Listings
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Diesel heater install (26m, outside installation)Ventilation - Zurich (MacGregor 26M) - May 31, 2025hello I installed a diesel air heater to extend the boating season — to enjoy some cozy moments in late autumn and early spring, and maybe even spend time at a beautiful anchorage in winter (with a Swiss cheese fondue ????). Important: No interior in...
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Teak Swim Platform with LadderCockpit - (MacGregor 26M) - April 29, 2025I wanted to make a better boarding ladder system that was still convenient to lower, raise and stow and would have a wider ladder that was deeper in the water for easier climbing. Also, almost the entire rig is configured with standard hardware which...
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Courageous Galley ModGalley - Coupeville (MacGregor 26X) - March 18, 2025Here's my galley mod for Courageous' new cabinet under the galley top. Project was completed 3/17/25 and provided for three small drawers, two larger drawers and a below-sink access door (for trash). A 2 min. video outlining the construction of the g...
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Motor Well Drain 26XMotor - Ohio (MacGregor 26X) - March 15, 2025Had slow drainage from my motor well since I purchased the boat. Unsure If drain was original? I Replaced all piping/tubing Supplies Two 1-inch PVC 90deg barbed fittings. Clear PVC Tubing inner diam 1-inch: 13in clear PVC tubing Two 3-inch segments o...
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Tiller clutch rope re-routeSailing - Grapevine (MacGregor 26S) - February 25, 2025I consider my Tiller Clutch to be essential for single-handing, but two things I did not like about the original rope arrangement (see yellow lines in first photo) were how they interfered with seating and that releasing them to allow the tiller to s...
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Pins for SpreadersRigging - (MacGregor 26M) - January 8, 2025Trying to reduce the need for tool in setting up the boat. The original locking of the spreader bars onto the bracket on the mast was by small bolts and nuts. I have replaced then with a locking/lynch pin as pictured. Will not rattle loose although I...
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Mac26X Swing Keel Lift Line Traveler Pulley to Reduce Require Force to Raise Keel by HalfMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - April 13, 2024Hi All! We’ve found that the pull force to raise our swing keel on our Mac26X can be a bit much at times. Especially when tired and sore or when the conditions are adverse. To that end we decided to add a traveler pulley system when recently changing...
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Mac26X Swing Keel Bracket and Pin Anti-Corrosion Sacrificial Aluminum Anode WashersMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - April 13, 2024We have noticed that our Mac26X 304 SST swing keel bracket and pivot pin have suffered measurable galvanic pitting corrosion. While we have checked this over the years and throughly blended out the observed corrosion pitting it has repeatedly returne...
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Mac26X Mod for Single Handed Swing Keel Removal & InstallMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - April 13, 2024Modification of the swing keel pivot bracket. Start with removal of ~23 year old corroding bracket Then take the replacement bracket from Blue Water Yatchs and replace the existing 3/8” dia x 3 inch lift screw with a 1/2” dia x 6 inch SST carriage bo...
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Companionway hatch boardCockpit - Calgary (MacGregor 26X) - December 3, 2023The goal was to make the door multi-piece for easier storage. Decided as well to provide a means of securing us inside the boat if needed, for instance in a shady Walmart parking lot. Used HDPE 'cutting board', a 3x3 piece is enough. Cheaper than Sta...
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Added Bow Support Bracket to trailerTrailer - (MacGregor 26X) - September 23, 2023One last project we finished today before launching was to finalize our bow support on our trailer. We actually got this from the replacement trailer we got and refurbished/adjusted for our runabout Scrambled. The replacement trailer was a Shore-Land...
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Simplified Static Ballast Blowout SystemSafety - (MacGregor 26X) - September 22, 2023>>> Installed Simplified Static Ballast Blowout System to ballast tank As of right now our thought is that this ballast blowout system is there for the off chance we find ourselves aground with a dropping tide or a lake/river sandbar and des...
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Easily Removable Sonar Transducer Stern MountInstruments - (MacGregor 26X) - September 17, 2023Hi All! We recently completed a mod to allow us to have a removable sonar transducer for our Mac26X. Advantages to easily remove our sonar transducer > when not in use > minimize marine growth > when trailering > when backing into the bea...
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My First Mod! Stern Berth LightingLighting - (MacGregor 26X) - September 1, 2023Hello there! We recently acquired ‘Courageous’ and have found the forum of tremendous benefit. So here’s my very first modification: lighting for the stern berth/storage area on our 26X. I ran low voltage wire from the battery compartment to the tran...
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Easy Fwd Fender RetrievalMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - September 1, 2023Hi All! We have our fenders rigged to the cabin top lifeline stantion posts as well as the stern rails. This spaces them out reasonably well. We found that getting the forward fenders up and down was a bit of a hassle. Climbing up on the cabin deck w...
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Modifying the biminiMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - July 24, 2023I don't know where the previous owner found this bimini But I've never seen one this tall on another 26X. Any suggestions for how to shorten, and tighten up this thing? Added picture of an actual mod, that I like, the adjustable back stay.
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installing stern rail seatsCockpit - (MacGregor 26M) - July 18, 2023https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu2GCXMRBYp/
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Mod to 12 gal tanks on a Mac26XMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - June 25, 2023Original Post by OverEasy » Sat Mar 27, 2021 2:16 am Our objective is to prepare Over Easy and ourselves for extended cruising of the Atlantic Intra-Coastal Waterway in 2022. Given the remoteness, narrowness and lengths of many of the waterways we fe...
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New Mid CleatsMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 26X) - June 12, 2023Hi All Our 2001 Mac26X came with the standard bow and stern cleats which have in general been relatively functional for tying up at the dock, slip and pier but there have been several times when having a set of mid cleats would have been advantageous...
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Tool-free bolt modRigging - (MacGregor 26S) - May 19, 2023Tired of carrying two crescent wrenches in my pocket while rigging/derigging my 26S, I modified some SS bolts to accept split rings and rounded the ends for easy insertion. I do worry that the split rings might catch ropes, but time will tell on that...
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Easy mod for easy front hatch operationInterior - (MacGregor 26S) - May 19, 20232 things - a spring and a self-locking wing nut. The latter is not easy to find - I had to order off Amazon. The spring was in my inventory of spares. I would imagine one could be found at your local big box. Get stainless steel if possible, of cours...
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Battery hold-downElectrical - GRAPEVINE (MacGregor 26S) - May 18, 2023Secure single point-of-release hold-down for batteries.
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Replaced PortlightsExterior - (MacGregor 19) - April 30, 2023I replaced the plexiglass portlights and added a porthole in the head compartment. I used 3M VHB tape and Dow 795 black sealant for a “screwless” installation. The porthole was bolted through the fiberglass with the heads countersunk before adding th...
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Guide Post AdditionTrailer - (MacGregor 26X) - April 13, 2023Several years ago……We found that attempting to land our Mac26X on the trailer in windy and cross current conditions has been challenging :@ :#(and seriously humorous to the boat ramp crowd :p). We started with two post just rear of the aft axle. … st...
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“Mini” A/C Condensate BilgeWater Systems - (MacGregor 26X) - March 4, 2023It’s March 4th, Saturday night, and I’m deep into the bilges of Over Easy having just completed a new Mini Air Conditioner Condensate Darwin Bilge! Ta Da!!! We had wanted to get this accomplished ever since we installed the A/C in Over Easy! It sorta...
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Locking Rotating Mast - M26Rigging - (MacGregor 26M) - December 28, 2022Through necessity, I bent the mast and it wouldn't rotate from side to side, I decided to "lock" the mast straight ahead until I solved the mast problem. It was pretty simple, drill a hole in the mast foot plate and the plate attached to the bottom o...
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Battery switch and chargerElectrical - GRAPEVINE (MacGregor 26S) - October 26, 2022An out-of the way solution to battery switch and charger installation. Switch and charger are mounted on a piece of 1/2" plywood mounted on hinges to allow them to swing up out of the way.
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HomeMade Anchor sailAnchoring - (MacGregor 26X) - September 20, 2022Good condition Dacron sailcloth cut from Old used jib. I reinforced each corner with 3 layers of dacron and used v69 bonded polyester thread in a singer heavy duty 4423 sewing machine. Leech and luff reinforced with boltrope made from paracord 550. B...
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NEW INTERIOR CUSHIONS AND UPHOLSTERY INSTALLEDInterior - (MacGregor 26X) - September 19, 2022WE FINALLY installed our new 6” thick conformal foam pads! We decided to leave the dinette table down to make things more comfortable while staying aboard and over nightingale in Over Easy. We made a new simple bow berth extension to lengthen that be...
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NEW REMOTE CONTROL BOW SEARCH LIGHT INSTALLED ON ANCHOR LOCKER HATCHSafety - (MacGregor 26X) - September 19, 2022While we like and use our Q-Beam hand held search light it is sometimes awkward to manage it and the helm at the same time at night. Fortunately we’ve only had to do this only about a dozen times so far and in calm conditions… that may not always be ...
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VAN FULL DIAMETER SPARE TIRE CARRIERSafety - (MacGregor 26X) - September 19, 2022When we purchased our Caravan back in 2017 we insisted on getting a full diameter spare tire to go along with it. The van came standard with a fancy air pump and an integral can of fix-a-flat but we weren’t impressed. The next option was a small diam...
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Improving hatch coversInterior - (MacGregor 26M) - September 9, 2022On my new to me boat, I've noticed where previous owners scratched the hatch areas and floor areas with the long stainless machine screws used to align the hatch covers. I also poured myself a few times and was generally annoyed with the setup. I dec...
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DIY gimbaled butane/propane stoveGalley - (MacGregor 26M) - September 1, 2022I made this gimbaled stove out of a cheap camping stove, two pairs of metal bookends, and some bearings. Added some metal strap around the top as a pot holder to keep things from sliding off. There is also a PVC pipe full of weights screwed to the bo...
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(back)Stay out of the way!Rigging - Backstay (MacGregor 26S) - August 18, 2022Moving the backstay so it does not block the ladder and swim platform.
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Galley Mod- Epoxy Pour counterGalley - Galley (MacGregor 26M) - August 8, 2022Made new galley counter and modified galley. Did an epoxy pour. Installed new sink, faucet, hand soap dispenser, water pump and stove. Made drawer frame, drawers and drawer fronts. Added earth magnets to keep drawers from opening when heeling. Cut ac...
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Bimini Height ImprovementCockpit - Bimini (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022And then we modified the Bimini. The Bimini height originally was a bit too low in that one couldn’t stand up in the cockpit where moving about basically bent over. This was more than a bit awkward. We made a pair of extension legs to raise the Bimin...
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Motor Well Drain ScreenMiscellaneous - Screen (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022Next we added a engine well drain screen to keep all the nuisance crud, pine needle, acorns, leaves, etc… from wandering down the drain pipe. We found it at Lowes in the kitchen and bath sink accessories section. It’s perforated deburred SST sheet ma...
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Repair/Mod for Pedestal Side Panel MountingMiscellaneous - Pedestal (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022As we may have mentioned previously about the Well-Nuts we put in the pedestal to hold the side panels… didn’t work out as planned ( to put it mildly :| ). After looking at several options we decided to make sections of PVC board blocks and secure th...
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Improved Helm Steering ClearanceMiscellaneous - Steering (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022While we had the pedestal unbolted we decided to adjust our steering wheel. The PO replaced the steering unit and the mounting bracket has a three “ish” inch offset flange. The PO mounted it so the wheel was further aft and the trim collar cone that ...
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Engine Load Distribution/Reinforcement PlateMotor - Reinforcement (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022In preparation for our new engine we decided to take the opportunity to add a new additional load distribution/reinforcement plate. The new 3/4” thick G-10 transom reinforcement plate was cut to size, drilled, edge routered both sides, primed and coa...
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NEW & IMPROVED THROUGH THE HULL BOXInstruments - Sonar (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022We decided that while our original through the hull sonar transducer tank worked well for straight down depth reading it didn’t allow us to use the side scan sonar feature due to the original tank restricting the side view angles We originally tried ...
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Improved Pedestal FeedthroughsCockpit - Pedestal (MacGregor 26X) - July 18, 2022While having to unbolt the pedestal from the cockpit floor I decided that while the cables were removed it was a prime time to investigate the persistent nuisance leak into the aft berth I’ve suspected originates at the two pedestal feed throughs. It...
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Folding door to headInterior - Interior mod (MacGregor 26S) - July 13, 2022Having a door that folds works so much better.
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Porta-Potti Hold-DownMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 19) - June 24, 2022My porta-potti just flopped around in the head when I bought the boat. I made a block out of Starboard to hold the back of the toilet tank to the bulkhead and used a stainless steel hinge and pin to hold the front of the unit. Had some leftover floor...
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Misc. Trim & Aesthetic ModsMiscellaneous - (MacGregor 19) - June 19, 2022Just a few interior trim and aesthetic upgrades to make the M19 look a little more finished. I added vinyl bead welting in the gaps around the head to make it easier to keep the boat clean, added a screw-in inspection port above the ballast tank vent...
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Pop-top gas strutsExterior - Pop-top (MacGregor 26S) - June 9, 2022I ordered several different struts from Amazon and found a combination that worked: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLY2NSC?ps ... ct_details These come 6 to a package, so you have two spares. All mounting hardware provided. Only 16 bucks. I chose these...
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compressor refrigerator positionElectrical - refrigerator (MacGregor 26X) - May 26, 2022living the boat, more than once I found myself on the ladder and every person of the crew asked me "While you are there ....". I realized at that moment that the best place for the fridge was right at the entrance
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Mac26X DC Electrical SystemElectrical - Shaped electrical panel (MacGregor 26X) - May 26, 2022Shaped electrical panel with dimmable light synoptic.
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Bottom PaintExterior - Bottom Paint (MacGregor 19) - May 5, 2022Decided to keep the boat in a slip at our local marina on the Napa River so that we would use her more often. I let her sit in the water at the dock for about three weeks to establish a good waterline, then had the marina handle the project. I would’...
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Removable swim platformExterior - Swim (MacGregor 26S) - April 21, 2022Roomy, sturdy, easily installed and removed swim platform for my Mac 26S. Can be left on while cruising. First photo shows it ready for action, with the boarding ladder removed from the transom and reinstalled on the platform. Second photo shows boar...