M mast cabels and tank hdwr.

[Steve M]

One more time... how can I get through the foam in the mast of the "M"?

Also, M owners. Check your gas tank strap mounting brackets (4 per tank)
They are Cheap steel and will rust and disscolor the cockpit floor. I replaced them with SS and new straps with plastic buckles.

[richandlori]

Steve,

About two weeks ago, I took delivery of a new 2004 26M from an individual that used it twice. And I went out and looked and I don't have ANY fuel tank strap hold downs my tanks are just sitting there under the seats waiting to slide around, so maybe they were installed aftermarket by the dealer.

On the topic of running wire up the mast (for antenna or such), I was jsut reading the specs and it says that the mast is foam filled, but that there is a tube incerted just for that purpose, so you might want to check it out. That would sure save you a ton of headache!

Regards

[Paul S]

Steve,

About two weeks ago, I took delivery of a new 2004 26M from an individual that used it twice. And I went out and looked and I don't have ANY fuel tank strap hold downs my tanks are just sitting there under the seats waiting to slide around, so maybe they were installed aftermarket by the dealer.

On the topic of running wire up the mast (for antenna or such), I was jsut reading the specs and it says that the mast is foam filled, but that there is a tube incerted just for that purpose, so you might want to check it out. That would sure save you a ton of headache!

Regards

hehe ... you still believe there is a channel in the mast....

Nope.. Never had it ....never will...

For the tanks..I used stainless steel block hangers from west. $5 Each. Bent them out and they work fine. You might want to think about 90 degree angle adapters for the tanks (if you have 12 gallons tanks). Keeps the tank line from hitting the back of your legs.

Click image to enlarge.



Check out my www site below to stuff I have done.

Easiest way to have the wires run in the mast is to have the dealer do it. It it not super hard..but not fun.

Paul

[richandlori]

Well damit that erks me that there isn't a tube in the 26M mast for running wires! How the heck am I going to get my VHF radio antenna up there?

Yikes, so much for that plan.

Rich

[richandlori]

Paul,

I just looked through your website and noticed that you have the same Honda 50Hp that I have on my 2004 26M. I have yet to get it out on the water (only had it for two weeks) and am dying to know what type of crusing and top speeds you are able to hit.

One more question. I noticed that you had and then replaced the tan cockpit cushions that you can get from MacGregor as an option with some blue ones. I was looking at ordering the optional cockpit cushins from Mac. Did you not like them for some reason? Or did you jsut want the Blue ones instead?

Regards

Rich

[TampaMac]

testing one two three

[Frank C]

Well damit that erks me that there isn't a tube in the 26M mast for running wires! How the heck am I going to get my VHF radio antenna up there? .... Yikes, so much for that plan.

FWIW, there's valid debate about the benefits vs. demerits of antenna atop the mast. I suppose if you are frequently 40 miles offshore, you may want that height. However, that cable and antenna represent fairly significant weight aloft, not good for heeling. An antenna on the aft quarter is probably adequate for inshore communications, and the wiring runs are much easier. Just another opinion, YMMV.

[Steve M]

Paul,
Like the mast mods u did. Where did u get the mast-top cap?
And how did u gauge out the foam in the mast?
The SS brackets look good. However in a capsize I think that the tanks will go floating by...

Thanks for the pix.

Steve

[Moe]

Not trying to hijack Steve's thread here, but after digging out two feet of birds nests (toilet snake worked great) from our new to us X's mast, I have to ask... do MacGregors not come with a mast cap?

--
Moe

[Paul S]

Well damit that erks me that there isn't a tube in the 26M mast for running wires! How the heck am I going to get my VHF radio antenna up there?

Yikes, so much for that plan.

Rich

What my dealer's guy did (at my house) was take a piece of PVC and sharpen the end of it , like a screw, and ram it down, turn to take some foam out,remove pvc, clean tip, repeat..lots of times.

There might be an easier way. But that is how he did it on mine.

Of course, you have to take the mast off the boat all together, remove all the standing rigging, remove all the hardware off the mast, mast cap(if one) and mast base.

Fun fun fun. I ensured it was in my sales contract that it was to be done by the dealer before delivery (It wasn't) so they came down and did it.

Paul

[Paul S]

Paul,

I just looked through your website and noticed that you have the same Honda 50Hp that I have on my 2004 26M. I have yet to get it out on the water (only had it for two weeks) and am dying to know what type of crusing and top speeds you are able to hit.

One more question. I noticed that you had and then replaced the tan cockpit cushions that you can get from MacGregor as an option with some blue ones. I was looking at ordering the optional cockpit cushins from Mac. Did you not like them for some reason? Or did you jsut want the Blue ones instead?

Regards

Rich

With the boat fully loaded, I was able to get 11+ mph (in choppy water)with the honda (Only had it out a few times) I expect a bit more in calmer water. When we were on our dealer's boat (with far less gear and flat seas) we got 17+. Strip it down and you should get more esp without a ballast.

The Mac cushions are crap IMO. If they get wet, they stay wet, after a while they offer little cushion. We used them on our dealers boat (7 nights) and were tired of them in no time. Better than nothing..but not worth the $ IMO. I ended up having them custom made out of sunbrella and closed cell foam. Cost a whole lot more than the factory ones..but are far better. Worth it IMO.

Paul

[Paul S]

Well damit that erks me that there isn't a tube in the 26M mast for running wires! How the heck am I going to get my VHF radio antenna up there? .... Yikes, so much for that plan.

FWIW, there's valid debate about the benefits vs. demerits of antenna atop the mast. I suppose if you are frequently 40 miles offshore, you may want that height. However, that cable and antenna represent fairly significant weight aloft, not good for heeling. An antenna on the aft quarter is probably adequate for inshore communications, and the wiring runs are much easier. Just another opinion, YMMV.

Good point. I use our hand held 99.999% of the time. I only have the mast top for when the handheld batteries crap out or for an SOS with the SOS button (DSC).

Paul

[Paul S]

Paul,
Like the mast mods u did. Where did u get the mast-top cap?
And how did u gauge out the foam in the mast?
The SS brackets look good. However in a capsize I think that the tanks will go floating by...

Thanks for the pix.

Steve

The mast cap came with the boat (earlier Ms did not have one). If the boat turtles...I think we would have other serious worries than the gas tanks coming loose If it gets knocked down, it should stay in place...not that I would ever want to try that

Paul

[Tom Spohn]

Moe,
Early X's came with a cast aluminum cap. Later ones did not. I was able to get a used one that had been misdrilled from the dealer. Repaired it and mounted a Davis Anchor light directly to the cap. Worked very well.

Now I have an M that has no wire channel and I am still contemplating what to do. I don't need a mast head antenna, but really did like the anchor light I had on the X.

[Paul S]

Not trying to hijack Steve's thread here, but after digging out two feet of birds nests (toilet snake worked great) from our new to us X's mast, I have to ask... do MacGregors not come with a mast cap?

--
Moe

I left the cap off the mast...and birds were taking the foam OUT of the mast. I assume for nests. I thought they were building a nest IN the mast..but they didn't . I did think about leaving the cap off and maybe they would create a channel in the foam for me