Relocate head compartment
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2330
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Relocate head compartment
Re:flexing. I don’t really know. The boats entirely too flexible in my opinion though. The unsupported hull sides from the cockpit to the dagger board trunk have never sat well with me. I’d love to have another partial bulkhead on the other side, and will eventually, when I redo the sliding galley. The new galley will be anchored to similar partition but not as large. These partitions are glassed in with four to five passes of 10 ounce cloth and are intended to be as strong as the rest of the boat.
During the course of this project, I have certainly thought of improvements that might be possible, though. I would not recommend doing this project with the particular method I used here. I would instead make a mould for the bulkhead panel and bonding flanges, and then create a pre finished fiberglass panel that could be easily bonded into place with very minimal cosmetic collateral damage. This allows for all finish work to be completed outside the boat, and would offer a much more “factory” appearance. The last is not that important to me, but the former would be welcomed. Once the partition was ready, it could simply be glued in place with a good adhesive marine sealant and probably be as strong as needed. That would be lighter, and use no wood. It could be created and finished with much cheaper polyester based products instead of epoxy.
Better still, just get another boat with the layout you want. That’s the easiest. I only bother to do this stuff because the boats working well for my fairly narrow use case scenario, even within the macgregor class.
Ix
During the course of this project, I have certainly thought of improvements that might be possible, though. I would not recommend doing this project with the particular method I used here. I would instead make a mould for the bulkhead panel and bonding flanges, and then create a pre finished fiberglass panel that could be easily bonded into place with very minimal cosmetic collateral damage. This allows for all finish work to be completed outside the boat, and would offer a much more “factory” appearance. The last is not that important to me, but the former would be welcomed. Once the partition was ready, it could simply be glued in place with a good adhesive marine sealant and probably be as strong as needed. That would be lighter, and use no wood. It could be created and finished with much cheaper polyester based products instead of epoxy.
Better still, just get another boat with the layout you want. That’s the easiest. I only bother to do this stuff because the boats working well for my fairly narrow use case scenario, even within the macgregor class.
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2330
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Relocate head compartment
Re:flexing. I don’t really know. The boats entirely too flexible in my opinion though. The unsupported hull sides from the cockpit to the dagger board trunk have never sat well with me. I’d love to have another partial bulkhead on the other side, and will eventually, when I redo the sliding galley. The new galley will be anchored to similar partition but not as large. These partitions are glassed in with four to five passes of 10 ounce cloth and are intended to be as strong as the rest of the boat.
During the course of this project, I have certainly thought of improvements that might be possible, though. I would not recommend doing this project with the particular method I used here. I would instead make a mould for the bulkhead panel and bonding flanges, and then create a pre finished fiberglass panel that could be easily bonded into place with very minimal cosmetic collateral damage. This allows for all finish work to be completed outside the boat, and would offer a much more “factory” appearance. The last is not that important to me, but the former would be welcomed. Once the partition was ready, it could simply be glued in place with a good adhesive marine sealant and probably be as strong as needed. That would be lighter, and use no wood. It could be created and finished with much cheaper polyester based products instead of epoxy.
Better still, just get another boat with the layout you want. That’s the easiest. I only bother to do this stuff because the boats working well for my fairly narrow use case scenario, even within the macgregor class.
Ix
During the course of this project, I have certainly thought of improvements that might be possible, though. I would not recommend doing this project with the particular method I used here. I would instead make a mould for the bulkhead panel and bonding flanges, and then create a pre finished fiberglass panel that could be easily bonded into place with very minimal cosmetic collateral damage. This allows for all finish work to be completed outside the boat, and would offer a much more “factory” appearance. The last is not that important to me, but the former would be welcomed. Once the partition was ready, it could simply be glued in place with a good adhesive marine sealant and probably be as strong as needed. That would be lighter, and use no wood. It could be created and finished with much cheaper polyester based products instead of epoxy.
Better still, just get another boat with the layout you want. That’s the easiest. I only bother to do this stuff because the boats working well for my fairly narrow use case scenario, even within the macgregor class.
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
-
- Admiral
- Posts: 2270
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: Relocate head compartment
Hi Ixneigh!
Nice work!
Getting something done the first time at all is always a challenge!
Finding better/easier is always a 20/20 hindsight by-product of the first time and sometimes the second time too!
That’s why good a experienced R&D Engineer does prototypes (Alphas and Betas) before going into a production design when coming up with a new product for market.
I think you’ve done a really ambitious one-off custom project that looks great as well as being wel thought out! Kudos to you!
Best Regards
Over Easy
Nice work!
Getting something done the first time at all is always a challenge!
Finding better/easier is always a 20/20 hindsight by-product of the first time and sometimes the second time too!
That’s why good a experienced R&D Engineer does prototypes (Alphas and Betas) before going into a production design when coming up with a new product for market.
I think you’ve done a really ambitious one-off custom project that looks great as well as being wel thought out! Kudos to you!
Best Regards
Over Easy
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2330
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Relocate head compartment
So this project is usable. The door took a lot of thought and now it opens to the back, so it can be left partway open to give a bit more space to undress. I am not proud of the carpentry work, it’s impossible to do decent quality with no shop. But it works. I did a fair imitation of a salty seal seaworld show and only a dash or two of the water got on the cabin sole. Everything was comfortable to use, with a battery operated bucket shower that can be found on Amazon. This little device uses a lot of water so my plan of just letting it recirculate a while was a good one. One minor annoyance was the shower head has very fine holes so it clogs quickly with a little stray sawdust. After the first use that should be less of an issue. Upon getting good and wet, checking the drainage from the seat to the floor sump (not perfect since boats down by the head on her trailer) I soaped up and rinsed off. Earlier in the day I had put the table in place, and put a lot of stuff away I had thrown into the forward part of the boat to get the project area clear.
I was going to give the epoxy pigment a bit of a wet sand but I decided it looked ok for now. I still need to install hinges on the seat cover, and maybe some way to block out the windows for privacy while at a dock. The door latch which is a two sided barrel bolt, needs the small chrome brass knobs I bought on eBay for the finishing touch. Lastly I need to install a vent to extract air from inside the locker where the toilet is. I’ve been wanting to ventilate the space between the hull and liner anyway and this will also accomplish that. I might use a solar vent if I can find one a like or a 12 volt muffin fan.
I was going to give the epoxy pigment a bit of a wet sand but I decided it looked ok for now. I still need to install hinges on the seat cover, and maybe some way to block out the windows for privacy while at a dock. The door latch which is a two sided barrel bolt, needs the small chrome brass knobs I bought on eBay for the finishing touch. Lastly I need to install a vent to extract air from inside the locker where the toilet is. I’ve been wanting to ventilate the space between the hull and liner anyway and this will also accomplish that. I might use a solar vent if I can find one a like or a 12 volt muffin fan.
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
- Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1565
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Relocate head compartment
Looking good!
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
- Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 7851
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Relocate head compartment
Wow! Pictures tell a thousand words.
Your carpentry work looks great.
You have one of the coolest Macs with all your custom mods. You have truly customized this boat to work best for you which is awesome.
Your carpentry work looks great.
You have one of the coolest Macs with all your custom mods. You have truly customized this boat to work best for you which is awesome.
--Russ
-
- Admiral
- Posts: 2270
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: Relocate head compartment
Hi Ixneigh!
Loo-e-Loo-e!
Awesome Job! Great work and a Truely Unique Mod!!!
You done great!
Best Regards,
Over Easy
Loo-e-Loo-e!
Awesome Job! Great work and a Truely Unique Mod!!!
You done great!
Best Regards,
Over Easy
- Jimmyt
- Admiral
- Posts: 3245
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec
Re: Relocate head compartment
Looks fantastic! Excellent job!
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2330
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Relocate head compartment
Thanks for the compliments everyone. And thank you for all the input and opinions. I used it again last night now that everything is finished. It’s more comfortable than at home. Two and a half gallons of water provides a nice amount of shower. I guess I’ll have to get that water maker going soon.
Ix
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
- pitchpolehobie
- Captain
- Posts: 555
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: USA, OH
Re: Relocate head compartment
Wow some of these guys wanna be so bad...
Looks great I bet it makes long duration voyages much more tolerable.
Looks great I bet it makes long duration voyages much more tolerable.
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
- Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 7851
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Relocate head compartment
I gotta agree. Why did Roger change that?pitchpolehobie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 4:17 pm Wow some of these guys wanna be so bad...
Looks great I bet it makes long duration voyages much more tolerable.
The X head seems so much smarter.
--Russ
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6421
- 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: Relocate head compartment
I am truly impressed with your conceptualization and your skill to achieve it. I must say that I still prefer the M interior to the X. The X is too austere for my tastes. Others feel differently.
When we take extended trips with our M, we are at marinas every night. The excellent facilities make the need for a shower on board not necessary. I do have an expandable shower head on the stern. If and when we are dropping the hook for the night, we can shower in the cockpit, and use the water from the 30 gallon bladder in the bow (under the bunk). Not heated water, but we are already roughing it I’m sure someone will need to say why they prefer their Mac over another; it won’t be something already stated over the last twenty years I have been on this forum. Just an opinion to an excellently conceived and completed Mod.
To those who may be sensitive, In no way am I disrespecting X owners. Just a personal choice in Mac’s. Too each his own. Sail on.
When we take extended trips with our M, we are at marinas every night. The excellent facilities make the need for a shower on board not necessary. I do have an expandable shower head on the stern. If and when we are dropping the hook for the night, we can shower in the cockpit, and use the water from the 30 gallon bladder in the bow (under the bunk). Not heated water, but we are already roughing it I’m sure someone will need to say why they prefer their Mac over another; it won’t be something already stated over the last twenty years I have been on this forum. Just an opinion to an excellently conceived and completed Mod.
To those who may be sensitive, In no way am I disrespecting X owners. Just a personal choice in Mac’s. Too each his own. Sail on.
Ray ~~_/)~~
- pitchpolehobie
- Captain
- Posts: 555
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: USA, OH
Re: Relocate head compartment
I think its a bit of a case of "you want what you dont have" with the 26x/m... there are times i wished I had the salon layout of the M and I love the lower set of windows in the M for viewing out. But i do love my X big 4 person table.I think all X and M users that have ever tried to use their toilet for "serious business" would love ixneighs modification.
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
- dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 4645
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: Relocate head compartment
pitchpolehobie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 4:17 pm Wow some of these guys wanna be so bad...
Looks great I bet it makes long duration voyages much more tolerable.