Mast barely rotating.

[Prospect]

I'm a new 26m owner having purchased the boat last July. I noticed that the mast barely rotates when sailing. If I try to move the mast by hand it does rotate with force. One side is easier than the other. I'd like to address this issue now while the mast is off. Also, is there a cap on the top of the mast? Mine has no cap and if you look inside all I see is a foam type material. Thanks so much.

[NiceAft]

1st Blue Water Yachts ( http://www.bwyachts.com/ )should be able to supply the cap.

2nd The foam you see is normal. It’s flotation.

3rd The stiffness in the mast rotation is not unusual, many here have made that complaint. Hopefully someone here who has had the problem chimes in with their solution. I should state that I also had that problem, and no longer care. I do not race my

What year is your M?

[kurz]

Take the Mast down, open the Mast foot, grease all the washers, then it should work normally...

[Russ]

As mentioned above, you could try greasing the washers.

I replaced them with thrust bearings from BWY. here https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3435-1m0.htm

[Ixneigh]

I made my own bearings. Testing them now. I put the video up on YouTube I think. Inxeighs 26m or something like that.

Ix

[Jimmyt]

…. Also, is there a cap on the top of the mast? Mine has no cap and if you look inside all I see is a foam type material. Thanks so much.

Here is the factory mast cap for a 2013 M.

[Prospect]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'll order the cap. I'll look at the baring and see if it needs replacing and washers need greasing.

[NiceAft]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'll order the cap. I'll look at the baring and see if it needs replacing and washers need greasing.

The stock mast does not have bearings, just (I believe) two, large washers, which can be greased.

If your mast does have bearings, then a previous owner installed them.

This thread from the distant past may be of interest?
viewtopic.php?t=8285&hilit=Rotating+mast

[Russ]

The original OEM mast step used brass washers. Mine never worked well. I bought the BWY bearings. They have been working well since. Simple thrust bearings from a hardware store would do the same. Also if the bolt is too tight it will bind up.

I made my own bearings. Testing them now. I put the video up on YouTube I think. Inxeighs 26m or something like that.

Ix

Ix,

I couldn't find it. However, I did find this one interesting. Sorry for the thread jacking.

[Prospect]

Looks like BWY doesn't have the caps for the 2006 and older M's. Those years have a larger mast and no caps are available.

From their website

FITS BOATS FROM MID 2007 TO CURRENT. FITS 3" X 4.5" MAST ONLY. These will not fit any of the 3" x 5" masts that were used on the 2003-2007 26Ms. We are working on having a mast cap made for those extrusions. These are a custom made plastic piece made in small quantities specifically for Macgregor boats.

Anyone have an idea of an alternative and temporary solution that would work as a cap?

[Jimmyt]

Got any friends with a 3D printer? If not, you could make it out of fiberglass. Or, can you weld? Wood/epoxy would work temporarily. Lots of ways to skin that cat.

[Prospect]

Got any friends with a 3D printer? If not, you could make it out of fiberglass. Or, can you weld? Wood/epoxy would work temporarily. Lots of ways to skin that cat.

You're right. I think the way to go is to use wood and then cover with epoxy.

How is the cap attached to the top of the mast? Does the cap just sit there or is there a hole for a screw on the side of the cap?

[Russ]

My mast cap sits on top like a bottle cap and is pop riveted on the sides.

You could also take a piece of rubber like an inner tube and hose clamp it. Might look janky but would keep water and stuffs out.

[Ixneigh]

The original OEM mast step used brass washers. Mine never worked well. I bought the BWY bearings. They have been working well since. Simple thrust bearings from a hardware store would do the same. Also if the bolt is too tight it will bind up.

I made my own bearings. Testing them now. I put the video up on YouTube I think. Inxeighs 26m or something like that.

Ix

Ix,

I couldn't find it. However, I did find this one interesting. Sorry for the thread jacking.

Hmmm that’s odd. Frackin YouTube has gotten wierd lately. Maybe they took down the video, because it mentions huge ginormous balls!!

Oh yea, re: rowing a Mac, ferghettaboutit.

Those glorious balls are working really well though.

[Jimmyt]