That is an amazing transformation. It's hard to believe it's the same boat!

I think you just got a bad bulb. I don't think I've every had less than 15 years on a fuel line or bulb.

I'd look for something similar to the cable boot that came on the boat.
https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/h002-1v0.htm

Wow! That is amazing! I can't wait to see the next set of pics.

I'm glad you finally got it to the ramp. I hope you find just the right motor at a great price!

Thanks for the update. If the winds were around 28 knots when you snapped that picture then you've verified one of the data points on my polar. I don't do much downwind sailing so I've never had a chance to check that particular one. Personally, I've always suspected that some of the downwind polars...

Gotro wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 10:19 am Fast sailing in Texas south of Corpus Christi in the icw

That's significantly over hull speed. Tell us about how you were rigged and the conditions.

I'm on board with putting in a winch to make the job easier if that is what you want to do. Some folks have added a 2:1 segment to their 26X lifting line or their rudders. Even though I'll be starting my last trip through my 60's in a couple of months I've never felt that either were difficult to li...

Me too. In more than 50 years of boating, the only time I've fogged my engine was when I found myself anchored or occasionally sailing in an area where the perpetually moist air here has been cooled to its dew point. Does that mean I've been fogging my engine in the winter and not even realizing it?

'Fess up. You slowed that video down. A 26X swings at anchor waaaaay faster than that!

Hello Brian and welcome to the forum! You've found the best resource for understanding and maintaining your boat. You can consider us an interactive "Chilton (or Haynes if you prefer) Manual" for your journey. Russ has already pointed you to your owner's manual and the resources page and I...

JamesToBoot wrote: ↑Tue Nov 11, 2025 6:17 am But I hit a bit of a hiccop:

Yeah, but it was a cute one! Congratulations!
(And they are near the top of a very short list of things that are more fun than sailboats!)

Sailboatdata says that your centerboard weighs 50 pounds but if you weighed yours then we go with your numbers.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/macgregor-26s/

Correct me if I'm misstating your situation. When you had the board out you were able to see through the bottom of the boat and verify that there was nothing in it that could jam the rope. You replaced the rope/cable connection with a single rope. There are no signs of chafe or fraying on the new ro...

Correct me if I'm misunderstanding any of the following points: You can push the centerboard all the way into the slot so there is nothing stopping it on either side of the pivot. You have a little side-to-side "slop" (normal) but nothing significant fore-and-aft. You can't lift the board ...