Boat almost ready for the loop

[ris]

Exterior of boat. We added a life rail with 1 rail at the original life line height and a second rail at 32 inches. The uprights are about 1 1/4 inch diameter and fit right over the original posts. Purchased from Rail Makers in CA. We did this as there is very little room walking between the dodger and the rail. Almost fell over the low 16" lifeline on a bouncy day. The added height is much safer.(we are sailless for this trip). This also allows another higher lifeline going forward to pull the anchor.



This is a view of the cockpit with me standing on the ladder in the hatch. The cushions are dry fast foam and a very open weave fabric that has a plastic like feel to it. Material from Sailrite. You can pour water straight threw this foam it does not hold water, it passes straight through it.



Going inside here is our new Natures Head toilet. Also the new faucet. We also put a led light in the head. The door is being repaired at this time.

[dlandersson]

Which loop? There are several.

[ris]

Hopefully I will be forgiven for these next three pics. This is nearing the end of a 1 year overhaul. None of the stuff inside is an original idea of mine, the ideas came from the great folks on this website. Not sure who I borrowed from but thanks. My wife did all the cushion covers and the clothes storage pockets.
This pic is looking forward standing at the base of the ladder. Inverter under table, unit on table has 3 drawers with inside dimensions of 9" wide and 6" deep, there will be a 12 volt plug in and a plug in for 2 usb devices in the top. We will also put a fold up drink holder on each end. The fabric on the sides forward of the table are 7 pockets per side for clothes.(chinook idea) The wood under the bed at the end of the walkway area is the v- berth extension that is storage accessed by lifting the aft end of the bed.



This pic is sitting on the v-berth looking to the rear. You can see the vhf radio with ais, the mic is near the top of the companion way. The DC panel is nearest the steps, and the AC panel is to the right. We put velcro strips in the rear storage area and put down some very thin carpet that sticks to the hook part of the velcro, it was a remnant from home depot.



This is the galley. Propane stove, bar sink, area above dishes for small stuff including setting cell phones that can be plugged into the usb ports on the left of the dish holder, on the electrics board.

[Herschel]

ris, This is a really nice layout. I like the way you have expanded the V-berth allowing you to keep the table up for meals, nav, and whatever, plus the nice storage and USB outlets. I am assuming you have a full enclosure for the cockpit for really inclement weather?

[dlandersson]

Nicely done. My compliments.

[NiceAft]

My compliments.

You have thought about, and then put into action, many things.

When is the launch date, and from where? Is it the Great Loop you are refering too?


Ray

[Sumner]

Congrats, you guys did a great job of making the boat more livable. I can't wait for your journey to begin,

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Seapup]

She looks nice and comfy. You guys have put in a ton of thought and work into her, be proud I will be on the look out for you as you pass by coming north.

I know you are going trawler mode for the excursion and mentioned previously leaving the rudders at home & doesn't look like any are in the pic. I would really suggest reconsidering though and at the least stow one away for if you change your mind.

[Tomfoolery]

I know you are going trawler mode for the excursion and mentioned previously leaving the rudders at home & doesn't look like any are in the pic. I would really suggest reconsidering though and at the least stow one away for if you change your mind.

I would, at the very least, make one or two stub rudders, even if it's out of cutting board, or even marine plywood, sealed at the very least, but glassed may be better. My boat is much more stable and easier to control with one rudder in, but wanders all over the place with none. A couple of stubs, maybe a foot into the water, has got to be better than nothing, along with a little CB, and a foot into the water isn't going to cause issues unless you're already scraping the shallow CB or even the hull.

I think some folks here have experimented with that, so maybe a search would prove fruitful.

[ris]

Yes we are starting the great loop on the 2nd of Apr. We do have a full enclosure. We do not have rudders. We have practised docking without the rudders but with the center board about 1/4 of the way down and even with a little wind we both can dock ok. We just approach real slow. The 50 degree turning radius port and starboard from center, of this motor really makes a difference. I need help with hooking up my garmin chart plotter to my standard horizon ais radio and my ray marine auto pilot. Boat, you must be much better at ciphering those instruction books than I can manage. If any of you who have done this would be willing to talk to me, pm me and I will call. I really need help. All that nmea 0183 has my head aspinnin. Wires are RX in and TX out, + and -, different color wires on each device. Those wire diagrams in the radio book are spaghetti to me. So if you have a good understanding of this stuff please give me some help. As the wine cooler guys said "Thanks for your support"

[Highlander]

U could make a set up like the short stubby rudder they were left down all the time even when powering wot
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... 010010.jpg

here they r in the up position
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... 010004.jpg

J

[Herschel]

We have practiced docking without the rudders but with the center board about 1/4 of the way down and even with a little wind we both can dock ok

There are two operative words here "little" and "OK". After 12 years of Mac26X operation including a 300 mile jaunt from Sanford to Jacksonville and back and St. Pete to Venice and back, I would want to be prepared for "a lot" of wind, and I would want the docking to be "good". But, I know you have this thought out and feel confident. You are certainly welcome to leave you rudders with me here in Orlando, and if you change your mind, I'll ship them to you. You can pay me back in pizza, and it will be totally confidential. No "I told you so's" on the board!

[Seapup]

I need help with hooking up my garmin chart plotter to my standard horizon ais radio and my ray marine auto pilot

If you have the GX2200 take a look at this link. The 2200 is slightly different wire system than their other AIS radios since it uses its own GPS data.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-elec ... ookup.html

The last post is what I used for Garmin plotter to the GX2200, you only need to connect 2 wires.

GX2200 - Garmin

Gray - Violet
Green - Black

[81venture]

Wow..I really like your interior photos... That is what we are in the process of doing to our now until one day we do the loop.

Let us know if you are near NC we'll try to swing out to visit

cheers

[tp56ihs]

Love the interior. I have a 1995 26x and with retirement 6/1, I plan to spend much more time on the boat. I am at Wrightsville Beach, NC. When you get up this way give me a pm. Maybe I can follow you North for awhile.

Take Care,
Wind Wager
Tom