1992 Mac 26 S (Classic)

[skeedaddy]

I bought my boat as a blank slate. I started with a new Genoa and a lot of new running rigging. I've been through two new tillers (broke the first one during installation because i'm a dork - DOH). I am currently running new lights and wires now and am waiting to use my new cushion covers throughout when it warms up and the family comes sailing again. I've got some glass work to do and a keel guard to install. And my trailer needs work to say the least. I'm going to try to replace the standing rigging before next fall. My boat leaks here and there but I figure a good rain followed by a good bildging is just like a good bath. Got a rod holder mounted BBQ pit for my b-day and, if i can come up with some extra cash, i'm totally getting some kind of dingy as I know my kids (and their daddy) would get a kick out of it.

My questions are for those of you who have the same model boat as I do:
1. What are the top one or two mods you have done on your boat in your own humble opinion?
2. What is your favorite part of owning an older Mac?

I'm fishing for ideas and maybe cool aspects of the boat that i have, thus far, overlooked.

Thanks!

[Sumner]

...........My questions are for those of you who have the same model boat as I do:
1. What are the top one or two mods you have done on your boat in your own humble opinion?
2. What is your favorite part of owning an older Mac?......

Congrats on the boat. We are sure you will love it like we do.

Let's start with #2: For us the favorite part is the freedom that you have to go places far.........

Our Trips to...

.............., far away pretty easily with it and that it is a pretty darn safe boat and has been easy to sail (this time last year we had never sailed).

Now for #1: This is a hard one since we have done a lot to the boat and are very happy with all that we have done and it is the combination of all that we have done that has resulted in a boat we can now go out on for long periods of time and be comfortable.

Ruth's list:



#1 Moving the toilet out of the head into the cabin. I won't go into a lot of detail on this one .

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ide-1.html

#2 Modifying the pushpit rail and adding to the swim ladder so that it is much easier to get on and off the boat.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ide-4.html

Sum's List:

#1 Taking the head out and enlarging the V-Berth so that I fit and we both fit comfortably. We like the v-berth over the aft berth since it has the vent and it is cooler in the summer and warmer in cold weather due to it being more closed in than the aft berth. The added storage for clothing all the way around it has also gone a long ways towards making the boat more livable.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ide-5.html

#2 Solar Panel and on-board generator. I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, so having dependable electricity makes my life better and the combination of these two items does that.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-22.html

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-13.html

Both of us:



#1 Finishing the cabin off so that it is easy to prepare meals as we always anchor out and are usually on remote lakes. Now all of the silverware, pots/pans, plates and anything else it takes to prepare meals is handy. No more going in and out of plastic tubs.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-17.html

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-13.html



2. Ruth spent a lot of time modifying the stock pop-top cover and it has really paid off and works way better than what we got with the boat.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-19.html

#3 This little table that will sit on the companionway steps or on the counter and is there when you need it and never in the way since it isn't fixed. We didn't think something as simple as this could make things so much more enjoyable using the cabin for eating and/or working, but it does.

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-19.html

There is more that we've and you can find most all of it on.....

Our Mac Pages

We have a number of new mods planned for the boat this coming spring and I'll be posting those as usual.

The best of luck with your boat. You will enjoy the mods and the sailing,

Sum and Ruth

Mac Links

[Highlander]

Sumner.

Very Nice Boat , Loved your pic's wish I had the time to do what your doing . You remind me of James V. with his 26M just enjoying life to the fullest ,, Some Guy's just got all the luck ! keep posting these nice trip pic's

Thx J

[Sumner]

Sumner.

Very Nice Boat , Loved your pic's wish I had the time to do what your doing . You remind me of James V. with his 26M just enjoying life to the fullest ,, Some Guy's just got all the luck ! keep posting these nice trip pic's

Thx J

Thanks and I've spent a lot of time looking at your Mac and the modifications you've done. I'll never catch up with you on your sails and rigging . I want to get my anchors out of the tubes up front and will have some questions for you one of these days, but don't want to mess up this thread.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to...

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

[Kelly Hanson East]

First time I got to browse through your pages Sumner...that is an impressive collection of workmanship, planning and execution.

Ive eyeballed the Sailrite machine for sunbrella work a couple of times - I know in the NE anyone who can do canvas work like Ruth can name their price...

[Sumner]

First time I got to browse through your pages Sumner...that is an impressive collection of workmanship, planning and execution.

Ive eyeballed the Sailrite machine for sunbrella work a couple of times - I know in the NE anyone who can do canvas work like Ruth can name their price...

Thanks and I read that to Ruth and she appreciates the comment, now I'm just worried what it is going to cost me



She would love to have one of those larger Sailrite machines and I thought she was close to getting one, but there isn't enough work yet to do to justify it, so the old Singer 99 is going to probably have to do.

She is going to make a mosquito netting to go over the boat for Florida, and still has to do the cushions inside and out and a cover for the main and finish the anchor sail and...................

c ya,

Sum and Ruth

Our Trips to...

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

[skeedaddy]

Wow. Thanks guys.

Are there any others?

[Kelly Hanson East]

Skeedaddy - can you tell us how you will use the boat

day sail only
overnights
extended cruise (>3 days)

Number of crew

Venue (lakes, coast, or limited offshore)

*that will help us focus.....

[skeedaddy]

Good Questions!

I'm an X-Hobie Cat'er that moved to the mono-hull so my kids could sail with me.
My crew is my beautiful wife, six year old daughter, and five year old son. My wife and daughter love riding the bow. My son loves fishing for sharks (...in lake lewisville....with a jib sheet ).

All of our sailing thus far has been on the local lakes for the day only. I have all new cushion covers inside and out, so the wife and I plan on trying an overnighter late this spring or early summer.

I normally just run the Genoa on the furler with the wife and kids, that way single handing is the easiest and there are no concerns of a boom strike. Although, if it's hot, we've been known to run with the boom tent up for the shade with the boom made fast so it won't swing around. Handling gets a bit more difficult, but the wife is comfortable and that is more important. We also take friends out with us, with their kids. And sometimes, my old Hobie buddies and I run it hard to see how far over we can sail it and for how long.

We have a camper potty in the closet (my kids named it that). I have a couple of anchors for a good swim. I've laid some painted plywood in the full berth for support when we do eventually sleep there. That layer of fiberglass made me nervous and I didn't have any covers for the little storage trays. The plywood helps make it more comfortable. We've got a bbq on board now for cooking. If you look close, there are rod holders for my daughter's Barbie fishing pole and my son's Spiderman pole. And my wife had a 9hp installed becuase the original died. On my to-do list are the little solar panel and a keel guard that I've purchased, and a better set of vertical poles on the trailer. I plan on doing some fiberglass work this summer when the wind dies down and installing my tiller control.

I'm just curious what some of the simple, effective, fun mods are that some of my peers have performed.

I was impressed, to say the least, by the previous posts, but I don't have that kind of time, unfortunately. I'm wondering about gear that makes it easier or more fun for the kids, simple mods that make little things more easy, and don't require radical makeovers.

[Kelly Hanson East]

A swim ladder is important for the kids of course. If you do get a dinghy, try to save your pennies until you can afford one with a sailing kit..there is nothing like watching your kids sail away on their own...at age 8...

[Sumner]

Good Questions!...................... I'm wondering about gear that makes it easier or more fun for the kids, simple mods that make little things more easy, and don't require radical makeovers.

It looks like you guys are having a great time already with the boat . I'm surprise one of the or guys hasn't suggested that you sell the S and get one of those, so you could tow the kids on a tube .

If you haven't already go to the links page below and look at what a lot of other S and D owners have done to their boats. I got a lot of ideas from other people's sites and even some from the and guys.

I also got ideas from looking at the pictures of different MacGregors for sale on the following site........

http://www.sailingtexas.com/cboats99macgregors.html

The best of luck and you will like staying out on it and a lot of guys and gals do even with their kids. Check out Walt's site in my links ( Sea Eagle).

c ya,

Sum and Ruth

Our Trips to...

Our Mac Pages

Mac Links

[Kelly Hanson East]

Im already an owner, sorry for the misdirect...

[madguy]

My best mod to date is our home made lazy jack....works great and didnt cost loads.





Madguy

[Doug91mac26s]

Cangrats on your new boat! I'm sure you'll love it!

It's hard to pick only two mods, but I think #1 is installing roller furling with a new 150% Genoa. And #2 is electrical system, moving the two batteries from under the galley sink to under the v-berth, freeing up a lot of convenient storage under the sink, and rewiring the 12v system, new circuit breaker panel, 110v shore power, etc.







The list of mods I've done to my boat is pretty long, and I still have many more mods planned, time and money permiting.

Currently I'm working on the galley, and the head, I'll post pics when I'm finished.

You can check out my photobucket if you're interested.

http://s33.photobucket.com/home/doug91mac26s/allalbums