MacGregorSailors.com

Hello everyone. I have now been the owner of a 26M for almost 24 hours! The boat needs some TLC and I am going to start with a new rub rail and a bit of fiberglass repair. When you guys look at this:
does it look cosmetic (i.e.: I can fill it in, sand and buff) or does it look structural (i.e.: I should cut it out and rebuild it). Other than that, there's a lot of work to do but I am excited to get out there and sail. Any additional advice on getting a good shine would be appreciated (I have read a lot of the material on here). Thanks in advance for any advice.

Lot going on there. Gelcoat (or paint?) cracking, lots of caulk or sealant atop the rub rail.

Since you asked about getting a good shine, I'm assuming you're talking about the cracking gelcoat.

If it's like that over the whole boat, you're looking at either new gelcoat or a marine paint job. Marine paint would be easier if you have to do the whole boat in my opinion.

If it's confined to that small area, I'd use gelcoat. I'd get all of the loose stuff off. Fill low spots with marine Tex (or a filler of your choice that's appropriate), and put gelcoat on. Get the wax-in gelcoat. Build up a few coats, flatten it with 220 grit paper, then wet sand with 400, 1000 grit, then polish it.

Lots of ways to fix it. This is just one.

Good luck!

Thanks Jimmyt. The caulk is all over the rub rail but that's coming off today and a new rub rail is going on (professional installation - not DIY). The cracking is only in a few (2?) spots. I'll fill and then touch up with new gelcoat. As I said, a lot of TLC needed so hopefully it all gets done over the winter in time for spring sailing.

Jolly Dodger wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:52 pm Hello everyone. I have now been the owner of a 26M for almost 24 hours!

Congrats on the Mac!

Extra cheese pleese.

This is what I used to repair the area around my centerboard trunk where the previous owner had a close encounter of the wrong kind. West marine had the smallest quantity and the color was close enough. You'll probably be able to see it on topside, but it will be better than what's there now.

Thanks Russ!

Jimmyt, that gel coat will come in handy as part of my winter DIY is to replace some of the cleats with new cam cleats so I will need to fill and patch the old holes.

Here's a pic after the first pressure wash:




Lots more to go!

Looks Great! Trailer appears in good shape, too.

The rubrail has been repaired and the boat has been through a few washes and rubs and is looking a lot better. I have also got her fully rigged up and the only thing missing now is the first sail out!

I do, however, have a follow-up question: my trailer tongue weight seems to be very heavy. Either the boat is sitting too far forward or the trailer wheels are too far back. Given that it is a 2014 trailer, I would think one of the previous owners would have noticed this. Perhaps I am just being overly concerned. I don't know if anyone can take a look at the above pic and offer an opinion? I'll try to get a pic of boat and trailer hooked up to my Jeep to better illustrate the weight distribution.

I've included a picture of the fully rigged and washed boat. I still need to adjust the shrouds; especially the port side upper but she looks a lot better with the mast and sails on!

Jolly Dodger wrote: ↑Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:23 am
I do, however, have a follow-up question: my trailer tongue weight seems to be very heavy. Either the boat is sitting too far forward or the trailer wheels are too far back. Given that it is a 2014 trailer, I would think one of the previous owners would have noticed this. Perhaps I am just being overly concerned. I don't know if anyone can take a look at the above pic and offer an opinion? I'll try to get a pic of boat and trailer hooked up to my Jeep to better illustrate the weight distribution.

Congrats on the new to you Mac! I don’t think this boats ever been accused of sitting too far forward on the trailer! (reference the Mac Bump). I think there ia a rule that Jeep owners don’t have to pay any forum cheese pizza dues. I would be interested in seeing the tow setup.

Trailer tongue weight should be about 10% of gross. Measurable with a heavy-duty bathroom scale. Our boat suffers the reverse problem, always trying to get too light.

Chip V.
s/v Sand Dollar