New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
-
FLMac26x-2021
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida
New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Hi everyone, I am both new to sailing (ASA courses taking in October) and a new 26X owner. Unfortunately, previous owner did not sail, so buying boat was a blind process. Now I have boat at home and trying to figure out how to setup for sailing. ASA course was good, but boat was already rigged as a 36 Hunter. Now my question is what goes where on my 26x. It’s a 1997, looks like first owner did some upgrades but not 100% sure or was standard. I have the owners manual and downloaded some updated ones also. Read and re-read them, but they a “very basic” and don’t tell you anything really.
Can anyone help understand the setup of running rigging?
I’ve taken several photos of the pulleys, blocks, cam-cleats I have. Not photographed yet is the lines, but I also had a box of lines (running rigging) including 3 x “pulley” systems. 1 appears to be the boom as seen in manual, 1 is much longer and has cam cleat/2 pulleys, 1 long with 2 pulleys. I wonder if last 2 were original mast raising system (no pole) and another is some sort of boom vang?
I have a roller furler.
Question is what lines go where and what are all the pulleys/ other attachment points for from the photos?
Anyone have photos or diagrams of line setup, or if a 26x owner in south Florida so I can come take a look would be great.
Can anyone help understand the setup of running rigging?
I’ve taken several photos of the pulleys, blocks, cam-cleats I have. Not photographed yet is the lines, but I also had a box of lines (running rigging) including 3 x “pulley” systems. 1 appears to be the boom as seen in manual, 1 is much longer and has cam cleat/2 pulleys, 1 long with 2 pulleys. I wonder if last 2 were original mast raising system (no pole) and another is some sort of boom vang?
I have a roller furler.
Question is what lines go where and what are all the pulleys/ other attachment points for from the photos?
Anyone have photos or diagrams of line setup, or if a 26x owner in south Florida so I can come take a look would be great.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
‘97 26X
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
- Jimmyt
- Admiral
- Posts: 3402
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase.
Bottom pic is a feeder that helps guide the bolt rope into the mast slot.
You've either drawn the arrow the wrong way on your boom attachment point (mast) photo, or your attachment point is upside down. The hook and U-bracket should be on top.
Boom pulley may be part of a single-line reefing setup, or possibly lazy jack system. I don't have either, so I'll let someone else clear that up.
Post photos of your other questions. Lots of very smart X Owners here. Someone will be able to tell you what's what.
Bottom pic is a feeder that helps guide the bolt rope into the mast slot.
You've either drawn the arrow the wrong way on your boom attachment point (mast) photo, or your attachment point is upside down. The hook and U-bracket should be on top.
Boom pulley may be part of a single-line reefing setup, or possibly lazy jack system. I don't have either, so I'll let someone else clear that up.
Post photos of your other questions. Lots of very smart X Owners here. Someone will be able to tell you what's what.
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
- Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 8395
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
The main sail attaches here (from your pic rotated)

From the 26M manual showing how the boom attaches.


From the 26M manual showing how the boom attaches.

--Russ
- Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1967
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
First of all, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new boat!
I have nothing to add to the replies above. They are all spot-on. If you would care to share what part of Florida you are in it is possible that one of us may be close enough to come help you sort out your rigging.
I have nothing to add to the replies above. They are all spot-on. If you would care to share what part of Florida you are in it is possible that one of us may be close enough to come help you sort out your rigging.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
-
FLMac26x-2021
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Many thanks for reply's, yes pic could be wrong way round, its laying down right now and I was inside added text 
I took about a dozen pics, thinking I could upload all, only to find out limited to 3 per post(?).
As I said, on ASA, boat was rigged, and we learnt that boats setup, but I see I lot of differences (training had block of 3 or 4 rope clutch, 26x has single)
So I am struggling on what goes where. And the manual is useless on details.
Adding more images now:
I will split - maybe to try to group (port/stbd/mast)



I took about a dozen pics, thinking I could upload all, only to find out limited to 3 per post(?).
As I said, on ASA, boat was rigged, and we learnt that boats setup, but I see I lot of differences (training had block of 3 or 4 rope clutch, 26x has single)
So I am struggling on what goes where. And the manual is useless on details.
Adding more images now:
I will split - maybe to try to group (port/stbd/mast)



‘97 26X
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
-
FLMac26x-2021
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
‘97 26X
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
-
FLMac26x-2021
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
‘97 26X
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
-
FLMac26x-2021
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
‘97 26X
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
Honda BF50
Deerfield/ Pompano Beach, Florida
- Jimmyt
- Admiral
- Posts: 3402
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:52 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Your Genoa furling line goes through the block that you guessed was for the furling line, then runs through the fairleads and blocks, just inboard of the stanchions; all the way back to the cam cleat just outboard of your port winch.
Job/Genoa halyard and forestay connect to a hound (mast bracket) that's a few feet below the top of the mast.
Block nearest your mast track at the top should be your main halyard.
Looks like you have a boat that is setup for all lines run to the cockpit, so you may have to post some wider shots so people can see the various routes in total - rather than just the individual blocks. But, you may get lucky and someone might have an identically rigged boat.
Show a pic of your mast raising rig so we have a better frame of reference on that.
Job/Genoa halyard and forestay connect to a hound (mast bracket) that's a few feet below the top of the mast.
Block nearest your mast track at the top should be your main halyard.
Looks like you have a boat that is setup for all lines run to the cockpit, so you may have to post some wider shots so people can see the various routes in total - rather than just the individual blocks. But, you may get lucky and someone might have an identically rigged boat.
Show a pic of your mast raising rig so we have a better frame of reference on that.
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
- Tomfoolery
- Admiral
- Posts: 6135
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Rope clutch is for main halyard. Cam cleat next to sliding hatch is for swing centerboard, and other cam cleat is for whatever you're winching, usually the jib sheet.FLMac26x-2021 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:17 am Many thanks for reply's, yes pic could be wrong way round, its laying down right now and I was inside added text
I took about a dozen pics, thinking I could upload all, only to find out limited to 3 per post(?).
As I said, on ASA, boat was rigged, and we learnt that boats setup, but I see I lot of differences (training had block of 3 or 4 rope clutch, 26x has single)
So I am struggling on what goes where. And the manual is useless on details.
Adding more images now:
I will split - maybe to try to group (port/stbd/mast)
![]()
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
Be seeing you . . .
- Tomfoolery
- Admiral
- Posts: 6135
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Small block on lifeline stanchion is a fairlead for the jib furling line, as is the fixed bullseye fairlead. There should be a cleat just forward of the cockpit.FLMac26x-2021 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 14, 2021 11:21 am Next images I would like to know what lines go where...
![]()
The twin sheave turning block starboard of the mast and the single on the port side are for various lines, depending on what's rigged back to the cockpit. One of the twins is for the main halyard, and they both go to the block on the stanchion, which (ahem) be done a bit better than a hose clamp. The other may be for reefing, or a vang, but I'm guessing a reefing line.
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
Be seeing you . . .
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6793
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
The question still remains, which block is for what?

Not having an
, I am not familiar with the set up on the top of your mast. It appears that the block on the left could be for the main, and the block on the right could be for the topping lift?
Your photo cuts off the extension going to the left in the photo. Again, not having an
, I can only think that is for the back stay?
Hopefully, now that I rotated the photo, someone with an
might better explain it.
P.S. Where in Florida are you
There may be an
owner nearby who can assist. We are a helpful group.

Not having an
Your photo cuts off the extension going to the left in the photo. Again, not having an
Hopefully, now that I rotated the photo, someone with an
P.S. Where in Florida are you
There may be an
Ray ~~_/)~~
- Tomfoolery
- Admiral
- Posts: 6135
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
The one near the slot is for the main sail halyard. My topping lift block is on the other side, opposite the halyard block.
I have no idea what that other forward block is for. If a topping lift went through it, the line would rub on the halyard block. Maybe it's for a spinnaker, but it's not oriented correctly for that, and it's too high up the mast. So I have no clue.
Image below is my mast, rotated so it looks like it's ready for work. The lump on the other side is the VHF antenna, folded for storage. If you zoom in you can see the smaller line which is the topping lift, and the small block (part of it at least) opposite the halyard block.

I have no idea what that other forward block is for. If a topping lift went through it, the line would rub on the halyard block. Maybe it's for a spinnaker, but it's not oriented correctly for that, and it's too high up the mast. So I have no clue.
Image below is my mast, rotated so it looks like it's ready for work. The lump on the other side is the VHF antenna, folded for storage. If you zoom in you can see the smaller line which is the topping lift, and the small block (part of it at least) opposite the halyard block.

Tom
Be seeing you . . .
Be seeing you . . .
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6793
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Tom,
Do you plan a vacation to Florida soon
There might be free lodging in it for you 
Do you plan a vacation to Florida soon
Ray ~~_/)~~
- Tomfoolery
- Admiral
- Posts: 6135
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'
Re: New sailer and 26X owner - Running rigging help
Seems like every time I go somewhere and visit someone I end up doing work ha ha.
Tom
Be seeing you . . .
Be seeing you . . .









