26x Modifications

[Dutch01527]

Long post, experienced Mac Owners should probably ignore but may help newbies like me.

Enjoying fiddling with new 26X ready for the new season. This and the UK Macgregor owners forums have been really useful. I have found some simple modifications/products that make the boat much easier to live with for me.

Already done
- clean inside and out with Aldi( UK supermarket) caravan cleaner - great stuff at £2.99
- new cabin flooring using Aldi outdoor interlocking mats - easy to cut, water proof and non slip - £26
- replaced tired original washboard with tinted black acrylic - £100
- moved cabin ladder forward about an inch using 1 inch square oak spacers - ladder can now be swung up and out of the way to allow easier access to rear bunks. Tightening the hinge locking nuts means that it holds itself in the up position nicely - 2x 100mm M8 bolts and a bit of oak £10
- discovered that the forward starboard removable seat back/cushion is designed to be used to extend the port v berth if placed on top of the port bench seat cushion. I guess everyone knows this but I did not.
- new 3" foam pad to cover table when the table is dropped to form additional bunk. My wife is not keen on enclosed spaces and this makes a much more open sleeping position. - £20
- new rescue bouy and light. New throwing line. £60
- sand and varnish cabin ladder steps- looks like new
- longer (40m) 8mm braid spiniker halyard running from rope clutch in front of winch along deck to mast head to pulpit block and back to second rope clutch. Brilliant mod. It works as a 2nd safety forestay/mast raiser with mast raising kit with winch/spinnaker halyard. Already had everything needed except long halyard £20
- handles on both sides of the sliding hatch.£20
- replace Clevis pins with Winchard self locking shackles https://www.s3i.co.uk/image/s3i/wichard ... e-main.jpg of same size with a cable tie through the eye as extra security ( could use wire but cable tie is quicker). More secure to my mind than clevis pins because the tie would have to break and the self locking mechanism fail and the pin unscrew it's self 4 x 360 degree turns for it to fail and much easier to use. £20
- replace mast and pulpit bolts with quick release pins of same size with end securing spring loaded locking lever. Again use cable tie through hole in locking lever for extra security. £25
- three way valve in fuel line to swop from 1 fuel tank to another £15


Still to do
- additional battery and voltage regulator
-Becket / cam cleat on cockpit track to allow Genoa/Jib sheet handling from steering position ( when winch is not needed)
- white rubberised spray paint to unfinished fibre glass in head and underneath hatches. For some reason this raw fibreglass bugged me more than anything else, looks like the boat was made with no pride. 6 cans £25 from eBay
- vinyl spray paint of old cockpit cushions
- something to fix anchor line to in locker maybe a U bolt but I have not looked at access underneath yet. Mine is not fastened to anything and is an accident waiting to happen if the anchor is needed in an emergency. Any ideas?
- second main sheet set up on snap shackles that can be connected to the boom and leeward cockpit track as a easy travelor replacement when I need to get the boom further over than the central main sheet will allow. I will probably use also as the mast raiser
- move the main sheet pedestal connection point lower so that the main sheet cam cleat will release upwards. The standard set up means that if anyone puts pressure accidentally on the main sheet by pulling down or stepping on it it it would release when facing downwards which could swing the boom around violently to the stays if there was enough wind I think
- Clamcleat auto release cleats for the rudder lines. Much easier to use and auto release if the rudder hits anything

Funny how with the house and cars I am pretty relaxed but for some reason I want a boat to be as efficient as it can be - Merchant Navy officer training in my early years I guess. If anyone wants details or pictures please ask.

Steve


Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:37 pm
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[sailboatmike]

Im seriously considering a 2 part companionway hatch to form a washboard especially as the X has an open transom and unlike the M nothing to stop a wave taken over the back from entering the cabin, this would also mean easier storage than the one huge bit of fiberglass that it currently is.

its nice to have a nice big companionway into the cabin for easy access but the lack of any sort of wash board to stop any water coming over the back has worried me.

My sailing ground is a pretty shallow bay with a few channels, it also has a 3.3 meter tidal range, so the combination of shallow water and a screaming tide into wind can make for some pretty steep chop

[March]

I've never experienced full waves getting into the cockpit. Sure, sometimes spray gets in, but then the cockpit floor is sloped and before the water gets over the companionway lip, it drains quickly into the engine well. For a wave to get full blast from behind, without lifting the stern, I would imagine a pretty heavy storm, loss of control, boat no longer pointing into the waves, etc. The companionway full door would be the right choice under such dire conditions, I would think.

Our door is made of transparent plexy and works just fine. No claustrophobic feelings inside, and would nicely keep any kind of rogue waves out.

[Starscream]

this would also mean easier storage than the one huge bit of fiberglass that it currently is.

We hated storing the washboard too, until we found that it fits just perfectly standing vertically under the captain's seat. You have to fiddle with the angle a bit but you can lower the seat down on top of the washboard and the seat holds it in place nicely. Haven't tried it in bad weather but we haven't been out in bad weather...ever.

[Dutch01527]

I thought about a 2 piece washboard but to fit in the side and bottom groove it needs to be thin and I was concerned about the join between the two parts letting in water and also the strength / security of two pieces. Much thicker acrylic would be an option with the sides, bottom and join routered but that would be much more expensive and I decided that a 1 piece would do the job adequately.

The new acrylic one piece is very light and I store it on the rear bunk. It matches the side panel of the pedestal and looks much better than the original imho.

[sunshinecoasting]

- second main sheet set up on snap shackles that can be connected to the boom and leeward cockpit track as a easy travelor replacement when I need to get the boom further over than the central main sheet will allow.


Im not quite sure i understand this one, my main sheet is VERY long and allows the boom to swing to right angles with mast, not that I would ever sail with it that far around, however heres something i do all the time that might help, when sailing downwind and risking an accidental jibe, I un clip the main from the pedestal and clip it to the forward cockpit life line rail loop instead, by doing this you can still control where the boom lies and also eliminate an accidental jibe, this is only handy if you intend to sail downwind for a decent length of time. Works a treat and keeps me safe. I do have travellers on my cockpit gunwales but never use them, so much easier just to use the life line rail.

Cheers, Dennis.

[Dutch01527]

Dennis
My mistake I meant connecting the 2nd main sheet upwind. Sailing performance is improved when sailing close to the wind by having a traveller ( as on the 26M I believe) that allows the boom to be moved more upwind. A second main sheet block system that was connected to the upwind cockpit track would achieve the same without the need for a traveller obstructing the cockpit. The sheet would not need to be too long it is only used to get the boom a bit more upwind when close hauled. The normal main sheet would be used at all other time. The 2nd main sheet system would need to swap sides when tacking via a snap shackle so would be a bit more work.

I could be wrong and have not tested it and would welcome opinions.

[sailboatmike]

Having the main up wind will be slightly faster in light conditions, however in stronger winds it would induce weather helm, the way the X sails a bit of weather helm wouldnt be all bad, I find I get lee helm in stronger winds, maybe its just my sail / rig balance, maybe the mast needs raking back a bit more, I have not adjusted it from the PO's settings

[yukonbob]

Those snap shackles don't stand up to well, especially with the main sheet. Never use them to raise the mast. They deform under load very easli and can open up completely if pushed far enough or at the least become very difficult to open without pliers. That may make a difference in you descision to go to a double main sheet vs a traveler.

[PEN24]

discovered that the forward starboard removable seat back/cushion is designed to be used to extend the port v berth if placed on top of the port bench seat cushion. I guess everyone knows this but I did not

I wasn't aware of this - how is it supported underneath?

[Seapup]

Funny how with the house and cars I am pretty relaxed but for some reason I want a boat to be as efficient as it can be -

Welcome to the mac modifying club, its half the fun! Just watch it doesn't turn into an addiction

The normal main sheet would be used at all other time. The 2nd main sheet system would need to swap sides when tacking via a snap shackle so would be a bit more work.

I could be wrong and have not tested it and would welcome opinions

Double mainsheet is the way to go on an in my opinion. I tried a bunch of variations and ended with adding padeyes to the roof & sheeted mid boom, then led back to EZ cleats at the helm. Control boom position and height without a vang or traveler. No lines in the cockpit and everything easy reach at the helm.


http://vid1121.photobucket.com/albums/l ... c4ymqk.mp4

[bobbob]

I find working on improvements for the Mac scratches the same itch as someone who likes to restore cars, or do woodworking - it hits that sweet spot combination of aethetic and practicality where you get some pride from a job well done, and kudos from others to boot Because space is at a premium you get that extra challenge of efficiency improvements. And because the boat is relatively inexpensive its less traumatic to experiment!

[dlandersson]

I did not know this either

discovered that the forward starboard removable seat back/cushion is designed to be used to extend the port v berth if placed on top of the port bench seat cushion. I guess everyone knows this but I did not

I wasn't aware of this - how is it supported underneath?

[Dutch01527]

The forward seat back slides out and can be placed cushion upwards on top of the port bench cushion and the v berth/table seat grp. Works perfectly.

[Dutch01527]

Thanks for the input. I am still not convinced that a snap shackle is not a safe option but will do some more research given the warnings.

My thinking is that the breaking load of 5000lb for a 2 1/2" shackle (SWL 2000lb) is plenty. The risk is that the shackle opens and if that happened the original main sheet would still be in place and secure. The boom would only jump a foot or two, much less stress than a gybe. If is gets stuck not really an issue can just unhook from the boom and sort out at leisure. I have used snap shackles for years on sheets and halyards and never had or heard of a failure.

I saw the twin main sheet set up but thought that this could be an easier option and less cluttered

Agree about mast raising on a snap shackle.