Mods
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Correct Mast Raising Stay DesignRigging - MRS (MacGregor 26M) - January 30, 2020The 26M raising stays are not connected to the mast. This is easily rectified by connecting the stays at the mast raising bail. The problem is, the stanchion connection is not in line with the hinge pin at the mast step bracket. In this mod, I reloca...
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Another Furler SupportTrailer - Furler (MacGregor 26M) - January 17, 20204" PVC pipe with 1/8" x 3/4" aluminum straps. Velcro straps attach support to mast and furler to support. Finally losing the crutch!
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Galley, Wallas stove-heaterGalley - Galley (MacGregor 26X) - January 15, 2020Galley update, including a Wallas stove / heater 800D + 200D, a mechanical controls microwave and a deep sink. https://wallas.fi/index.php?id=1062
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Coachwhipping the helmCockpit - steering (MacGregor 26M) - January 4, 2020I found that with such a small steering wheel I needed better grip so I took weeks of patience in coachwhipping it,
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Cherry wood GalleyGalley - Galley (MacGregor 26X) - December 31, 2019P.O. made a cherry galley with drawers and a small door and made a small upper cabinet with sliding doors. Drawers have clear plastic sliding covers and self lock. Lock requires finger press in hole. Son in-law made a very useful tray that doubles as...
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12’ KeelGuardExterior - (MacGregor 26M) - December 29, 2019I had some scratches and dings on the bow of my boat from the last 14 years of constant use. I was considering doing some gelcoat repair, but that is expensive and difficult, and will just get scratched and dinged again anyway. Instead, I added the l...
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Sink and doors sliding galleyGalley - (MacGregor 26M) - December 24, 2019Replaced fiberglass sink with bar sink from Lowes. Took out cubbies and replaced with 2 new doors. Much more space now. Pressure pump under galley. Published by: Russ
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Anchor Light and WindvaneLighting - - December 1, 2019This picture shows the mount for the anchor light and windvane. We didn't have a mast cap, so I used a piece of plexiglass (B) that I mounted on the brackets that the backstay attaches to. I picked plexiglass because it was handy, and it doesn't stan...
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12V Plug, ScreenElectrical - - December 1, 2019This picture shows a 12V plug that I added just inside the companionway, above the head door. There is a convenient, out of the way place in the corner in the corner of the head for the inside part of the plug. The wiring runs above the head door, th...
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Steering Connector and Drainage HolesMotor - - December 1, 2019This picture shows the custom-built connector from the steering system to the engine. We started with a connector from the dealer, but it didn't fit right. We had a welder build a new one, and it works great! We leave the engine and rudders both conn...
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Drainage HolesMiscellaneous - - December 1, 2019Here you can see the new lower drainage holes I drilled in the battery and gas compartments. The caulking in the compartment also needed to be redone since it had a few leaks which brought water and gas into the space between the inner and outer shel...
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VHF Radio, HooksInstruments - - December 1, 2019(A) shows the VHF radio we had installed. The guy doing the installation ran into the lower-upper liner problem and decided to just run the power lines outside the wall for a short distance from the upper liner and then into the side of the house bat...
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VHF AntennaInstruments - - December 1, 2019The VHF antenna cable (B) passes through the deck near the mast base. When you drill you hole for the cable, you have to watch for two things: * Make sure that you drill far enough to the side so that you do not hit the metal backing plate (A). * Mak...
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VHF AntennaInstruments - - December 1, 2019This shows where the antenna cable exits the deck. It comes out right next to the conterboard cable without rubbing against it. This end connects with the antenna cable exiting the mast on the same side. To get the coaxial antenna cable to come out t...
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RewiringElectrical - - December 1, 2019(A) is the power cables coming from the VHF and the compass. (B) is a bus bar that I glued onto the wall in the battery compartment. Wires run from the battery to this, and then to other circuits in the boat. I put a new heavier marine-grade cable fr...
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Circulation Fan, Interior Light, Gear HammockInterior - - December 1, 2019(A) is a circulation fan which pivots up and out of the way when not in use. (B) is a red/white flourescent light. The red light is nice for night sailing. (C) is the gear hammock over the galley area. Published by: Heath
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RewiringElectrical - - December 1, 2019No wiring other than the VHF power cords (I didn't do it) and a short wire from the fan are exposed in the interior. With patience, everything can be run through the conduits. All along the conduits are plastic hole covers from where the factory need...
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RewiringElectrical - - December 1, 2019This shows a conduit above the galley on the port side which is used for bringing wires from the upper to the lower parts of the boat, or vice-versa. My first guess was to drill hole (A) which is a two-inch hole. I soon found that the center drill gu...
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Compass in CockpitInstruments - - December 1, 2019I have added a compass in the cockpit. The only thing to watch out for is when you are drilling the hole in the bulkhead, make sure that when you insert the compass, it does not hit the sides of the access compartment behind the bulkhead. The line yo...
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Head Door HandleInterior - - December 1, 2019This is an easy one that makes a big difference. Our boat came from the factory without a handle on the head door. In order to close it you had to grab the little latch. I installed a nice little wooden handle on the inside of the head door so that i...
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Hatch AdjusterVentilation - - December 1, 2019The front hatch did not come with a hatch adjuster so there was no easy way to keep the front hatch open except for letting it flop all the back against the deck. This put a lot of stress on the hinges plus it was pretty unattractive. I installed a h...
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Keel ProtectorExterior - - December 1, 2019OK, this one might get some frowns from the hard-core sailors, but it has been good for us, and that's what matters, right? We have a 3M kevlar keel protector running from just under the eye bolt at the bow all along the keel to just before the cente...
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Pedestal Compass & GPSInstruments - - December 1, 2019I mounted a Ritchie Explorer Compass to the top of the pedestal on my '99 Mac 26X. As you can see in the picture I have a pedestal guard and table from Havencraft. To that I mounted a Edson mount that only attaches to one leg of the guard. This gave ...
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Microwave & drawers in galleyGalley - - December 1, 2019A 600 Watt GE Microwave was installed in the Galley area with two plastic drawers. The photo on the left shows the finished results and the right shows it without the microwave and the front. I used the lexan panel from the original equipment for doo...
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Dual axle trailerTrailer - - December 1, 2019One of the first mods I made was to add a second axle to the trailer. I just felt more confortable with the added margin. I also knew I was going to add a fair amount of weight (three batteries total, 4-stroke engine, 24 gallon fuel, etc.). Although ...
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Quick Release PinsRigging - - December 1, 2019We all hate to mess with clevis pins right? Try ball lock pins. I use 1/4 " x 2" pins on the boom/mast gooseneck connection, the tack of the main, and to fasten the roller reefing drum to the bow. Never had one come loose but I recommned using long p...
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"SAFETY HAND RAIL"Interior - - December 1, 2019To accomodate my 2 year old and an 80+ family members, I installed a stainless steel 16" handrail (from medical supply store) with 1/4" through bolts (4) and 2 #10x1 1/2 steetmetal screws into the port gangway entrance frame. This accomodates the gan...
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AC/DC panel installElectrical - - December 1, 2019I added an AC electrical system with shore power inlet and a permanent Heart Interface 1000 Watt inverter/charger. In the large picture you can see the AC panel that I installed next to the original DC panel. I upgraded the four switch DC panel to si...
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VHF RadioInstruments - - December 1, 2019I mounted an Apelco VHF radio under the distribution box in the cabin on the port side. With some effort I was able to route all the wires including the antenna behind the cabin liner. In the upper right of the large photo you can see where I mounted...
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Bilge pumpWater Systems - - December 1, 2019I installed a West Marine 2000 GPH bilge pump with 1-1/4" hose and a float switch under the cooler. I routed the hose to the transom thru-hull. It took about fourteen feet of hose. In the right of the large picture you can see the transom thru-hull j...
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Battery upgradeElectrical - - December 1, 2019I moved the original battery into the v-berth storage area and added a starter and an additional house battery. On the '99 Mac 26X models the area around the vent hole and splashguard is not level. I first installed a 2x4 on its edge along the aft pa...
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Fire ExtinguishersSafety - - December 1, 2019I mounted three fire extinguishers in our Mac 26X. I mounted a smaller model just behind the fore dining table seat against the starboard cabin wall in the v-berth area (see upper left part of graphic). I wanted one near the front hatch entrance/exit...
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Anchor rollerAnchoring - - December 1, 2019I mounted the custom anchor roller from Blue Water Yachts on "Sea Breeze." Works great and was not too difficult to install. The bow light is relocated onto a special bracket on the anchor roller. I had to extend (actually I replaced) the wire supply...
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Communications/entertainmentInterior - - December 1, 2019Greetings from Melbourne, Australia! I wanted to add music (radio/cassette/CD stacker) to 'Macanudo', my '97 26X. A 27Mhz radio was already installed hanging from a bracket just inside the companionway (hence there was power). It seemed a practical s...
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Communications/entertainmentInterior - - December 1, 2019Greetings from Melbourne, Australia! I wanted to add music (radio/cassette/CD stacker) to 'Macanudo', my '97 26X. A 27Mhz radio was already installed hanging from a bracket just inside the companionway (hence there was power). It seemed a practical s...
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VentsExterior - - December 1, 2019I found after having my 26x anchored in Monroe Harbor in Chicago for two seasons that mildew buildup was a problem, as was a musty smell. I have now installed four vents. The first is in the forward hatch, and it is a common plastic vent from West Ma...
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DoorsExterior - - December 1, 2019I purchased the boat used from a guy who had put two plexiglass doors (tinted) to replace the entranceway hatch/door on the original. These open outwards, and are made up of two identically shaped sections, one left and one right, essentially splitti...
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Lights & Electrical SystemElectrical - - December 1, 2019We put in two additional interior lights. One over the rear berth, and one in the head. both are white plastic from West Marine, and have both the white and red bulbs (red reduces the impact on your night vision when you turn in on). The one in the h...
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Self-Closing Head DoorHead - - December 1, 2019Want to solve a real irritating situation, especially for those of the female persuasion? The head door flops around as it is, and trying to lock it from the inside when the boat is under sail or power can be a real pain. We put the self-closing hing...
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Front SpeakersInterior - - December 1, 2019We installed speakers in the vertical surfaces just above the v-berth. I would advise some caution when cutting the fiberglass as it is quite thin. Be sure to put the styrofoam back up in behind the speakers for floatation and to avoid the speakers s...
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Hatch LiftVentilation - - December 1, 2019We installed a gas lift (the same type as used in hatchback cars) to keep the hatch partially open. The lift was available at West Marine, as were the brackets. I would recommend the 40# lift, as anything less seemed to hold the hatch open, but just ...
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FaucetWater Systems - - December 1, 2019I highly suggest this relatively cheap modification! We added an electric faucet (small pump in-line) controlled at the faucet by a turn knob, not by a button. The button ones mean you have to hold the button down, where the knob one works just like ...
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Rear SpeakersCockpit - - December 1, 2019We figured out a way to put speakers in the cockpit area (though my hat goes off to the guy that thought of mounting them in the pedestal, I hadn't thought of that). Our option was to use small box speakers (such as from Radio Shack) and screw a smal...
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Light In HeadLighting - - December 1, 2019Here is a picture of the light we put in the head. We put a similar one over the rear berth. In both we use a light with a white AND red light bulb with a dual position switch. By turning on the red light, you reduce the reduction of your night visio...
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Winch Handle PocketCockpit - - December 1, 2019See the attached where we placed a winch handle pocket. It is easy to find, and the pocket is always right where you need it (near the winches). Also note one of the doors that were constructed with the vent in the door. These are made of tinted plex...
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Autohelm (Sort - of)Cockpit - - December 1, 2019Here's a real HIGH TECH autohelm.... Sometimes I am sailing alone, have the boat going straight & even, & want to go down below for a few minutes (or maybe just for a beer). I have put one of the little eye-straps below the steering wheel, and I run ...
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Gas Tanks - Installation & DrainingMotor - - December 1, 2019Note gas tanks on either side - these were there when I bought the boat. I believe they are 9 gallon tanks. The past owner had do some minor cutting to the openings to get them in. From there, he cut holes in the seat, put those plastic screw plugs i...
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ventsVentilation - - December 1, 2019I have a MacGregor 19. (It's for sale by the way). I installed three vents that have totally eliminated any venting or ordor problems. I first installed a stainless steel louvered vent in the head door. I then installed a cowl vent in the head just t...
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Cockpit Queen size bedCockpit - - December 1, 2019Its usually too warm around Corpus Christi to sleep inside our cabin when we travel and anchor somewhere to sleep. The solution is simple. Mount six one inch strips of wood 6- ten inches long, which have had one edge rounded, to 3/4 of an inch below ...
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Boat CoverMiscellaneous - - December 1, 2019The full boat cover protects the boat against the harsh Australian sun. Without the cover the fibreglass becomes oxidised quickly especially the black around the windows. The cover is easy to put on with a zipper from the mast to the bow. I can do it...