Newbie needs advice on 26S

[jpatter]

I have gotten a lead on a macGregor 26S 1992 in my area. Is there any things I should check out that a non MacGregor owner should look for. This will be my first sail boat always have had powerboats. The price seemed fair and it wasn't advertised. Actually, it ended up being an old high school buddy having the boat. Just wanted to find out what to ask and check for. Any suggestions will be appreciated and thanks in advanced.

Jpatter

[MD Dunaway]

The 26s is a fairly simple design. Most things can be repaired or replaced. However all those little things cost money. Look at the sails. Look at the mast, boom and stays. Look at the pullys (blocks) and the ropes that pull up the sails (halyards). Look in all the storage compartments. Take a flashlight and look in every area you can get to. If possible take all the cushions out and really give it a thorough evaluation. Look at the keel for damage. I've heard some stories about leaking ballast tanks. I think this is uncommon but can be a disaster to fix. This may be the one thing on a 26s that is more trouble to fix than it is worth. The way to check for this would be to put some dye in the tank and fill the tank through the air vent hole. Let it sit overnight and check all the compartments for leaks. It is very important to check the trailer. As important to go for a tow as for a sail. A boat of this age will have some things that need repaired. The main thing is to understand what is going to need fixing and what the cost is going to be both in terms of money and sweat. If there are questions feel free to PM.

[JoeVacs]

I agree. That's all good advice. One more thing. If you are a DIY guy look at the boat through those eyes, but the price should also reflect that. As in if it's cheap enough to justify the repairs. If your the kind that just wants to go sailing and don't want to fix anything, then look at it through those eyes ( and go back to land sports ).
Just don't allow yourself to get any nasty surprises.

[skeedaddy]

I have a 1992 Mac 26S. I bought it early last year. Here is a list of things I've had to work on as a result of buying an older boat.

Trailer Work: new guide posts, lights, tongue jack, bunk boards, rubber accessories (required for my boat)

Sail Work: new genoa (required for my boat)

Running RIgging: all new (but this was my preference, it was not required)

Standing RIgging: likely new next season

Rudder Work: new glass covering a hole (required for my boat)

Motor: new motor (died on second sail) (required for my boat)

Cushions: new covers (wife's preference...not necessarily needed)

Tiller: new tiller (two, i busted the first one with machinery used to drill holes...DOH) (required for my boat)

Fuel: Decommissioned old tank, filter and lines. Installed simple 3 gallon portable tank with new lines running to new motor (definitely required)

Electric: All new save the breaker panel (required for my boat)

Mast: the base is pretty knarled up, but i haven't replaced. if my mast fails, i'll take it as a cosmic sign that it's time to buy another boat

Interior Lighting: all new (required for my boat)

BBQ Pit: b-day present and i love it

I basically overhauled her as she was in pretty poor condition. it's much cleaner and it smells better which means my wife and kiddos enjoy it more. I have some more glass work to do on the body of the boat. I have hull blisters to deal with one day. No major leaks from the bottom, but I get water from the top when it rains.

This boat is wonderful to me and is basically my sailing university for the next boat. I'm learning alot more about boat maintenance and preference than I ever did on my Hobie Cats. I had no experience with fuel, electricity, or fiber glass. i'm thinking of refurbing the hull in the next season or two just to learn how to do it and to get rid of the blisters. I am not worried about racing her as i know she is slow. But that's okay with me. I had my fill of racing hobies.

I notated what was required just to get up and running. I knew what i was getting into when i bought it. I wanted something that needed some work so that i could get the education i've needed to be a better sailor!

I don't know if that helps, but i hope it does. I just thought i'd chime in since you're looking at the boat i have.
Bryan

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

My prior boat was a 92-S, and the only problem I had concerned the center board. The board had to be removed so that I could reinforce-fiberglass the cracks caused by the pulled through cable, which was broken by the prev. owner. I did the work myself, easily done with the correct tool. I had an 8 HP Merc. pull start. I had to recharge the house battery after overnighting, and extended use. The boat had the original main sail & hank on jib, and amazingly, they were still in fine shape when I sold the boat 3 yrs ago.

I put my depth/fish finder transducer in the laz compartment, siliconed on the floor. It worked fine.
Fuel stored in the Laz compartment is a no-no, the fumes will enter the cabin area.

But, no serious problems. Its a fine boat.

[DaveB]

Were is your area for sailing? If it's saltwater the Trailer is probably shot, if it's fresh water only, still ck it out. The S is a fast boat compared to the X or M beating to windward, off the wind it will still do better than a X or M but downwind the X will outperform 40 degrees eaither side depending on wind velosity.
You only need a working jib ( 150 genoa will get you in trouble )for my low wind area unless you are a speed freak that needs to heel over 25 degrees .
The S will put you at 20 degrees heel very quickly in 10 knots of wind beating with working jib and Main but will stay between 20-25 degrees there up to 14 knots unless you get a big gust and even than it will round up and luff the sails.
I have always liked the S and if it had 6 ft. headroom without raiseing hatch I would buy...except ..than it would be a X.
I just can't bend over down below but those who can, is a great boat and excellent sailboat for speed and pointing.
The boat is very simple and close look at centerboard and doing a good eyeball look over everything should tell you the story. If you don't know how to survey a boat than get a professional survey for a couple of hundred dollars.

Dave

[jpatter]

Thanks for all the great advice. If the weather breaks here in Central MS I plan on going and taking the boat out with the owner for a sail. I have always been good with my hands as I have restored two Queen Anne homes and make jewelry on a daily basis. So, dirtying my hands is not a problem. Luckily, the boat has been in dry storage for the last four or five years. They started a family and just couldn't juggle the time to sail. Have done a little fiberglass work before making radio control airplanes and high power rockets then covering with fiberglass and/or carbon fiber. Never have glassed anything large though. The owner says the hull is in great shape with just a couple of small blisters, but seeing is believing. Hmm, do you think I could mount some of my old high power rockets and the side and make a bat boat? LOL

Jpatter

[skeedaddy]

Dave B is absolutely correct about the genoa and Louis is correct about the fuel.
I have the 150 Genoa and generally run with it furled and with no main. This keeps it fairly quick and comfortable for the wife and kids.
When I have my Hobie buddies on board with life jackets on, we'll run the main and unfurl the genoa to have some fun.
There are a couple of areas where air comes back and forth between the cabin and the areas under and behind the cabin. You have to keep those areas clean and dry to keep the smell down in the cabin and i wouldn't keep fuel in the Laz when spending time at anchor.