Hi All,
I've been an inspired lurker until this... While putting my '97 26X in the water, and trying to raise the mast, the port side spreader, failed -100%.
This is a new boat for me. Is this to be expected? Is there a better upgrade path or do I simpy call Macgregor?
Sorry to hear that, but welcome abd. Glad it didn't cause a mast drop - (did it?).
Spreaders deserve occasional study when the mast is horizontal. The spreader sockets on the mast might have an internal ridge - many do - that can score the outside circumference of the spreader like a glass cutter. Also, the spreaders are light aluminum stock so any kink in the standing rigging while raising, say the shroud adjuster, might impose a failure load. Finally, they're subject to overhead snagging by tree branches - don't ask.
My 26X had one-inch tubing with a wall thickness of one-sixteenth, but the factory told me it should be 3/32nds. You can get it at a metals dealer (like Metals Supermarket in Calif, for me) but it won't be anodized. If you really want anodized, the factory might still have some for the 26X, or maybe dealer Bill ( boats4sail.com ) can hook you up.
Replaced two spreaders myself. They break easily. The loads they take are compression loads and are fine for that, but with the mast stepped, you have to be careful with them. A replacement M spreader is around $30, form the dealer. You probably have to order the X spreader from the factory. Macgregor is actually readily available by phone. To order things, however, you need to send a cashier's check or money order, the only form of payment they accept.
I watched a Mac Dealer replace spreaders in a Mac 26-X, his customer wanted a new "bottom job", lines, and a general maintenance check up. But, these spreaders were so corroded inside the connections at the mast, that failure was just ready to happen. And the problem is that the corroded areas can not easily be seen when the spreaders are attached.
Maybe this should be a "heads up" for Mac Sailors...check for corrosion inside the spreader mast connection sites
Did there, been that.
Replaced mine with hardware store 1" tubing reinforced at both tips with about a foot of 7/8" broom handle. Much stiffer at the socket now, where these things usually fail. Gotta love the hardware store repair parts angle. One 8' piece will do both spreaders, with very little waste, by coincidence. I always trailer and the new ones have survived very well. I originially used stainless but decided it was overkill and went back to aluminum.
Spot-on with the socket sharp edge/corrosion comment. Puh-Lease unbolt these things and inspect the ends and the stainless sockets occasionally. Just takes a few minutes. A single bolt holds each to the socket on the mast. While you check for a sharp ridge inside the socket & sand it smooth to prevent scoring. Mine had lots of corrosion and stress cracking inside, and the tubing walls were bulging in spots.
I intend to replace these with 3/32 material but it's harder to find, and I'll probably have to turn down the endcaps so they fit and I like to sail so it's way down on my list!
You'll have to drill the holes for the bolt on the mast and for the little knob that the cable goes through...but thats not too difficult.
Also...don't loosen the knob on the cable. If it moves you'll have to put the mast up to make sure it's in the right spot on the cable and then you have no way to get up there to tighten it in place.
Hey Bob, I dont mean to whine but, (snivle snivle) when you first signed on to the site we all jumped for joy when you said you'd make affordable dodgers/ enclosures, now you have boom tents, bimini's, sail covers and carpets (which i plan to buy) and more.
I was actually just working on the window panels for the the Bimini this week.
We hope to have the patterns all finished sometime in July and ready to go into production.
We'll be working on the dodger towards the end of July..
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I was just out for an overnight this weekend.
We put the boomtent up ( with the bimini ) in the afternoon and it kept the strong sun at bay. It was very pleasant under there, much cooler. You can fold up one side of the boomtent ( opposite to the sun ) so you can climb in and out onto the dock without a problem.
In the evening when the dew was covering the rest of the boat it was nice and dry under the bimini and boomtent. Also in the morning when we got up the seats were nice and dry and there were no bugs stuck with dew everywhere.
Everyone else with an open cockpit was having to wipe down everywhere so they could sit down for breakfast.
I think with the window panels on..in the evening, it will be like sitting in your living room.
For me...that's all the enclosure I think I'll ever need for the X.
Set up time for everything ( take the cover off the Bimini and open...set up the boomtent ) about 2 1/2 min.
I estimate the time to attach the window panels would probably be an extra 3 min or so.
I'll try and keep you up to date as we get more done on them.
On the way home last night we passed another 26X going the opposite way. We all waved like a bunch of kids at the Santa Clause parade.
I always trailer and the new ones have survived very well. I originially used stainless but decided it was overkill and went back to aluminum.