MacGregor 26M mast issue

[dave123]

Hi Folks,

I'm trying to find myself a good 26M in New Zealand. The condition of the boat didn't seem great. It's been out in the strong New Zealand sun for years and the running rigging is pretty UV-damaged as a result.

One fairly concerning thing I noticed was the mast. I'm aware that there's a mast rotation system on the 26M, and I've never seen one of these before. Looking at the mast there's quite a decent bend in it and it's not because it's being pushed by the stand that it's sitting on.

Imagine below.



I'm assuming it's not meant to look like that. But asking here to double-check.

Could it be someone's taken the port shroud off (or it's once broken) while the mast was up and the starboard one has pulled the mast over and bent it?

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

Dave

[kmclemore]

Yeah, that’s a pretty nasty bend. However, providing there’s no kink in the mast, or any cracks, it’s quite possible to be straightened using gentle pressure. My mast got a little bit of a bend in it, and I straightened it out that way, and it’s been fine ever since. It wasn’t quite as extreme as yours, but it was quite a noticeable bend. As to how yours was damaged, there’s any number of reasons - accidentally dropping it, having something come adrift while sailing, someone falling on it, moving the boat on land and snagging something, or even snow load.

[WinSome]

1. That mast bend needs to be checked out by a stainless steel expert - such as a millwright. Best case is it’s (a gentle-that’s a relative term) over 2-3’. Looks to me as if it’s bent 8-10”. If it’s a kink with metal breakage (stretching) evident it’ll need to be cut/spliced etc. Your millwright won’t guarantee anything like this repair, but if it’s gentle it might be stretched/shocked , back into straightness. We can offer info on ‘how to try to straighten’, but it’ll require some equipment. We’ve straightened an 8” gentle bend with success.
2. A conversation with BWY is a good idea. A splice could work.
And/or source a local replacement mast.
3. Replace the rigging! Check the chainplates integrity. They may have be shocked stressed( if bent while rigged)
4. Is the black wrap on the left side a covered roller furler? Check it out for degradation. Is the furler body ( incorrect term) cracked.
5. These are great boats and can be restored/ refreshed with great success. BUT the PRICE needs to reflect the work/ time that’s needed, plus a bonus.
This user group is your best resource. Send us more pics if you want thots. I’ll offer to come down and work on her with you. Send a ticket - it’s still winter here in Ontario , Canada.

[tuxonpup]

I would suspect dismasting with a 'we can stand her back up' solution. Price should be for the motor and hull sans mast/standing rigging/running rigging, all suspect. Actually, if the seller didn't disclose how that happened up front, run away.

[Russ]

4. Is the black wrap on the left side a covered roller furler? Check it out for degradation. Is the furler body ( incorrect term) cracked.

This is a good point. My roller furler was laying like that for a period of time in the heat and cold and it deformed and had a permanent twist. I tried to flatten it in the sun but it never really flattened out properly so I replaced it.

I'm no metal expert, but the bend in the mast looks like something I would have an expert examine. I had a snow load on a cover pull my mast down to the deck and bend it. Serious "U" shape as I thought about the cost of replacing it.
However, once I removed the load, it miraculously bounced right back into shape. That mast in your photo is bent while at rest, which concerns me.

The other problem is finding a replacement in NZ. I would source a replacement spar and use that for negotiating.

[dave123]

4. Is the black wrap on the left side a covered roller furler? Check it out for degradation. Is the furler body ( incorrect term) cracked.

Yes it is. I didn't get a good look at it.

5. These are great boats and can be restored/ refreshed with great success. BUT the PRICE needs to reflect the work/ time that’s needed, plus a bonus.
This user group is your best resource. Send us more pics if you want thots. I’ll offer to come down and work on her with you. Send a ticket - it’s still winter here in Ontario , Canada.

He's asking $25k NZD for it, which is cheaper than a few other 26Ms that have been for sale in NZ recently. Many owners are asking anything from 40-50k NZD. The bent mast one has done very little for 3+ years due to the owner being injured. There are some more pictures in the advert in https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boat ... 5761469863. Below the waterline seems to have quite fresh anti-fouling on it, which the owner claims was like that when he got it, so I assume it's not had much use in his time, or at least not been in the water much. There are various other issues like UV-damage to all running rigging, possible leaking chainplates or the window near the port chainplate. We have had quite a bit of rain over the past week and there was a small amount of water on the seat cushions. Also, both batteries need to be replaced. The engine hasn't been looked at or serviced in his time with it. The hull is from 2006 and engine from 2005, going by the numbers.

Another thing I noticed was the centre board had about 1cm of movement fore and aft. I've heard that having play is a common issue. 1cm feels like quite a lot of play, but unsure how much play is problematic. It certainly knocked loudly when I was moving it.

Many thanks to everyone for the mast advice. I don't think this particular boat is for me. I'm a little too time-poor for a boat project right now.

[OverEasy]

Hi Dave123!

Too bad about the mast.
It’s aluminum so it could be possible to get set up to straighten it but you’d have to know what your doing and get set up proper to accomplish it… it’s not a impossible but then again it’s not a cakewalk either.

BWY could possibly sell you a replacement but I figure the shipping to NZ would probably be eye watering!

The sun bake of 20 or so years is something that comes with the territory when dealing with boats.
Polish and buffing can restore the deck to some extent.
Painting is another option to make it look as good as new.

Rigging such as cable stays are something that shouldn’t degrade much as they are made from stainless steel.
Unless they are kinked, cut, corroded or have broken wires these should still be serviceable.
One could order replacement from BWY or make new ones with the use of a crisper.
West Marine Store often have a bench setup where one can utilize it to make your own replacements if you have a mind to.

The Furler can get a new sleeve again I believe through BWY.
Aged sails is sort f a difficult call… that’s where a person with experience can help a lot… particularly someone operating a sail loft.
Often times they can do an assessment and give you advice.

As you mentioned, all of that is gonna take time and resources to accomplish that you might not have the inclination to expend at this point.

The call is all yours what ever you decide.
Keep us posted on your search!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[DaveR-NZ]

Hi Dave, another Dave from NZ here, in fact Christchurch. I looked at that one a few weeks ago and I definitely didn’t notice the bent mast. I wonder if that’s had someone run into it while it’s sitting in the haulout yard. The owner definitely didn’t point it out to me either!

[WinSome]

Hi 2 Dave’s in Christchurch
I also wondered about that mast getting bent sideways recently. It may have happened there in the yard. I suspect in that case it can readily be straightened.( because it was attached at both ends and bowed over a few feet) . And no one will fess up to it getting caught in a sling traverse. But you still need it at a good discount. Looked at your pics, that boat seems clean. Consider it if discounted. Otherwise look around. X’s are also very good choices, and there are some in your area. We have fond memories of our visit to South Island in 2014. I’d say there’s neato sailing to be done there. Dave #1- get a Mac and get out there sailing and enjoying

[DaveR-NZ]

We are blessed with some great sailing locations, especially for trailer yachts, hence why they are so popular.

Ontario is great though too. My wife is from Mississauga, we lived over there for a year up in Aurora in 2013.

Dave #1, don’t have much experience sailing? If you need help or a second opinion on a boat, I’m the secretary for the trailer yacht squadron. We run the compound next to the haul out. Reach out to me via PM if you have any questions.

[WinSome]

Dave R. If you’re ever back here to Ontario and have time, connect and we’ll get you out on a Mac. Ha! I passed my motorcycle test in Aurora. A long time ago. I had a big bush beard and my wife’s Honda 70. They were all certain I had a big chopper bike at home that I didn’t want to use for the test!

[Ixneigh]

There is also the option to get another mast from a similar sized boat. Not sure what its like in NZ, but in the USA it seems like there are plenty of unwanted older, sub 30 ft boats to be found. Looks like OP has decided against the boat, but for other people facing a situation like that, a look around for marine salvage outfits might yield a suitable mast.


Ix

[dave123]

Dave #1, don’t have much experience sailing? If you need help or a second opinion on a boat, I’m the secretary for the trailer yacht squadron. We run the compound next to the haul out. Reach out to me via PM if you have any questions.

Greetings, other DaveR from Christchurch! Not a huge amount of recent experience. Mostly dinghies as a teenager. Very little on yachts. Now looking to become a born-again sailor! So much to explore by lake or sea on the South Island.