I am now wondering if this flexible butyl tape putty may be a better/simpler solution for the common Mac 25 leaking sidestay chainplates compared to the other solutions posted on the Mods here.

Mac25

My '82 Mac 25 collected quite a bit of water in the hull during this winter storage. I will correct the chainplate leaks and other problems before next winter storage. Still, I'd like to install a bilge pump. Seems the best access to the lowest part of the hull is located under the seat in front of ...

I know what you mean about the boom vang & poptop conflict. I haven't done anything about it because I want the vang to work properly. The way I've come to view it, when I'm seriously sailing, the poptop stays down; when I'm out for a quiet sail with the family, the vang's not in use. This is t...

Hey guys, I was back on my '82 Mac 25 boat today. To be clear: there is FLEX when I stand on the port cockpit bench. There is FLEX when I walk on the foredeck in front of the mast. Hard to imagine there was ever any wood there. Can you tell me FOR SURE which areas have wood core, and which don't? Th...

Thanks guys. I had no idea there were wood cores in those places. Makes sense now, and I now see how the previous owner failed to properly bed the through-deck bolts he drilled. If I opt to do this repair, I will use CPES and follow these well-written instructions: http://www.boatbuilding.net/articl...

Seeking Mac25 boom vang arrangement that will work with the pop-top up. Is it as simple as moving the mast attachment point far forward?

Thanks,
Mac25

Regarding my (new to me) '82 Mac25: When standing on the port cockpit bench, or when walking in front of the mast, I feel a little flex under my foot, and hear a crispy-crunchy-crackle in those areas of unsupported fiberglass. Should I be concerned? The '78 Venture 25 I sailed on last week shows no ...

AS others have pointed out, a heeling hull produces more resistance through the water. However, within certain limits, the negative effect of heeling (increased resistance) is more than compensated by reduced leeway. (see Marchaj, Sailing Theory and Practice , 1964) Thus, the boat is "faster&q...

The optimal heel angle is the heel angle that has the lowest hull area in contact with the surface of the water because it reduces drag. So 15 degrees gets you on "half" of the hull compared to flat. Higher amounts of heel digs the hull deep into the water and increases drag. Matt This ma...

According to this document regarding sailing performance of the Macgregor 25: http://macgregor.sailboatowners.com/images/kb/pdf/1363.pdf "Maximum heel angle is 10 to 15 degrees, more or less and the boat will sail slower." Is this true? If so, should it be reworded to read," OPTIMUM h...

I just bought a 1982 Macgregor 25. Same thing: all the sytrofoam has been removed by previous owner(s). I am a very new sailor, and would like all safety precautions in place. I am thinking: get about 4 used twin-bed waterbed matresses from Craig's List. Inflate them into various parts of the hull. ...

I just bought a 1982 Macgregor 25 last week. I have a few questions that I could not find answered elsewhere: 1) What is the easiest way to step the mast single-handed with minimal or no added gear? I have already read the method described in the owners manual, and I am still struggling a bit too mu...