M19 Inspection port mod?

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Alyn9999
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:29 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 19
Location: Port Townsend

M19 Inspection port mod?

Post by Alyn9999 »

Had to spend a few hours getting off old 5200 and some factory fiberglass slop off the top of my M19 inspection ports and now have to put on new inserts to cover them from BWY. Was thinking there has to be an easier way to avoid this in the future and found a couple threaded inspection hatches that would fit perfectly and allow for easy access. My question is has anyone done this with either a M19 or a 26 and will those threads and O ring keep it watertight from beneath with the ballast filled??? I am told the tank just has a pressure if 1-2 psi when filled.
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Last edited by Alyn9999 on Sun Oct 16, 2022 6:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jimmyt
Admiral
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Mobile AL 2013 26M, 60 Etec

Re: M19 Inspection port mode

Post by Jimmyt »

We put some of the white plastic 6” ports into my neighbor’s water tanks on his island packet. They were not completely watertight when heeled. Probably about the same pressure, or less, than the ballast tank application (depending on where you’re installing them. The metal ones might be better, but I don’t have experience with them.

The 26M doesn’t have inspection ports in the ballast tank - at least mine doesn’t.
Jimmyt
P-Cub-Boo
2013 26M, Etec 60, roller Genoa, roller main
Cruising Waters: Mobile Bay, Western Shore, Fowl River
Alyn9999
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:29 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 19
Location: Port Townsend

Re: M19 Inspection port mode

Post by Alyn9999 »

Good to know. BWY said they those kind of ports were used initially on the M19s but leaked. It's too bad as it's an elegant solution to a maintenance PITA. I think the 26X and 26S also had ports but not sure.
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Deeseas
Engineer
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Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 2:43 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 19
Location: Pt. Coquitlam, B.C. Canada

Re: M19 Inspection port mode

Post by Deeseas »

Reapply with 4200 or similar it's more of a chaulking, 5200 is like a glue. Way easier to remove ports and clean.
Alyn9999
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:29 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 19
Location: Port Townsend

Re: M19 Inspection port mod?

Post by Alyn9999 »

Will the 4200 seal watertight like the 5200 giving enough curing? My 19 will be on land for 3 months so can give it plenty of time to cure no matter what sealant I use.
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Deeseas
Engineer
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Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 2:43 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 19
Location: Pt. Coquitlam, B.C. Canada

Re: M19 Inspection port mod?

Post by Deeseas »

We've had our :mac19: for 26 years, I've removed the plates twice, no problems with leaks and no problems removing and cleaning.
Alyn9999
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2022 9:29 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 19
Location: Port Townsend

Re: M19 Inspection port mod?

Post by Alyn9999 »

Great. WIll use the 4200 then. Thx!
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