26M Galley Mod Feasibility Question

[Idiotfool]

Hello, all. I still don't have a Macgregor, so I'm left pondering how I'd use it and what my needs would be before deciding on which model I'd get. I intend to sail and motor around, but I also frequently road trip and my wife and I had a very compact Toy Hauler RV trailer that we sold last year because storage fees were killing us. I can keep a boat in my community, but I can't store an RV trailer without getting written up, so I figure I'll get a boat that I can use as an RV.

I don't know which model best suits my needs, or could be made to best suit my needs. I recently went to see my first X in the flesh and I was underwhelmed by the size of the head, which I'd read was a big selling point on going for the X over the M. So, now I'm looking at the M and thinking about mods. I don't like the thought of debris falling into the aft birth because of the open ladder design and I wondered if a bulkhead with an L-shaped galley was do-able. I've only seen two bulkhead mods on the Mac, but I've seen quite a few sailboats with the setup I'm referring to. Here is a 1980s Wellcraft Starwind 27, for reference:



I believe something similar could be done with a Mac 26M, with a bulkhead setup similar to what Currie did, though the starboard side would be open as it is on the Starwind.



Having the first step be a little high, but being a fairly deep work surface would give an additional seat for someone to trim sails while in the cabin. Integrate steps into a cabinet like the Starwind, and you have a fairly easy entry into the cabin, though you give up a little of your sole. The galley would likely need to be made stationary, though the slide feature could be kept, if desired, with a change of the countertop and use of a fold flat sink like a deep Dometic fold-flat sink.



Thoughts? Am I overthinking this? Is debris not really an issue? Would rear birth access over the starboard seat be too inconvenient or difficult? What the heck is under that hump at the bottom of the stairs and would it be too inaccessible with this setup?

[K9Kampers]

The Starwind has a beam of approximately 9.6ft vs the M of 7.8ft. What looks pleasing and practical on the Starwind, might be tight and unsatisfying when duplicated on the M. There are bound to be compromises. It's a neat idea that would be nice to see someone execute. Perhaps the part of the L under the companionway could serve as a first step / counter that would fold / hinge away for access to the aft.

What is the "debris" and where is it falling from? On my X, anything not secured in the dinette and v-berth would end up on the floor or the opposite side when the wind picked up. Never had anything fall into the aft berth from above.

I think you are overthinking or presuming certain things for a boat that you don't even have yet.

My advice, based on my experience with my X, is to do no or just simple mods for the first season. Spend time getting to know the boat as it is and you will have a clearer picture and feel of the space to adapt to your needs. My final galley mod took place over several seasons as an evolution of design from millions of ideas of what I thought I would like vs what was practical. After five or so seasons, I had an ah ha moment in which I essentially started over and built my final galley that was best suited for how I used the boat.

[Jimmyt]

Hello, all. I still don't have a Macgregor, so I'm left pondering how I'd use it and what my needs would be before deciding on which model I'd get. I intend to sail and motor around, but I also frequently road trip and my wife and I had a very compact Toy Hauler RV trailer that we sold last year because storage fees were killing us. I can keep a boat in my community, but I can't store an RV trailer without getting written up, so I figure I'll get a boat that I can use as an RV.

I don't know which model best suits my needs, or could be made to best suit my needs. I recently went to see my first X in the flesh and I was underwhelmed by the size of the head, which I'd read was a big selling point on going for the X over the M. So, now I'm looking at the M and thinking about mods. I don't like the thought of debris falling into the aft birth because of the open ladder design and I wondered if a bulkhead with an L-shaped galley was do-able. I've only seen two bulkhead mods on the Mac, but I've seen quite a few sailboats with the setup I'm referring to. Here is a 1980s Wellcraft Starwind 27, for reference:

I believe something similar could be done with a Mac 26M, with a bulkhead setup similar to what Currie did, though the starboard side would be open as it is on the Starwind.

Having the first step be a little high, but being a fairly deep work surface would give an additional seat for someone to trim sails while in the cabin. Integrate steps into a cabinet like the Starwind, and you have a fairly easy entry into the cabin, though you give up a little of your sole. The galley would likely need to be made stationary, though the slide feature could be kept, if desired, with a change of the countertop and use of a fold flat sink like a deep Dometic fold-flat sink.

Thoughts? Am I overthinking this? Is debris not really an issue? Would rear birth access over the starboard seat be too inconvenient or difficult? What the heck is under that hump at the bottom of the stairs and would it be too inaccessible with this setup?

Both of the mods you suggest would be workable on the M. Although, I think the ladder may be structural, so you may want to work a connection into your L-shaped galley mod to carry that load (which would be easy). I think Currie kept enough of the ladder structure in his mod.

I'm curious as to what debris you think is going to wind up in the aft berth. You don't want to track crap into your cockpit, much less your cabin. I haven't noticed a lot of debris in my aft berth, but I'm pretty obnoxious about making sure everyone's feet are clean.

Access over the starboard seat is the way I go, and it's not a big problem. Not the greatest, but low on my list of things that need changing.

If you didn't like the X head, you probably won't like the M head either. You need to try one on before you worry about mods. The head is a big deal if you are doing extended camping. It comes with a two gallon porta potti which is only good for a couple of days with two people. A five gallon is taller, which is an issue in the low headroom M head. BOAT has lowered the floor step in his to fix this issue.

You seem to be a bit picky, so, no - you are probably not overthinking it. I would have been very happy with either the M or X models. I've had mine for several years and have only recently determined that I wanted to make a few mods. I just enjoy being on the water.

Either of these boats is usable for boat camping as-is. Not perfect for everybody, but certainly usable. If you get one, use it awhile to get a feel for what you really want to change.

Edit: K9 beat me to the punch...

[Idiotfool]

Thanks, guys. Yes, I’m pretty particular when it comes to things and I’m still trying to decide which layout I prefer. If a mod like this is seen as “very useful,” then I would lean more toward the M model, since it’s not possible on the X.

I have a dog and with him adventuring with us along with the potential for fowl weather, I thought water or sand would fall onto the bed. There’s a video of an Alaskan couple traveling with their dog and they put a mesh screen behind the ladder to keep the area clean.

As far as the head goes, I don’t think either are ideal, but I usually just use the campground facilities, so it’s not a terribly big deal, either way. I was just surprised at the size, on the X, since I’d read how much of a loss it was.

I’ve modded many things before and I typically wait a long time to ensure that I have enough information to know if something is a good idea for me or not. Typically, these mods are reversible, too, but I appreciate the suggestion for caution.

Thanks, again.

[Russ]

My advice, based on my experience with my X, is to do no or just simple mods for the first season. Spend time getting to know the boat as it is and you will have a clearer picture and feel of the space to adapt to your needs. My final galley mod took place over several seasons as an evolution of design from millions of ideas of what I thought I would like vs what was practical. After five or so seasons, I had an ah ha moment in which I essentially started over and built my final galley that was best suited for how I used the boat.

^^^^ This

There were a couple of mods I did right away, but nothing major.
Once you use the boat a bit, you will get lots of ideas and some of your original ideas will change.

[Russ]

If you didn't like the X head, you probably won't like the M head either. You need to try one on before you worry about mods. The head is a big deal if you are doing extended camping. It comes with a two gallon porta potti which is only good for a couple of days with two people. A five gallon is taller, which is an issue in the low headroom M head. BOAT has lowered the floor step in his to fix this issue.

I've never actually been inside an X, but the M head is much smaller.
I took the door off. It's just in the way. We have a curtain for privacy. This is still a small boat.

I have a 5 gal head which as Jimmy said is a bit taller but allows for longer outings.

Realize no boat is perfect. We have many compromises but also many benefits to owning a Mac.

[K9Kampers]

Dog debris - having always sailed with two dogs on board, cocker spaniels, I understand the concerns about dirty dogs. Dog sand was never an issue for us as dogs returning from shore would get paws rinsed before being allowed below. The companionway ladder can be bungied up to act as a dog gate.

Wet dog was always an issue. We always had an abundant supply of dog towels. The v-berth is for sleeping, but during the day a heavyweight wool blanket was laid out on the v for the dogs. There is always a degree of compromise with dogs on board.

Modding- I certainly can appreciate the interest in modding, as I've spent countless hours dreaming, designing, planning. The time ratio of thinking to doing is about a million to one!

For all my time on this boat, designing, building,, outfitting and creating the organizational systems that suited our needs, I can reflect that simplicity is king! If there is another project like this in the future, it won't be about building out the space to hold a bunch of unnecessary crap, but rather outfitting for the least amount of necessary crap.

[rsvpasap]

It's not so much the size of the head as it is knowing how to use it. I was very inspired by the shower modifications on this site and installed a totally enclosed head in my 26X. I'm not aware of any trailer sailer at any price that has something comprable, but it does require a bit of work ... a Nature's Head which is tall and thin (thus opening up more floor space), a shower sump under the floor and a hot water heater (Seaward/Whale S360EW 12v) which works equally well at anchor or at the dock. I'm 6'3", the Admiral is 5'10" (and not staying on the boat for more than 24 hours without a fully functional head). The 26x head is luxurious for a trailerable boat.

[Jimmyt]

Deleted duplicate...

[Jimmyt]

It's not so much the size of the head as it is knowing how to use it. I was very inspired by the shower modifications on this site and installed a totally enclosed head in my 26X. I'm not aware of any trailer sailer at any price that has something comprable, but it does require a bit of work ... a Nature's Head which is tall and thin (thus opening up more floor space), a shower sump under the floor and a hot water heater (Seaward/Whale S360EW 12v) which works equally well at anchor or at the dock. I'm 6'3", the Admiral is 5'10" (and not staying on the boat for more than 24 hours without a fully functional head). The 26x head is luxurious for a trailerable boat.

Did you put this in the mods section, or otherwise document it in posts? I looked for it a bit this morning but only found a post about your whale water heater. I'd be interested in seeing more details on your mod, if available.

[rsvpasap]

The items for this mod:

A hot water heater. I use a Seward/Whale Pumps S360EW 12V because I prefer electric:
https://bit.ly/2HdAHZh


Whale Marine WX1599B Seaward Thermostatic Mixer Valve. I have the hot water heater set at the maximum, 140F, and the mixed water set at 107F.
https://bit.ly/2SV1rPK


Ball-valve which reduces the mixed (107F) water flow rate to about .75 gallons per minute. I'm still adjusting this occasionally; I want the flow set as low as we can tolerate.
https://amzn.to/2F4Ctto

Faucet that is also a shower head. http://bit.ly/2u1zRWY

A fan-vent--light. This was an Oceanair product. Oceanair was acquired by Dometic and I'm not able to find a current link. http://img.nauticexpo.com/pdf/repositor ... 297_1b.jpg

Lighted power switches for the fan and light.

A hatch door to stop shower water from running into the bildge. http://bit.ly/2Tvflgt

A shower drain and sump box (located under the floor in the bilge area, aft of the head). http://bit.ly/2TtWKBu When the water exits the sump box, it goes through a hose that joins with the hose for the head lav through-hull and drains directly to the outside.

Older solar/battery window fan, plus the new Natures Head vent.

A Natures Head. https://www.marinesan.com/Natures-Head- ... handle.htm You need the "spider handle" for it all to fit the head correctly.

The Natures Head is tall, which makes one sit taller, which means your legs and feet occupy less floor space, thus making the head seem much longer.

[Jimmyt]

Thank you very much! Great info!

[BOAT]

Taking a crap on a small boat is a pain in the a . . . . wait, this all sounds redundant.

On either boat it's hard to put the galley under the ladder because it's not wide enough for people to walk in if someone is at the galley. That being said I can appreciate the nicety of standing at the galley looking out the door - it's a nice way to cook and serve. The closest you can get to doing that is on the M boat; by sliding the galley aft a little bit, (the galley on later M boats slides fore and aft) -

As for the head - people like to stand up when they are pulling up their pants. It's easier that way. (Unless you are Highlander - *he does not wear pants - that's why he has an M boat). Only the X boat gives you the possibility of ^standing up.

On the M you are bent over - there is no "head" room (HAW get it? 'HEAD' room! what?? . . . not even funny? Fine!

So anyways - you need to take a dump a few times in each boat to decide what you are willing to tolerate. Maybe some one will let you take a dump in their X boat

^Are you a tall person?

*Do you wear a kilt? (Or do you dress in women's clothing at all?)

[Jimmyt]

BOAT: I see you decided to drink the ballast water yourself - maybe cutting it with scotch....

[Idiotfool]

So anyways - you need to take a dump a few times in each boat to decide what you are willing to tolerate. Maybe some one will let you take a dump in their X boat

^Are you a tall person?

*Do you wear a kilt? (Or do you dress in women's clothing at all?)

I don't actually need to use the head, I just need to sit in it. Scots' honor. Any takers with M in South Florida that will let me sit in their head?

I'm 6'1, but the admiral is 5'3. Our average height would be fine on the M, I think. It's just the two of us and doggo, so I am not worried about someone going in and out of the cabin and messing with my galley while I'm using it.

No kilts or dresses for me, but any bottoms that don't have zippers work just about as well. Basketball shorts are your friend - I learned that sailing on racers with short cabins.