Last I checked Seafoam is between 10% and 20% isopropyl alcohol. It's effects on fuel lines is different than those caused by ethanol but neither is good for rubber. It's possible that is what aged your primer bulb prematurely.

The place which did it is having problems with their help, only I didn't know that when they gave me the proposal. The guy is a sailor but didn't neg the Macs, and we chatted a bit. He's a decent enough guy but the shop, I later learned, is moving to another location, so some workers are busy with ...

That is an amazing transformation. It's hard to believe it's the same boat!

I think you just got a bad bulb. I don't think I've every had less than 15 years on a fuel line or bulb.

I'd look for something similar to the cable boot that came on the boat.
https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/h002-1v0.htm

Wow! That is amazing! I can't wait to see the next set of pics.

I'm glad you finally got it to the ramp. I hope you find just the right motor at a great price!

Thanks for the update. If the winds were around 28 knots when you snapped that picture then you've verified one of the data points on my polar. I don't do much downwind sailing so I've never had a chance to check that particular one. Personally, I've always suspected that some of the downwind polars...

Gotro wrote: ↑Fri Nov 14, 2025 10:19 am Fast sailing in Texas south of Corpus Christi in the icw

That's significantly over hull speed. Tell us about how you were rigged and the conditions.

I'm on board with putting in a winch to make the job easier if that is what you want to do. Some folks have added a 2:1 segment to their 26X lifting line or their rudders. Even though I'll be starting my last trip through my 60's in a couple of months I've never felt that either were difficult to li...

Me too. In more than 50 years of boating, the only time I've fogged my engine was when I found myself anchored or occasionally sailing in an area where the perpetually moist air here has been cooled to its dew point. Does that mean I've been fogging my engine in the winter and not even realizing it?

'Fess up. You slowed that video down. A 26X swings at anchor waaaaay faster than that!

Hello Brian and welcome to the forum! You've found the best resource for understanding and maintaining your boat. You can consider us an interactive "Chilton (or Haynes if you prefer) Manual" for your journey. Russ has already pointed you to your owner's manual and the resources page and I...

JamesToBoot wrote: ↑Tue Nov 11, 2025 6:17 am But I hit a bit of a hiccop:

Yeah, but it was a cute one! Congratulations!
(And they are near the top of a very short list of things that are more fun than sailboats!)

Sailboatdata says that your centerboard weighs 50 pounds but if you weighed yours then we go with your numbers.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/macgregor-26s/