MacGregorSailors.com

I bought myself an early Christmas present.

I picked up a 1997 26X on Saturday. It now sits under 6 inches of snow and I will probably have to wait 4 months until I get her wet.

Fairly stock boat with many upgrades, 50 hp Tohatsu, gray sail and bimini covers. Beats the hull out of the "hurricane boat" I looked at.

Boy, am I going to have a bunch of questions.

Welcome aboard Gyro. Hopefully you got a deal where both parties walked away happy.

Good boat good fun!

I was happy, I hope he was as well.

I got 4 anchors with the boat. He said one of the anchors was REAL EXPENSIVE and I recall, reading on the forum, about a Billabong(?) anchor.

I spent way too much time here trying to search anchor types and didn't find anything like this. A search of West Marine identified the other three.

I also got a Raymarine Autohelm (uninstalled) that I can't id either (must be an older model) It hangs off the helm wheel shaft like a horse collar and has a "turn signal" type stalk off the right side to operate it.

There is a remote compass that has to be installed for this autohelm. Anyone have any suggestions for a mounting location?

Thanks, Tom

Congratulations on the purchase, the billabong anchor is more than likely of Aust origin but have never heard of the brand, maybe some of the other Aussies have.
The auto helm sounds like a sportspilot and Raymarine recommend them for our boats above their latest offerings.

Congrats! Now the fun begins.

I found the mod section invaluable. Plus all the fantastic information from other owners.

Hi Gyro and I to bought my 1997 26X back in Jan. I have done major upgrades and willing to share info.
One I just completed was the 2 ft. long split in the centerboard and changeing to Braided line instead of 7x16 steel cable.(never new the centerboard was split until I took it out to replace cable)
Dave

gyroplanes wrote:I bought myself an early Christmas present.

I picked up a 1997 26X on Saturday. It now sits under 6 inches of snow and I will probably have to wait 4 months until I get her wet.

Fairly stock boat with many upgrades, 50 hp Tohatsu, gray sail and bimini covers. Beats the hull out of the "hurricane boat" I looked at.

Boy, am I going to have a bunch of questions.

Welcome Aboard!

Saw 2 or 3 NFL football games on Sunday and only miserable rain.
What decent sailing areas are under 6" of snow ?

Ralph k
Hakuna Matata
'97X Honda 50

gyroplanes wrote:I was happy, I hope he was as well.

I also got a Raymarine Autohelm (uninstalled) that I can't id either (must be an older model) It hangs off the helm wheel shaft like a horse collar and has a "turn signal" type stalk off the right side to operate it.

There is a remote compass that has to be installed for this autohelm. Anyone have any suggestions for a mounting location?

Thanks, Tom

Merry Christmas! Congrats on the new to you boat!
You can count your lucky stars if it is a Raymarine ST4000 MKII+, they don't make them anymore and they were a perfect match for a Mac. There must be something on it somewhere to ID it.
There is a recent thread currently running on compass position I believe the title starts with "Current Thinking on AutoPilot" read through it. Also check the archives for installation as many have already been through the process.

gyroplanes,

Welcome, and congratulations. This is one of those time when I wish there was a way of piping you aboard All of the best for you and your boat.

Ray

Gyro - might that anchor be a 'Bullwaga' which looks like three triangular plates mounted around a metal rod??

In my experience anchor ratings are less relevant than the skill of the person setting the anchor (with exceptions for pathological bottoms)....Im not an expert sailor but by following directions carefully (and making a few mistakes) Ive gotten to the point where I will leave my boat on anchor for a weekend...and be confident it will there when I return

I'm the EXACT opposite If I was stupid enough to leave my boat anchored for a weekend - - - I am POSITIVE that it would NOT be there when I returned True story

Rick

Congratulations Gyro

& Welcome. I think your autopilot is probably a Sportpilot or a Sportpilot Plus from how you described it. It's not hard to put on or work with. I have one - works great, just follow the instructions.

Repeat this mantra: Mods are fun, Mods are fun...

See ya in the forums

Congratulations on your purchase gyroplanes and welcome to the world's best (and most helpful) international forum.

'll bet you're itching to get started so its a shame about the snow!

Oh, and happy modding as well!

Re: Placement of the auto compass.

This has been talked about b4. It should show up in a search - sorry I don't have time right now to punch one up.

But I'll paraphrase the finding: In the rear berth, facing forward, on the hump or to the left or right of it. This should be within a foot above the outside waterline.

One person may have also placed it behind the step where our water valve is. But don't hold me to that, as it would be facing the wrong way and some reference point adjustment may have to be made.

The Raymarine links I posted earlier should also uncover installment procedures in PDF files.

All The Best

Thanks for the welcome, all.

I do have Raymarine Sportpilot (not plus) and it is not installed yet. Have to wait until it's warm out.

The anchor is a Bullwaga as described.

I love to mod things and look forward to my new "canvas"

Sadly, I had to cover the boat until Spring. What a torture........ 4 more months !

I will be in a slip in the Hammond (Indiana, Lake Michigan) Marina this Spring.

I have a MAC 25 I need to sell. As soon as I get the make of my sails and a few other things, I will be listing it. It would make a great restoration project as it is in good shape, recently sailed, and is loaded with options. I might also sell the boat stripped and sell off the options (many are new)

My previous boat to the M25 was a South Coast 22 Eclipse model. I had a speed boat before her and a sailing kayak (Klepper folbot) before that (in my childhood)

I will search for remote compass info.