MacGregor 26 (1993)

[AbuSiyam]

Hello I am from Bahrain- Arabian Gulf country.
I bought a macgregor 26 this week. It looks in perfect condition and well maintained.
I went for the first sail and I found out that there is water in all the storage area where your have a vision to the hull. I removed all the water, but again within an hour it is back! I guess that, there is a leakage from the water ballast system. Any one can help me on this subject?
Regards.

[kmclemore]

It's not necessarily from the ballast tanks, AbuSiyam. It is actually quite rare to have a leak in the ballast tanks - in fact, I can't think of a single instance. I suspect something else.

The first thing I would check is your hoses which go from your sink drains to the through-hull connections (the fitting where the hose connects to the hull and allows the sinks to drain overboard)... if these are leaking, every time you heel over under way you will likely take on water and that will end up in the "bilge" (that's the proper name for that storage area where you can see the hull). Another place you can take on water is at the hose connection from the motor well to the back of the transom... similarly, if this is leaky you'll take on water every time you're in a following sea.

Basically, check all the places in the hull which have been drilled for something (like those through-hull holes) to ensure they are OK. This is the most common source of leaks while underway. For example, did someone install a transponder for a depth gauge? If so, check it carefully for leaks.

[Catigale]

As-salam Alaykum

I believe the 26S model has the swinging centerboard like our 26X models - and a Stainless steel compression pole between the trunk and the deck

On my 26X, that pole corroded and let water into my boat.

Check all your through hulls and enjoy it, and welcome to the forum.

[mastreb]

Is the ballast tank vent hole plugged? If you don't know what it is, it may be open and spilling water into the bilge.

[AbuSiyam]

Wa Alekom Al Salam...
Thank you all for your replies, i will check all your points and i will come back to you.
thank you all.

[AbuSiyam]

It was raining yesterday, i went to inspect your suggested hoses and fittings (ALL IS OK), but
I found the same amount of water in the bilge and under the the sink (WHER THE BETTERY IS INSTALLED) also I saw few drops of water on the wall coming from the junction of the hull and the top part of the cockpit. I guess it might be leaking from the top or the side.
The water is not salty.
Any good idea how to check if the junction is seald or how to dismantle it?
Thanks

[peterix]

If it's not saline discard the bottom and check all other, example: blocks, windows, anything with a screw on the deck. You also can stay inside and ask somebody to use a hose to determine the exact point of water entry.

Regards

[mastreb]

Likely you have a leak where the deck is joined to the hull underneath the rub rail. This area catches rain and directs it into the boat if it's no longer sealed correctly. You can determine this by wetting the side of the boat just above the rub-rail with a hose and seeing if you have leaks in. If you do, you will need to remove the rub-rail, re-seal the deck joint all the way around the boat, and replace the rub-rail.

Search this forum on "rub-rail" for how-to articles. It's something anyone can do, but can be a lot of work. You may be able to put it off by using a sealant on the top of the rub-rail all the way around, but that will open up any time you bump something and you'll be leaking again in the next rain.

Another possibility is leaking at the chain plates. This can also be tested with a hose, and is somewhat easier to deal with, they just need to be re-packed with butyl tape. This is another thing to search for on the forums.

[AbuSiyam]

Yes, the leack from the joint and I will reseal it with marine sealant.
Thank you all for being helpful an cooperative.
Regards.

[Madelon]

Before you proceed to reseal deck-hull joint: I used to get substantial amount of water in the bilges that came from the base of the chainplates where the shrouds attach (you'll find several posts with this issue). Please check my mod at http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1628

In addition, whenever I found water in the battery compartment, that was usually associated with choppy conditions. Water was surging from the hose encasing the centerboard cable that pulls it up under the galley. I prolonged that hose upward and solved the problem.

Good luck,
Albert Fischer, s/v Madelon (Mac 26S).

[AbuSiyam]

Thank you all for your valuable replies, they really helped me to find out from where the water is coming. I found out the hull&deck joint is not good any more.
Soon I will post photos and explain what I did.
Regards

[AbuSiyam]

Finally I re sealed the hull and deck joinet it was 3 days work... after washing my MiniMac I found out I did not solved any issue... it cMe to my mind what Albert Fischer (Madelon) said.
I examined that with garden hose and flash light... yes it is the problem and it is the source of water in the bilges... never mind at least am happy that I did it .
Now I must design the aluminum plates
Thank you for your advise

[AbuSiyam]

here are the photos of repairing the hull & Deck joint and what was under the rubber reail