mods/upgrades for 97 model 26x

[eaglerocknerd]

I just purchased a 1997 26X and from talking with the owner, I believe it to be fairly stock.

In a couple of the posts here in the MacGregor community I have seen people state that the older x's are fine once you make a few necessary upgrades.

Is there a FAQ or list linked anywhere on here that has the suggested upgrades?


Thanks.

[Whipsyjac]

Welcome,

If you click on Mods at the top of the home screen and then click browse mods you'll be able to sort them by boat model so you can look through all the mods.

When you're logged in you can also search the forum.

For liveability almost everyone redoes their galley. BWY recommends changing your spreader brackets from folding to fixed. I just did the BWY custom steering disconnect last year and it's amazing. Mast rake will make or break a day sailing, adjusting mast angle and rig tension can take a bit to figure out but the answers are all on the forum.

Once you've had a good look through the mods section you'll get an idea how stock your boat is, once you've sailed her a few times you'll begin to desire a few different mods.

Have fun,

Willy

[tlgibson97]

#1. Get a loos gage and make sure the rigging is tensioned.

I didn't know any better and took the persons word that it was properly tensioned. After retrieving to top of my mast ot of the water and $$$ later I now have a gage and check the tension yearly, sooner if it doesnt feel right.

[dlandersson]

If we knew where you were located, someone with a early could invite you over to see what they've got/done. Jus' sayn'

I just purchased a 1997 26X and from talking with the owner, I believe it to be fairly stock.

In a couple of the posts here in the MacGregor community I have seen people state that the older x's are fine once you make a few necessary upgrades.

Is there a FAQ or list linked anywhere on here that has the suggested upgrades?


Thanks.

[gabid]

Start enjoying the boat. It will come to you what modes you need or not.

[eaglerocknerd]

I'm in Virginia and I plan on sailing in Smith Mountain lake and Lake Moomaw, although I would be willing to drive to meet someone if there is a MacX owner within a 150 miles or so.

[dlandersson]

It's important to understand that "BOAT" means = "Break Out Another Thousand"

Start enjoying the boat. It will come to you what modes you need or not.

[JohnCFI]

Just make sure the first mods attend to your Admirals comfort requirements, that way you will enjoy your boat more and future funding will be easier to access..

[dlandersson]

That's a really good point. The PO of my "heavily modified" admiral went for one (1) trip and refused to go for another (I suspect heeling). Boat sat on the hard for two (2) years until I bought it.

Just make sure the first mods attend to your Admirals comfort requirements, that way you will enjoy your boat more and future funding will be easier to access..

[Russ]

I would definitely get an anchor

You need to specify a bit about how you plan to use your boat for advice.
Day sailor
Trailer often/slip
Overnights
Lakes / bay / offshore
How much motoring

We all use our boats differently and have added mods accordingly.

[paul I]

I think the most significant changes were to the steering brackets and location of the ballast vent. You can upgrade the former, but you cant do much about the latter. I have a 2000, which is considered a later model, so I cant really address the changes needed.

Other cant live without mods:
dual battery system with switch and charger
upgrade for the original fuse panel
shore power?

[JohnCFI]

I would agree with all of the foregoing. Especially having an Anchor.

Early on (and some of this is Kit rather than mods)

Lifejackets (decent ones and enough for all on board)
Life Raft (with space for as many as you carry on board - I have a 6-person but don't exceed 4 on board)
Flare pack (nothing worse than drifting out to sea with no means of indicating distress)
VHF Radio (and learn how to use it properly)

I have not done anything with the galley, it works and we are rarely on board more than a day.
Definitely fit dual batteries, one is just for the engine (we are a trawler so the engine is vital)
AIS is a good idea, mine is in the VHF Radio and links with the chartplotter

Don't be in a big hurry to change stuff, as long as you have the basics, work on what you need, This site was a great inspiration to me, but I have come up with my own variations on some things. I asked heaps of Q's on here, and got lots of advice and opinion, but at the end of the day it is what works for you and your boat (and most importantly your Admiral).

[DaveC426913]

Man, I just went browsing through the list of mods. I gave up when the list hit a thousand and showed no signs of stopping.

I want to do about 350 of them.

(Of course, my boat will weigh in at 12 tons...)