12:53 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Belle River Ontario
Re: Anyone else have a 26M with a locked (non-rotating) mast?
Thanks..
I did see someone block off a mast... and between the bows the put an I beam. Where the I beam was gapped and not straight, they put a ratchet strap and cranked on it.
Sounds like a similar method..
AD
I did see someone block off a mast... and between the bows the put an I beam. Where the I beam was gapped and not straight, they put a ratchet strap and cranked on it.
Sounds like a similar method..
AD