Mods
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Hatchway DoorsCockpit - (MacGregor 26X) - August 17, 2020As other owners have done, I've replaced the large white door that came with our '02 X. 3/4" plywood with 6 layers of spar urethane (the first 3 thinned 50% for absorption) and an oak piece for the overlap. Still need an inside latch or two when I fi...
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Mac 26X Hatchway ScreensVentilation - (MacGregor 26X) - August 15, 2020Made some ventilation/bug hatchway screens. I believe this material is used for making RV screen porches. Also looks similar to what is sold at Home Depot or Lowe's in garden section for greenhouses. (Which all means I don't remember who gave it to m...
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Helm Seat FendersStorage - (MacGregor 26X) - August 12, 2020Liked this mod another owner had done so copied it with a bit different attachment idea. Drilled the holes, tapped in and glued those plugs used in drywall. If the cup hanger hooks ever fail due to the thin plastic here I'll glue on some treated wood...
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3D Printed West Marine Panel odElectrical - (MacGregor 26X) - August 7, 2020I have three West Marine power panels in my 26x right now. I had only one small 4-switch one initially, but my system and needs have grown with my recent revising of the electrical system. I have an issue with these simple and inexpensive panels. Old...
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Low cost option to repair Nicro Marine Solar VentsVentilation - Nicro Solar Vent (MacGregor 26X) - July 20, 2020Like many people, I have Nicro Solar vents on my boat and after 4-5 yrs they fail. As they run basically 24x7, that's not unexpected. Nicro used to sell an overhaul kit with new batter/motor but no longer offer that and suggest that you just buy a ne...
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Lines Aft with SpinLock XAS Clutch & ViadanaUsa Deck OrganizersRigging - Lines Led Aft (MacGregor 26X) - July 6, 2020I've finally run my lines aft to the cockpit using SpinLock XAS Roap clutches and Viadana deck organizers. I'm also using the BWYacth mast deck plate. I picked up the Rope Clutches on sale over the past yr and recently came across the Viadana sailing...
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Teak Hatch TracksCockpit - (MacGregor 26X) - June 18, 2020Always hated the stock tracks. Finally realized that you can get to the 'hidden' nuts by removing the bolts to the head so that you can flex the fiberglass enough to access them.
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Folding Cockpit TableCockpit - (MacGregor 26X) - April 21, 2020Laminated hinged cockpit table.Hope you enjoy the mod.
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Extension of V berth 26XBerths - (MacGregor 26X) - April 17, 2020Extension of “V” Berth and additional storage
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Galley Mods 26XGalley - (MacGregor 26X) - April 17, 2020I removed the original galley storage and replaced with three sliding draws, a cutlery draw and a large cupboard door, The mod created much more storage space with easier access, hope you like the mod
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Plate and Cup StorageGalley - (MacGregor 26X) - April 14, 2020Plate and cup storage unit located above galley table in a 26X
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Electrical outlet near the dinetteElectrical - (MacGregor 26X) - December 1, 2019A power outlet in the corner headroom/aft dinett seat/hull for mobile phone and everything else you might use while sitting by the dinett. Published by: MS Classifieds
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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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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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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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Light in the headroomLighting - - December 1, 2019I placed it over the hole closed by the plate hiding the winch bolts. The main problem here was to route the wiring to the panel. Just now there is no separat switch besides that at the light itself. Published by: MS Classifieds
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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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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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Fire extinguisherSafety - - December 1, 2019A fire extinguisher found a good place between the headrom and the companionway. I placed it intentionally slightly off center: Something else will find its place there too. May be the winch handle with a better holder than the current quick-and-dirt...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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"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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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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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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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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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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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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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...