MacGregorSailors.com

Hi everyone,

I decided to start this topic and share my experiences as a new owner of a 2008 MacGregor 26M, which has only been used for 18 hours.
It’s equipped with a 50 HP Evinrude E-TEC engine.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve asked several questions here and received such kind and helpful messages from many of you.

I thought that sharing my upcoming experiences over the next months/ years might be especially helpful for other new boat owners.

I’ll start with my first adventure: cleaning the deck

After doing quite a bit of research, I decided to order "Star brite Deck Cleaner". It was a lot of work because at first I didn’t use the gel “pure”,
but I diluted it with water. As a result, I had to clean the deck twice .
But the final result was very satisfying! I don’t have experience with other deck cleaning products yet, but for now I’m happy with this one.

For the whole deck, I used almost the entire 1-liter bottle.

I’m sharing some before and after photos with you below.

Um, as a new owner you hafta buy the pizza

Agi wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 12:59 pm Hi everyone,

I decided to start this topic and share my experiences as a new owner of a 2008 MacGregor 26M, w

Looks great.

Did you use a power washer? That makes my work easier.

It looks good.

Το σκάφος μου δεν φαίνεται τόσο καλό όσο το βρώμικο σκάφος σας. Ενοικιάζετε τις υπηρεσίες σας;

cool!

In the photo your spreaders look somewhat strange...

Agi wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 12:59 pm

This spreader looks bent. It should be straight.

It took me a while to realize that it’s a lot easier to rig and de-rig the boat if the spreaders are not attached.. It eliminates the dance with the mast in getting the spreaders under the life lines.

I also always carry two spare spreaders for that “just in case” situation.

well, thats right. I myself derig 1 spreader for the mac mast dance...

BUT: don't forget: If you derig the spreaders you may have a hassle with all the lines later...

I have started using D pins this year. It makes removing the spreaders fast.

I still have the original folding spreaders, which were updated to fixed pretty early on in 26X production. I believe the fixed ones firm up the mast rigging, but it sure is convenient being able to motor with the mast down and pushed off to one side using the original pivoting mast crutch and folding spreaders.

Hey,

Thank you all for your answers and beeing so alert.

@dlandersson -> thats a good one I thought about it too and want to use one next time, because it was a lot of work with the brush.
@ NiceAft -> hahahahah ))))

@kurz @Russ -> what is the spreader? I havent bent something it was like this...mhhh....do I have to change something?

Agi wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:32 pm
@kurz @Russ -> what is the spreader? I havent bent something it was like this...mhhh....do I have to change something?

The spreader is circled below, it shouldn't be bent into a curve where circled, just a straight angle out from the mast.

Agi,

This is a photo of a page from the manual. These are spreaders. See how straight they are.

Russ wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 10:02 am I have started using D pins this year. It makes removing the spreaders fast.

I got these https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3461-1v4.htm stainless quick pins from BWY. I put a hole in the shroud tang and went to West Marine to make a tether for them. You can use their swage tool for free. The wire rope and misc hardware only cost $3-4. The cheapest trip to West Marine I've ever had.

Jeff

Did you get to attend the seller's ceremony?

Agi wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 3:32 pm Hey,

Thank you all for your answers and beeing so alert.

@dlandersson -> thats a good one I thought about it too and want to use one next time, because it was a lot of work with the brush.
@ NiceAft -> hahahahah ))))

@kurz @Russ -> what is the spreader? I havent bent something it was like this...mhhh....do I have to change something?