Brand New 2001 26X

[Tom F.]

Spent alot of time and money in the off season fixing up the old 26x when I dediced to restore it rather than buying a new 26M. Replaced the 50HP Honda with a 70HP Yamaha, new main and jib, sail covers, closed cell cockpit cushions, rear gate valve, cleats, fuse box, batteries, interior rugs, bow light, bottom paint, and cleaner waxed everything that is flat and white. I was surprised that my favorite upgrade was the (expensive) cushions, they definitely make the original ones appear even crappier than I thought they were.

[Divecoz]

Cushions?? Did you buy them already made or make them yourself?
OK Ya Slacker! Pictures : )
Batteries? Which way did you choose to go on this one? Wet, Glass Mat ,Gell?
Lights? LEDs?
Sounds like money and time well spent.. Though I love my It too would need to have a lot.. of repairs for me to ever consider replacing it..

[Tom F.]

I got the cushions from http://shop.macgregorowners.com/detail- ... ?group=187. They are the sunsure fabric cover over the closed foam. They only list the 26M on the site but since they did mine, they have the 26X pattern so you would just need to contact them. The batteries are just the run of the mill lead/acid deep cycly from West Marine. I'll work on the pictures.

[DaveB]

Tom,
Great to see another MacX owner doing a refit. I have done most of mine includeing a Tandem Trailer,headsail,wireing,electronics with sterio,Batteries, elect.panel,foam cushions below deck,head,water fixures,standing rigging, refig. and much more. I bought all window replacements and rub rail but have not installed yet.
I have been cking out Outboard motors to replace my Honda 50 (runs great) for more HP for my loaded Mac.
Have you done any GPS speed tests on your 70hp Yamaha yet? I normally cruise at 5.5 knots/6.2 mph at 2500 rpms in the Honda 50 but would like to get up sometimes to around 16 knots at 3/4 throttle or about 4800 rpm's. The Yamaha 70 is good for 5300-6300 rpm range and all the tests I see is on a Bennington Pontoon that weighs 2194 empty and 3090 loaded.
I may have to op for the 90 hp Suzuki but don't like the extra weight and width as I would need to change boarding ladder.
I have used 1-1/2 closed cell foam on my previous Compac 19 cocpit and would rather have it 1 inch.
Dave

Spent alot of time and money in the off season fixing up the old 26x when I dediced to restore it rather than buying a new 26M. Replaced the 50HP Honda with a 70HP Yamaha, new main and jib, sail covers, closed cell cockpit cushions, rear gate valve, cleats, fuse box, batteries, interior rugs, bow light, bottom paint, and cleaner waxed everything that is flat and white. I was surprised that my favorite upgrade was the (expensive) cushions, they definitely make the original ones appear even crappier than I thought they were.

[rtrinkle]

Great job on the refit... We too have an 01 . We spent most of the winter doing the same.. We have yet to do the cockpit cushions,, that will probably be over the winter.. I'll definitely check out that website,, were they a good price?

Would love to hear the speed/RPS results on the new engine. We are still using a 50 HP Suzuki.

[bartmac]

Seeing this thread started me thinking....well actually listing what we've done and very quickly I realised we rebuilt our 2000 26X AND beautified,simplified,reconditioned BUT I enjoyed it as much as the infrequent sailing we've done this last 12 months.We see our 26X as a floating caravan which can also go places without the use of fuel and hopefully we will get lots of use out of our improved boat.One thing though it all adds up pretty quickly money wise

[Tom F.]

The cushions were ~$550 for three sitting units but I did not get the backrests. I have not measured the speed yet with a GPS because I left it at another house and won't have it back for about three weeks. Seat of the pants tells me that the top speed is 23-25 mph with a relatively lightly equipped interior.

[Crikey]

You should now paint the hull blue. It will sail faster!

[Ixneigh]

Im going awlgrip the upper part of my M hull blue so no matter what color is faster, i will have it covered!

[Don T]

Hello,
I guess I've been refitting my X for the last 16 years. Don't think a year goes by I don't rework or modify something.

This year it's new LPT-12 tanks, down haul and lazyjacks, pull handle on the hatch, shore power, new Trojan batteries, auto helm (hoping for that one) and possibly a new GPS. Only have 3 weeks before we head to the San Juan Islands so I'm hitting it heavy.

[Divecoz]

With my Merc 50 EFI BF..... I break 70 MPH....... OK OK When towed behind my truck

OK but speed under power is only a matter of $$$$
I am going to, as time permits.. Begin accumulating ALL the advice from DaveB Highlander and few others on what has acutally made / allowed.. these boats to Point better and Sail faster.. I ......find its really hard to get better at just about anything.. doing it alone..Dave has his boat pointing so as to give fits to "real" ... sailboaters