Mods
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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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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...
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Putting a skeg at the rear of the Mac 26XMiscellaneous - - January 25, 2019We put a 42 inch long X 6 inch deep skeg (short keel) on the aft bottom 43 inches of the boat. First we sanded a 11 inch wide area on the aft center area of the boat down to bare fiberglass. Next we put West Systems Epoxy (from now on just Epoxy) on ...
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Raised boom Bimini fits with standing room.Miscellaneous - - March 9, 2018Raised boom Bimini fits with standing room. I added 2 feet to the top of the mast. A very nice young man gave me a piece of his old 26X mast, Not a great fit but the track did line up. Will still be looking for a 26M piece of mast. I have not sailed ...
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SkegsMiscellaneous - - January 8, 2018
[IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2vcvqz9.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i63.tinypic.com/v5x445.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i63.tinypic.com/v5x445.jpg[/IMG] I added skegs to my 26M to help with stability when motoring, not as good as having the rudders down but work very...
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MacGregor 19 RuddersMiscellaneous - - December 28, 2017
I did not like the way my Mac 19 steered. A buddy dropped off his Mac 26C, that I had sold him, for winter storage. I noticed the bottom of his rudder post was identical to the bottoms of my Mac 19's rudder posts. The top of the 26C post was open, so...
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2:1 rudder single-loop uphaul downhaulMiscellaneous - - August 7, 2016This is my implementation of the 2:1 mechanical advantage rudder lines. A single loop is used for both uphaul and downhaul. SeaSaw has stern-mounted seats, giving me a well-placed rail/stanchion around which the loop goes so it does not foul. Publish...
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Hydraulic Steering ModificationMiscellaneous - - July 21, 2016I changed the steering on our 26X from the original cable steering to a hydraulic steering. The new steering is very smooth and accurate. The two main components I purchased as used items. The installation of the Seastar 1.7 helm pump required only m...
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Dinghy Storage and CushionsMiscellaneous - - March 26, 2016We dislike having life jackets, water bottles and other stuff just rolling around in the dinghy. Could not find a dinghy seat cushion with storage that had a lot of good comments. So if you want to do it right do it yourself or better have your wife ...
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Speed up your enclosure assemblyMiscellaneous - - February 8, 2015If you have a full canvas enclosure, like me, you might struggle with deploying it, trying to figure out which panel goes where, and how to orient them. I bought two rolls of coloured electrical tape and attached swatches to each corner of each panel...
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Mac washing machineMiscellaneous - - December 18, 2013No need to carry a heavy washing machine or look for laundymats. A toilet plunger and five gallon bucket work really well. Here's the proof. Published by: Al Garrett
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Broken Keel wireMiscellaneous - - June 1, 2013
I was sailing the other day and my keel wire broke. Can I put a new wire while the boat is in the water? I have the boat on a mooring and can dive . I see the old wire still attach to the keel but it is broken about 4 feet from where it attaches Publ...
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Mac 26M Parts drawings linkMiscellaneous - - March 18, 2013
Here is a link to the MacGregor FACTORY web page. http://www.macgregor26.com/suppliers_corner/commodity_list.html (Called suppliers corner) It has the technical drawings of all the SS parts that make up the rigging and a list of materials required to...
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Avoiding sun-glareMiscellaneous - - February 26, 2013I installed a regular window-shade to block the low standing sun on mornings and evenings and to provide shade during the day. Since the companionway is not that high, there is enough material on the roll to cut off soiled sections when needed. Publi...
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Daggerboard ReplacementMiscellaneous - - October 4, 2012When i got my boat to Mazatlan i didnt notice that the daggerboard was damaged, soon after the maiden sail it broke flush to the hull, after several eforts to solve the problem since in Mexico we have no spare parts i went to a fiberglass artisan and...
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Honda impella replacementMiscellaneous - - September 23, 2012
Just wanted to give heads up on changeing impella and parts required. When you change the impella and gaskets , be sure you have all the fins in same rotation. This can be a little tricky as you need to put in the T pin within 1/2 inch space and with...
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sums it upMiscellaneous - - May 15, 2012When you get tired of people telling you its not a sailboat Published by: davidsean
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New gate valveMiscellaneous - - April 29, 2012Replaced old gate valve, with a larger 3" one. Published by: bugman
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Sloppy Rudder Control HornsMiscellaneous - - December 11, 2011I've made a number of small modifications to the rudder control of my 26M to help remove slop from the control system. This is one that I've actually measured - The control arm inside the hull of the 26M attaches to the rudder horn via a single cross...
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Spray rail modificationMiscellaneous - - September 28, 2011Hello all or should I say ahoy shipmates, have a look at the spray rails fitted on my ship, the reason I added these was to eliminate or greatly reduce the spray that one gets in the face if one is motoring flat knacker, without the rails I would get...
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Access to the aft floatation areaMiscellaneous - - August 30, 2011Back in 2009, shortly after purchasing our 26M, I took the boat down for an 18 month period of modifications. This was one of the first modifications I started on the boat... but one of the last completed. I needed to gain access to the aft floatatio...
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Forward Hatch AdjusterMiscellaneous - - August 28, 2011Any old stick can be used to prop open the forward hatch, but I prefer something more integral. Simple enough to install so I'll save you folks one of my long drawn out speeches here. It does add, IMHO, a nice touch to the boat. Disclaimer: Following...
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Rudder Deployment Lines Entering HullMiscellaneous - - July 13, 2011Every now and then I noticed things on my sailboats that seem a bit unfinished to me, and one in particular was the simple hole drilled in the aft hull of the boat for the rudder deployment ropes. This area also happens to be another source of water ...
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Rudder Torque Tube BushingMiscellaneous - - July 7, 2011In my 26M, the steering linkage has always been a bit sloppy. When investigating, I noticed the fiberglass towers which hold the tops of the rudder torque tubes were quite worn. I suspect that was from the factories oversized hole and a few years of ...
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venture 17 manual neededMiscellaneous - - April 24, 2011
i recently purchased a used, i think 1996, Venture 17. It does not have a manual, a boom, or a rudder. Are those available for purchase somewhere? A newby, all help appreciated. Published by: datamarc
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KEEL RECONDITIONING part IMiscellaneous - - April 18, 2011I just finished refurbishing the keel on my 1979 V25. Started by having the keel sandblasted by a local shop (charged me $60.00). I made a chain sling, using large shackles on the ends, to make moving it around easy (see picture). Next step, as soon ...
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KEEL RECONDITIONING part IIMiscellaneous - - April 18, 2011More pictures from part I Published by: THE CUSCUS
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Rudder LinkageMiscellaneous - - January 19, 2011Never liked the idea that the two rudders where tied together by a bolt through a 1" pipe with no bearing surface or adjustment. Picked up a couple of Tie Rod End Bearings from northern tool - "http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_23631_236...
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Bilge PumpMiscellaneous - - May 1, 2010When we bought Just Nuisance there was an uninstalled bilge pump. I bought an above waterline thru hull from West Marine and some plumbing supplies from Home Depot. When the bilge is not in use the safety valve is closed preventing any water from bac...
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Propeller GuardMiscellaneous - - March 1, 2010My original rudder had some huge gouges in it from the prop hitting it. That was the main reason I installed this prop guard, to protect my new Idasailer HDPE rudder. Some people make these out of a strip of aluminum or stainless, this one is made ou...
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Inexpensive/Easy Laz FloorMiscellaneous - - February 9, 2010When I first got my boat I really didn't like putting stuff in the laz right on the bottom of the hull. I have since replaced this with a wood floor, but it did work pretty good. I thought I'd pass it on, in case anyone might be interested. It's real...
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Cockpit and motorwell drain plumbingMiscellaneous - - February 5, 2010I replaced the original clear plastic tubing that provided drainage for the cockpit and motorwell. I used sched 40 PVC, and ran it as close to the walls as possible to get it up and out of the way. I also connected the discharge of my bilge pump to i...
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Furler support for traileringMiscellaneous - - January 20, 2010I made this simple support for the furler from scrap steel. It mounts off the bolts (slightly longer ones required) that go through the bottom of the mast and the mast/pulpit rail fitting used when trailering. It also prevents the mast from trying to...
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Christmas ModMiscellaneous - - December 7, 2009I understand this is not your typical "mod", but I thought I would share it with you anyway in hopes of promoting "Mac Pride" (NOT McPride....no infringement lawsuits please.) Here are a couple of gift ideas you can use this Holiday Season. The beaut...
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Furler Support while traileringMiscellaneous - - December 5, 2009After driving about 500 miles with my boat hook pole straining to hold up my furler, I came up with this furler support boom. Cost $0. I used pvc and joint epoxy materials left over from building my house. I can put the support into the tow beast whi...
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Quasi Mac 33Miscellaneous - - January 1, 2009I thought I would post my ideas here as I do not have a picture hosting site. I moved the head forward as Duane wants it and fitted a nav station starboard aft of the table. Although, they could be swapped for a large head and small nav. The table is...
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Solar Panel Mounting BracketsMiscellaneous - - September 21, 2008We have a love for electrical gadgets and the environment. So when a special on a 120W solar panel come up - I snapped it up. But where to mount it? I got some stainless tubing bent and then welded and bolted onto the existing rear mast support. I fi...
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Bilge PumpsMiscellaneous - - July 22, 2008Having water in the bilge from time to time I decided to install a set of bilge pumps. I think actually one would need 5 pumps to get out the bilge water from all bilge compartments at once. However I decided that 3 pumps should be enough, one in the...
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Tiller TenderMiscellaneous - - July 14, 2008When I added this tiller tender a bunch of work was taken away from my sailing duties. I still stand watch at all times but having the ability to move about the boat for short quick task sure makes it a lot more fun. Being tied to the tiller is a pai...
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Bow boarding ladderMiscellaneous - - January 26, 2008Here are some pictures of my boarding ladder, this hangs on the side at the bow and takes adult weight quite easily it stows on the rail and is out of the way perfect for on the beach work I bought this from Kmart for around $50 AUD, well worth it Pu...
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another Auto-VentMiscellaneous - - December 13, 2007Here is another version of ballast tank vent for the 26X late model with vent under the vee berth. I couldn't find the Ace hardware type featured previously on this site but found a "flapper" valve in PVC plastic at a local farmer's supply that looke...
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HandrailMiscellaneous - - November 25, 2007Handrail it is easier to get in the boat from the water using the ladder. Published by: tico
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Mast Raising Pole as Furler Support when TraileringMiscellaneous - - October 18, 2007When looking at the mast raising pole recently, it occurred to me that by adding a few eye bolts, I could make it do double duty as a very nice support pole for the roller furler when trailering. I put an 8" 5/16 eye bolt at the end which mounts to t...
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26X CB to daggerboard conversionMiscellaneous - - September 3, 2007Here are a few pictures of my CB modification. Details are in the Modification Forum under Swing Keel mod (Skeg maybe?) on page 4 Published by: Gerald Gordon
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26X CB to daggerboard conversionMiscellaneous - - September 3, 2007
Here are a few pictures of my CB modification. Details are in the Modification Forum under Swing Keel mod (Skeg maybe?) on page 4 Published by: Gerald Gordon
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Dock WhipMiscellaneous - - July 25, 2007Where my 26M is docked there's only three mooring points. I got tired of having the starboard stern constantly bumping and rubbing the floating dock. Dock whips can be purchased for lots of money, so I invented my own. It's ugly but it works. 1 1/2" ...
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Additional new sectionMiscellaneous - - July 20, 2007
I believe many Mac owner are frustrated with Mac's slow speed. so some of the owners must have up-graded on improving speed with additional battery operating mtor as a auxiliary power while sailing. I would like to know more about their improving on ...
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mac19 bilge pumpsMiscellaneous - - July 1, 2007I installed 2 automatic bilge pumps in the rear of the aft birth one on each side of the water ballast tank I glued 1/2" plastic blocks on each 2 per side should have used 1 per side bigger blocks, I attached the bilge pumps & float switches to an al...
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Fender /rope holdersMiscellaneous - - June 16, 2007Wanted four fender holders but now reckon I need two more, at $70+ a pop decided to make my own but incorporated a rope/? holder on it as well, This has worked really well for keeping mooring ropes tidy. The only problem is they stick out a bit and a...
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Dingy & Kayak Anchor SystemMiscellaneous - - March 16, 2007Problem: While snorkeling, diving, swimming etc., it is good to know that your transportation stays around, e.g. your dingy or kayaks. Commercial packaged systems commonly have poor quality components or unsuitable sizing of anchors, ropes, and float...