Listings
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A ladder I builtTrailer - (MacGregor 26X) - October 29, 2025I have a dual axle aluminum trailer. It did not come with a ladder so I made one for the X. It works well for me to climb up it on the rungs. I am 240 lbs and they do not flex or sag. Hope this gives y'all ideas.
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Sunshade CoverStorage - (MacGregor 26X) - September 6, 2025My 2000 26X is beside my house when not in inside winter storage or in the water. For protection from UV, bird droppings, insect spots I use a 70% agricultural sunshade (FarmTek.com). Easy to deploy and no need to build a frame to support (I do use t...
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Companionway ScreenVentilation - (MacGregor 26X) - August 28, 2025The companionway washboard in my 26X was cumbersome to use and store. I use it for transport and storage (when not aboard) only. When cruising, it stays in the truck. I fabricated a roll-up screen/rain cover using HD (dog resistant) screen and 100mil...
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Head - urine divertingHead - (MacGregor 26X) - August 28, 2025My 26X had the typical liquid chemical toilet which was cumbersome to use and embarrassing to carry down the dock at marina. Tried using a 5-gal bucket with kitty litter but the smell was an issue. I built a 'urine diverting' head to reduce smell whi...
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Galley with Removeable CooktopGalley - (MacGregor 26X) - August 22, 2025My 26X recent galley remod combines several features I have seen posted by others, plus a cooktop insert that fits in the sink. I wanted safe propane below deck, and this scheme enables any leaking propane to exit the boat thru the sink drain and thr...
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Dinette table StorageStorage - (MacGregor 26X) - August 19, 2025I never sleep on the dinette table location in my 26X so I enlarged the dinette table and created some space for storage (I missed a nav station drawer). The table is 38.5" (fore/aft) x 34.5" (port/starboard) x 2.38" deep. The original table is 1.125...
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7-gallon Reservoir locationWater Systems - (MacGregor 26X) - August 19, 2025The Aquatainer 7-gallon fits perfectly in the 26X battery box location on port side behind galley with no trimming required. Held in place with HDPE cage. Suction hose with strainer (inside container) fits thru the vent with a 90 deg fitting. Pump (1...
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Drawer installationHead - (MacGregor 26X) - August 19, 2025A Sterilite drawer fits perfectly above the sink in my 26X head. It requires a little trimming on the back side for clearance, but no trimming of the drawer was required. Published by: Closehaul
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Drink Holder + 12VDCCockpit - (MacGregor 26X) - August 19, 2025Drink holder model #54210300 from ssicustomplastics.com fits nicely in my 26X helm pedestal. I use it more to hold my VHF handheld radio than drinks. Added a 12VDC receptacle in the top of the holder which is a dry location. Convenient location to pl...
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Mast/Furler Transport ConfigurationTrailer - (MacGregor 26X) - August 17, 2025I have a 2000 26X with mast crutch in the steering pedestal. For long distance trailering I remove the spreaders and spiral wrap all the stays, shrouds, halyards, etc., to the mast. Also, I added a U-bolt to the top of mast (I also use this attachmen...
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HD Ratchet (pull forward) strapsTrailer - (MacGregor 26X) - August 17, 2025The 'Mac Bump' process never worked well with anti-skid brakes to bounce the boat forward on the trailer. I use two (2) HD rachet straps (2"x27' ~$12 each) with the rachet bolted to front of trailer and the other end of strap attached to two eyebolts...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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3D Printed Mast CapElectrical - mast cap (MacGregor 26X) - April 4, 2022I needed a way to mount my new VHF antenna, wind indicator and anchor light. So I decided I would design and print one up. It's made from PETG that's pretty strong and UV resistance. I over sized it to make it strong as possible. Everything is screwe...
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Companionway Latch Mod for Mac26XSafety - Interior (MacGregor 26X) - September 19, 2021Hi All While most Mac26X come with an External Companionway hatch to secure the cabin from the outside there was nothing provided to secure it from the interior when one is living aboard while cruising. This bothered us a bit… So we decided to modify...
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Interior Hatch Handles Mod for Mac26XInterior - Companionway (MacGregor 26X) - September 19, 2021Hi All The companionway sliding hatch exterior handle has two 1/4-20 threaded rods protrude into the interior by several inches. There was no interior handle to open the sliding hatch from the interior other than the two threaded rods. This was provi...
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Cruising Storage for a Mac26XStorage - (MacGregor 26X) - September 5, 2021Hi All In preparation for our anticipated cruising aboard our Mac26X the Admiral and I decided we needed to organize our storage needs. The Photo is the “General Layout” of our storage bins in the aft berth We used the Hefty Brand clear(ish) sided st...
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Air Conditioning Mod for Mac26XInterior - Air Conditioning (MacGregor 26X) - September 5, 2021Hi All This is our Air Conditioning Mod for a Mac26X. We took a 6000 BTU 115 VAC portable single exhaust tube room A/C unit and installed it in our Mac26X just aft of the battery box next to the Galley. We looked at several different options but deci...
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Mac26x - New Smoke & CO Detector ModSafety - Smoke detector (MacGregor 26X) - August 16, 2021We added a permanent location for our new Smoke & CO detector. Located it on the interior aft port wall. The same side as the galley, batteries, VHF radio, intermediate and control switch box. It will also be above the A/C unit once that installa...
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Mac26X Wall Mounted/Removable Battery ChargerElectrical - Battery Charger (MacGregor 26X) - July 29, 2021Hi All A somewhat recent addition to our DC Electrical System Mod is this compact digital Battery Charger to replace our older “Godzilla” Start/Charger which is great and all but is 8x the volume! Yes there may be smaller ones out there but this suit...
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Mac26X DC Electrical System ModificationElectrical - DC Electrical (MacGregor 26X) - July 27, 2021We were asked to post what we accomplished for our modification of Over Easy’s Mac26X DC Electrical system to this section of the forum. While the existing DC electrical was adequate and functional we wanted to upgrade Over Easy to a DUAL BATTERY SYS...
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Preemptive Bilge Pumps to a MAC26XSafety - Bilge pumps (MacGregor 26X) - July 23, 2021In preparations for our anticipated cruising of the Atlantic ICW we chose to Preemptively Add Bilge Pumps to Over Easy. Over Easy is a dry boat. We added the bilge pumps as a safety measure preemptively as they will allow us to proactively mitigate a...
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Mac26X Galley ModificationsGalley - Galley (MacGregor 26X) - July 23, 2021In preparation for our anticipated cruising the Atlantic ICW we modified the galley in Over Easy. A detailed description can be found at: Main site < Board index < MacGregorSailors Forum < Repairs and Modifications Under the title: Mac26X Ga...