MacGregorSailors.com

Hello All,

I have been an owner of a 1998 mac 26x since 2003, had it in the water for 03 and 04, and than I got married, bought a house and had a baby. So my boat sat in the my yard under a tarp till this year.

On August 14th I get to put it back in the water full time, at a slip at the Oyster House Marine in East Providence RI.

Before I do this do I need to worry that the boat has sat for so long? I have tested the motor (50HP Tohatsue sp?), raised the mast and CDI furling and it looks ok. Put up all the sails (main and Genoa) they both look ok. So any input on what I should look for?

Any help can be paid for in beer if you live near RI

I'd inspect all the standing rigging for rust and nicked strands especaily the forestay under the furling drum , rudder lines for decay and anchor rode if the boat was store inside in a dry local then everything should be OK check for mice & squirrells also don't want to shake up the boss also this time of yr bee's or wasp nest's Oh and spiders webs

J welcome back aboard

PS That should be worth a 6pack & dozen hot wings

Any beers left onboard all that time prolly not good anymore!

K9Kampers wrote:Any beers left onboard all that time prolly not good anymore!

I did find a bottle of white wine onboard, smelled bad. I also found a couple of nips of capt morgan....still good.

Highlander wrote:I'd inspect all the standing rigging for rust and nicked strands especaily the forestay under the furling drum , rudder lines for decay and anchor rode if the boat was store inside in a dry local then everything should be OK check for mice & squirrells also don't want to shake up the boss also this time of yr bee's or wasp nest's Oh and spiders webs

J welcome back aboard

PS That should be worth a 6pack & dozen hot wings

Thanks for the info.
Rigging looks good no damage, ropes look ok.

Did have many many yellow jackets in the mast...thank god for raid.

If you where closer I would buy u a six pack and some wings

K9Kampers wrote:Any beers left onboard all that time prolly not good anymore!

Wings MIGHT not be any good either!

Rick

Congrats on getting the boat back in the water. The New England Trailer Sailors are having an Allen harbor rendevous Aug 5-8. You can look it up on their website if you're interested... I'm going to try and launch from Colt State park and do some day sailing withing them, and look at some mods as I am a relatively new owner...

http://www.ne-ts.com/members/2010allenharbor2.htm

Keep the wing's & beer have them to you'r self to celebrate once the boat is back in the water .
Please take the boat out with a buddy a couple of times just to make sure everything is all in good working order , before taking the family out & enjoy again

J

I might be concerned with the water pump impeller depending on how it was put away. The rubber may have deteriorated over time being dry. In fact, all rubber hoses and connections should be checked.


--Russ

RussMT wrote:I might be concerned with the water pump impeller depending on how it was put away. The rubber may have deteriorated over time being dry. In fact, all rubber hoses and connections should be checked.
--Russ

Good idea ! along with:
...that doggonned iron trailer, its tires, wheel bearing grease, brakes locked up, and rusted-weak joints.

Happy Sailing !

RussMT wrote:I might be concerned with the water pump impeller depending on how it was put away. The rubber may have deteriorated over time being dry. In fact, all rubber hoses and connections should be checked.


--Russ

I think you mean on the outboard? I tested the motor by using the rabbit ears with garden hose. The motor started fine and water started to come out of the small water exit hole.

LOUIS B HOLUB wrote:

RussMT wrote:I might be concerned with the water pump impeller depending on how it was put away. The rubber may have deteriorated over time being dry. In fact, all rubber hoses and connections should be checked.
--Russ

Good idea ! along with:
...that doggonned iron trailer, its tires, wheel bearing grease, brakes locked up, and rusted-weak joints.

Happy Sailing !

I checked the trailer bearings and brakes they look ok. It is a 20 mile drive from home to boat ramp.

mpicanso wrote:

RussMT wrote:I might be concerned with the water pump impeller depending on how it was put away. The rubber may have deteriorated over time being dry. In fact, all rubber hoses and connections should be checked.


--Russ

I think you mean on the outboard? I tested the motor by using the rabbit ears with garden hose. The motor started fine and water started to come out of the small water exit hole.

It may be fine then. I'm not a mechanic but I would run it for a while to make sure it's okay. It's possible to lose one or two "fingers/blades" and still operate but not at capacity.
Water Pumps.
The concern is that dry rot will cause one or more fingers to break off or crack. If so, the volume will be reduced.

Most water pump impellers are a hassle to replace. If you don't replace it, I would stay close to port the first time you take it out and open it up just in case it overheats. It is quite possible you have a 12 year old impeller. As much of a pain as it is, I would plan to replace it at some point. It's nearly impossible to do when you are out.

Oh yea, batteries might also be a concern if they haven't been keep on a trickle. They are cheap enough, I'd just replace them for good measure. They are probably at the end of their life anyway.

Yea, check the trailer stuff too. Rot on the tires, hitch coupler, rust anywhere, lights all the usual stuff.


--Russ

I would have the engine checked out before you ever put her in the water. That's a long time for it to just sit. Change the oil in the engine and the lower unit, drop in new plugs too. The impeller is a good idea too.

Well had the motor checked out, and the mechanic said it looked fine, changed the oil engine and lower unit oil. He showed me the impeller and it looked good, did not need to be replaced. When I told him how long it has been sitting he just looked at me and said “Sure don’t look it”

So long story short, if all goes well I should be in the water by Sunday the 8th.