Listings
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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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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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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...
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Clean Vinyl Cockpit CushionsExterior - Cushions (MacGregor 19) - August 2, 2021My vinyl cockpit cushions wouldn’t come clean with soap & water, so I took a chance and tried using soft scrub on a foam disc polisher. Aside from being messy, this was a quick easy way to make the cushions look like new.
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Rubrail RehabExterior - Rubrail (MacGregor 19) - July 25, 2021My rubrail was trashed—it was stiff, brittle, crazed, stained white where compound/wax had gotten on it and had a couple of big chunks missing. I was planning on replacing it, but it seems like a huge job so I was procrastinating… I tried some aceton...
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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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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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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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Teak treads on the swim ladderExterior - - December 1, 2019The standard swim ladder is not very comfortable to use. So I added teak treads when I realized that such a thing were readily available, perfectly shaped below to fit onto the stainless steel tubes. Cost: $7 plus 4 SS screws and som 3M 5200 (or simi...
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Companion Way Hinged DoorsExterior - - June 17, 2018So, so, SO tired of moving that big huge piece of plastic around with nowhere to stow it. Ever. Tried cutting plexiglass so it would be flat and slide under the aft bunk, but then it'd just get scratched up. So, hinged doors it is. They over lap in a...
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HELP WITH 1990 MACGREGOR 26 SXExterior - - June 2, 2018R Butch Sparks R Butch Sparks I have a 1990 macgregor 26sx sailboat swing keel, the keel came off, I saved the keel but the pivot pin is gone. Can't figure out how the pin stays up in the slots in the keel well. I can see the head of a bolt at the to...
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Solar Panel Mount with outboard / grill mounts.Exterior - - April 8, 2018Reinforced my Solar Panel as well as built mounting brackets for my outboard and grill. Published by: eodjedi
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daggerboard sourcingExterior - - September 11, 2017
Hello, A new european member, I need a new daggerboard,as mine just sunk. Anybody got one or has a hint to source one in Europe or in the USA ? Thanks a lot Published by: Patrice FERRAULT
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Cockpit Under Seat ClosureExterior - - March 26, 2016Every time I drop something in the cockpit, it rolls right under the seat into the motor well and then out the drain or just straight out into the water if we are speeding up from a standstill. So we bought some starboard and put it across under the ...
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Sliding Hatch RepairExterior - - February 13, 2016When we first bought the boat when you pushed the hatch forward the noise was unbearable so after reading we put the soft part of the velcro on the hatch itself. We did this by using superglue on the velcro. We had one person stand in the boat and pu...
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lateral slide for motor bracket, on mac 26x or mac 26m, especialy !Exterior - - July 31, 2015
Hi Has anybody looked at a sliding motor bracket, to get the motor out of the way , especially with the narrow 26m stern access. It could require pushing it out which would make the rudders for of the motor foot. Could be a good idea for steering. I ...
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become a trimaranExterior - - July 22, 2015
We are in the process of buying a 26x. We were not pleased with the changes maid for the M. The first mod i will make is to carry my beach cats . We carry my 2 prindle 16 cats hulls by hand and they are not very heavy. They could have been simply att...
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hardtopExterior - - July 18, 2015
the plastic Windows of my sprayhood was grey very fast after cleaning so i made an hardtop instead . i used Windows and aluframes from another boat and mounted them on a plywoodframe and made roof of plywood covered With a thin layer of fiberglass . ...
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Swim PlatformExterior - - July 13, 2015Swim Platform. I have finished my removable swim platform that provides an excellent seat off the stern. Removed the ladder and the upper guide for the rudder line. Installed a stainless steel plate with two tubes that attaches to the perimeter edge ...
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Bottom Prep and PaintExterior - - June 29, 2015We used paint stripper then went over the whole bottom with 80 grit sandpaper, then light pressure washing and then wiped down with solvent fiberglass wash. We then patched all the deep scratches and other messed up places with west epoxy. Used 4 coa...
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Hull ModificationsExterior - - January 4, 2015Thinking how to improve and modernize the look of this otherwise brilliant boat... Published by: theother
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Mac Trawler towerExterior - - November 7, 2014This is the tower I made for my X trawler. It serves as an antenna mast, nav (steaming) light mount and has two chrome horns mounted between the verticals. It also has flag mounts. It is aproximately 5' tall. Published by: capncarp
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Propane PodsExterior - - September 1, 2014
I found this mod on this forum. Looks great and works nice. Pods can be easily reached while underway. Published by: MajesticNY
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Mast Crutch Mount FixExterior - - August 16, 2014Not really a mod but........ Here is my fix for a weakness in the early mast crutch lower mount for Macs with the crutch mount back by the motor. The stress from this system cracked the fiberglass. I fabricated a secondary support which helped but th...
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SprayShield revisedExterior - - June 18, 2014As stated in previous mod pg. I grabbed an Irwin 31's bridged traveller on Ebay. I still wanted a spray shield & thought up this 3/8's lexan wind / spray shield: its roughly 55"L X 26" W & hand curved top Published by: Gazmn
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Stern Dinghy Boarding RampExterior - - March 17, 2014For safer dinghy access, I fabbed a walkway overlay out of 16 gauge stainless with some aggressive grit 3M non-skid tape. It bolts to the boarding ladder with wing nuts and is only installed when using the dinghy. It is supported by a stainless tube ...
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No More Pink Windows!!Exterior - - January 13, 2014New windows from Ruddercraft....they fit almost perfectly. I was told that the windows for a 22 are the rear windows for a 25, in case anyone needs to order new ones. There is a ton of silicone sealing these windows, so be careful when scraping off t...
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Fixing Leak into Bilge/CabinExterior - - November 11, 2013I was getting gallons of water in the bilge while on the trailer and in the water for months and kept trying to fix the wrong locations. During a heavy rainfall, I started looking and finally found the culprit in the motor well hidden behind the rear...
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Hatch slideExterior - - October 25, 2013I, like others, hated the sound of gelcoat sliding on gelcoat as the hatch was opened and closed. Removed hatch by removing the plastic strip above the starboard side of the hatch (port would have been better for access to nuts and bolts but starboar...
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Bow HammockExterior - - September 24, 2013A Hammock was high on the list of requests this summer and did not disappoint the crew. I found this Double Size Nylon Camping Hammock on Ebay for a great price. 4 point support provides adjustments at both ends vertically Point 1 - Hammock Hook led ...
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MacGregor 26 D&S Pop Top CoverExterior - - September 6, 2013The other day I measured the Pop Top Cover for my MacGregor 26D. I believe this fits the Mac 26S as well. Here is a quick drawing I made with the measurements. It does not include the placement of the snaps. I think each boat is a bit different. (My ...
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Restoring Shine to Black StripesExterior - - July 26, 2013The dull black stripes dated the boat. Saw Eric's results and had to try for myself. I could not image an easier, better looking result than using this stuff. Application is similar to wiping surface with 5 coats using a wet sponge. I did not sand pr...
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Ballast tank valveExterior - - May 12, 2013Had to replace the ballast tank valve, the handle had rotted away. This Valderra valve has a cable for remote operation. No more leaning over the transom, I can easily control the valve from the comfort of the helm. Not totally thrilled with the cabl...
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Boarding rampExterior - - April 20, 2013Boarding ramp for dock and dinghy access. Published by: mdeane
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Mast cap and antennaExterior - - April 13, 2013Mast cap made from 3 layers of Walmart cutting board, 5200 and screwed together. 2 layers inside mast. New Shakespear antenna, 3 foot, built in windlass. I used a fish tape to run cable thru mast, grommets out side top and bottom. For towing, I remov...
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Center Board hangerExterior - - April 10, 2013I dropped the swing keel out of my new to me X for a rope replacement, and found that the board was about to fall out. The original hanger was severely rotted, and the hole in the fiberglass was egg shaped. Having seen all the center board mods, and ...
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Venture emblemsExterior - - February 24, 2013Emblems from a Chevy mini van. Published by: THE CUSCUS
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Solar panel on factory mast supportExterior - - December 29, 201250w solar panel mounted on mast support. Two flat tab brackets welded to frame with bolts using nylocks. This allows panel to be tilted up or down if required i.e. for storage. Panel cannot be hit when mast raising or lowering. Does not interfere wit...
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Extra seats on factory stern railsExterior - - December 29, 2012No need to spend big $$ and the hassle of replacing factory stern rails just to add seats. Small stainless angle brackets welded to factory rails. Seats cut from HDPE plastic. All fabrication done in place with nothing needed to be removed or shifted...
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Helm seat cushionExterior - - December 29, 2012Seat cushion made from left over squab material used for packaging when boat was shipped new. Domed for quick fitting & release. Decent foam inside makes for a more comfortable day at the helm. Published by: Buell_S1W
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Companionway ScreenExterior - - November 23, 2012For those warmer nights sleeping on the Mac. Used a couple of sheets of birch plywood, some aluminum screen, and some copper gimp tacks. Make a pattern from cardboard, tracing around the factory companionway cover, and adjust to fit nicely in the slo...
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Genoa tracksExterior - - August 29, 2012Installed 1-1/4 T-tracks and Garhauer genoa blocks. Bolted tracks through deck drilling oversize holes, filling with epoxy, and when hard, re-drilling to size. Used 3M 5200 for caulking. Holes remained right above the internal longitudinal ceiling mo...
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Swivel camsExterior - - August 29, 2012This is one of my most useful mods: these Ronstar swivel cams have an ss-lined padeye and dual cams and are used to tension the jib sheet. They greatly facilitate single-handed operation of the sheets, which can be pulled and tightened from the oppos...
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Swim ladder and BBQ grill standExterior - - August 7, 2012Purchased 3-step and 4-step ladders from West Marine. Using stainless steel rods and bolts, added 2 steps to the 4-step ladder making 6-steps. Secured rail bases from below (see photo); made weep holes. The now 6-step ladder is great for swimming (Ad...
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Swim ladder and BBQ grill stand - Pt 2Exterior - - August 7, 2012See "Swim ladder and BBQ grill stand" for ladder detail. Also wanted to post photo of rail bases doubling for the BBQ grill support. Again, this is on both starboard and port, so you can use the grill where it would be most convenient. Published by: ...
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Grilling Counter SpaceExterior - - July 29, 2012Here is my take on a counter/cutting board for the stern rail. I have the stern seat rails to attach the board and grill to. The cutting board has a rim on three sides. The main board is cherry, finished with Belhem (brand) "salad bowl" finish so I c...
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Motorwell CoverExterior - - June 1, 2012Got tired of rodding out motorwell drain so scribed out a 1/4 inch thick plexiglass cover with 1/8 inch drainholes. Drilled out 1 inch fingerhole with plug for easy removal. As the well is tapered inward I sized the cover so it is cradled about 1 inc...