Fixing to buy a 26X?

[ROAD Soldier]

Howdy I am currently living in Poquoson Virginia with my wife who I have seen only 1.5 years out of the past 9 due to my US Army responsibilities. How ever it looks like I will be at my latest station for awhile and maybe retire here since I can do that in one year if I want to so I am looking for something both me and my wife can do together so after researching many sailboats which is something we both like to do which usually isn’t the norm, I think the 26x will fulfill our needs.

I looked at about 6 so far and found one that might do it for me but I am a helicopter mechanic/Supervisor these days and now instructor for new mechanics and very good with anything mechanical Cars, Bikes, Snowmobiles Ect... but don’t have a lot of experience in Fiberglass and Marine Navigational equipment. So my questions are as follows pertaining one 26x I looked at

1. There is a older auto pilot on it called a Sport Pilot is that one any good and can you still get parts for it? Can it network into the new Raymarine E80?

2. The boat is ugly as sin, and needs a paint job can this be done on fiberglass without having to re gel coat the entire thing? Is there paint like durabak (liquid bedliner stuff) that I used to paint my Jeep Rubicon for 4wheeling in the Rocky Mountains that I found to be great for resisting scratches?

3. I found a crack in the inner liner on the floor 3 inches in front of the galley that is about a foot long and I am wondering if I just cut out that whole section and make an acces panel there for a bilidge pump or maybe a storage tray or something would there be enough room under there for any of those possibilities?

I haven’t bought the boat yet so will also take any advice you can give me on what particular areas I need to look at and possible costs for fixing them if it is a part replacement before I make an offer to the seller.

[Divecoz]

Boat should be some shade or tone of WHITE. . .if its any color it's been painted Oh Boy ! By Who? With What? Much easier cleaning and polishing than sanding fairing an painting.
Takes a heck of a lot to ruin the gel coat. Get a gallon of Mary Kate a brush a stick for the brush and hose, in a few hours she will look darn good again. Rent a big 90 degree 12" buffer an in another day she will be looking almost . . . . new. Bad Paint Job ??? just walk away unless its really a bargain.
Before you start cutting up the liner what year are you looking at?
I have an M not an X others will answer about whats under there .
Whats on the back / motor ? How old is it , how does the skeg look and the prop and under the cowl. Hows the steering and the controls? Smooth or NOT! Post Pictures if you can and Years and Model numbers.
Have you rolled out the sails ? Did the guy who let his boat go to hull on the other hand take good care of sails that will cost you $500 to $800 to replace. Leaks. . . . any water in bilge and the secret spot????

[c130king]

My boat looked like crap when I bought it. It sat in fresh water in Florida and was covered with mildew and bug "pods" of some sort...spider egg sacks I think. They were everywhere.

But it cleaned up real nice. And with a few hours of elbow grease and my orbital buffer it shines again.

But other than being dirty mine was in pretty good shape...sails, engine, rigging, interior, etc...

Good luck.

Jim

[ROAD Soldier]

The boat I can get cheap 12K or possible cheaper. The anti-foaling paint on bottom is severely faded but that is no big deal. What I do see on rest of boat is spot touch up paint in places don’t know why yet the salesmen is third party. However before buying I will be getting the owner to take me out on it. The boat is a 1997 with tandem axles trailer, and the engine is a Honda 50HP four stroke seems to be in good shape but will know more when I take it out. When I take the boat out on the water with the owner I will know more about the sails and rigging, which will be done before buying. The rudders are home made and maybe effective but ugly as sin but for 12k or less replacing those is no big deal along with a PVC home made back rack for holding the mast while trailering. What is this secret spot you are talking about? Electrically the boat is loaded. It is a far drive for me to the current location of the boat so cant get pictures right away and didn’t take any while I was there forgot my camera like an idiot.

[Jimnkathy]

My 26x looked bad when I bought it used too. When I got it home andwashed it I was feeling better about my purchase. It was starting to look white instead of a off grayish/white. It still didnt shine yet. It a couple of days with a buffer and good 3M marine fiberglas polishing compund and it looked pretty close to new.

My bottom paint was in bad shape it was starting to come off. I removed the rest anyway because I dont keep the boat in the water for more than a day at a time. You dont need it if you are trailering the boat to a place to sail. One thing I was upset with was when I removed the bottom paint I discover the boat had lots of blisters. Hopefully this spring I can get rid of most of them. Look for those and if the boat does have them you may be able to get the owner to lower the price. Blisters are repairable it takes some time and money and patience. Being a mechanic like yourself I think I can tackle it. Anyway your boat may not have blisters but definitely look for them.

As for rudders you can buy replacement rudders @ www.kelly-hansonmarine.com for under $500.

I dont regret buying my 26x at all. I cant wait to get it in the water again.


Good luck
Jim

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

The point of #3, regarding the crack in the floor, sounds like something was simply dropped on the floor. The care of the boat sounds lacking by the previous owner, and Im wondering -- really wondering-- if there are other issues--since its described as "ugly as sin" I think before making a deal on this boat, I would suggest having a professional look it over closely.

As an owner of a Mac-X, I recommend a MacX as a fun family boat, and very unique for its safety and versatility. There are many MacX listings, so that's why I wouldnt jump into a "problem" boat.

Here's hoping you make a good deal !

AND, thanks for serving and protecting our Freedom

[DaveB]

I just bought a Mac X 1997 without trailer for $7500, I just got a new aluminum Tandam for $2600. The sails are almost new but the gell coat will need a good scrubing to get ozidizing off (one side already done).
I will need to replace some lines and jamb cleats and add all the electronics and wireing I plan on.
One good thing about a used boat that has basics and getting it at a good price is all equipment will be new and of your likeing and still be under the book value.
Dave