MacGregorSailors.com

Hi Folks,

I tried to search through mods and past posts but wasn't able to find quite what I needed.

On our "new to us" 2005 I'm eager to install 1 or more automatic bilge pumps. I consider this an essential safety item and can't imagine sailing without it. I haven't found mention of the best places to place bilge pumps on the 26M, so thought I would ask the many experts. It doesn't appear to me that the many low places where water could collect are connected, so multiple pumps might be in order.

Proper wiring is typically fused but non-switched (allowing the float switch to switch pumps on automatically regardless of human error); the panel switch serves as a manual override to turn the pumps on regardless of the float switch position.

Your thoughts?

Curious item:
Although we haven't had the boat in the water yet, I've used a wet/dry shop vac to pull a LOT of water out of the bilges (two 5 gallon buckets!). Water was mainly in the battery box (which is missing the cover) and rear berth. I assume this location is a function of how the boat is sitting on the trailer. Can't tell if the water came from from someone letting the boat sit open in the rain, leakage from decks, or last time it was afloat. Oddly, there appear to be zero mold issues and the water is fairly clean, so my gut instinct is that the water hasn't been in there long, even though our boat had been sitting for some years. This is just a related curiosity I thought worth mentioning. We are getting the inside dried and cleaned out before we spray the deck and fill the water ballast to check for leaks.

The problem with the Mac is there is no real bilge. There are many separated compartments.

The good thing about these boats is there are no thru-hulls to leak. This is the first boat I've owned that does not have a bilge pump.
I've come to believe that if my boat has a catastrophic incident, a bilge pump could not keep up. Since there are no thru-hulls to worry about, I don't feel the need for an automatic pump. However, many Mac owners have installed them.

Most Mac owners find bilge pumps useful for nuisance water. Finding the source of the water is probably better than trying to keep pumping it out.
Some of the most common sources are the shroud chainplates, steering and motor controls in the motor well. Search this site for ideas to seal those leaks.

Many people locate the bilge pump in the battery area under the steps.

If I were to get a bilge pump, I'd probably get a portable one that I could move where needed and throw the hose over the side.

Also, bilge pumps never pump totally dry. so there is always some left that has to be manually sponged out.

One of these would probably work better for this.

My experiences are with a 26S and currently an X.
Sounds like recent water entry. Also check front hatch was closed fully, and we’ll sealed, and cabin hatch can let in some wind driven rain (depends on direction)
Ongoing leaks at chain-plates may show up as staining on cabin walls.
The self-loading water gun is very useful! Be sure to get at least two, cause you’ll find they have other fun uses!

Beckson makes the Thirsty Mate hand bilge pump. Like the water cannon but with an output hose. West Marine has their own brand. Good because you can use it on whatever compartment has picked up water.
Chip V.

The factory built in bilge pump is behind the battery compartment. Already in the aft bead section.

@russ
My has a through hull that comes from the sink and motor well. Unfortunately it is below the water line...

kurz wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:05 am The factory built in bilge pump is behind the battery compartment. Already in the aft bead section.

@russ
My has a through hull that comes from the sink and motor well. Unfortunately it is below the water line...

Mine is in the same place as Kurz. The topic has been hashed over several times on the forum and there have been several different approaches. There are also several different opinions on the value of a bilge pump in a Mac X or M. I've got a Rule 1100 gph in mine just aft of the batteries - beneath the rear berth. I'm thinking motorwell and factory thru-hull are the two most likely culprits for a big water intrusion. If I'm wrong, it will have to flood enough to overtop the ballast runners that form a dike around this area...

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=26735

kurz wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 11:05 am
My has a through hull that comes from the sink and motor well. Unfortunately it is below the water line...

You are correct. And as Jimmy pointed out, it's been a discussion point. With ballast out, it's just above the water line.

I still don't worry about that thru-hull leaking. Although I really wish Roger installed a shut off valve.

My keelboat did have water intrusion from the shaft. A bilge pump was necessary. I don't see the need on a Mac.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never seen a drop of water in my bilge. I jinxed it didn't I?

Good luck for xou. My thru hull is all time below water line. Also when ballast tank is empty.

Maybe it sits deeper or my is heavier, don't know.

I got water inside thru the bilge pump hose. Roger forgot to put the hose high. So when backing the Mac, water entered the hose.......

These boats are famous for leaking. If it has been trailered and sitting uncovered, or if someone washed it recently (especially around the rubrail), there will be water in the bilge.

I installed a rule low profile.. 2 of them now.
I put a wood wedge.. and fiberglassed it to the hull under the rear mattress.. one each side of the boat. This way when I screw down.. Its into the wedge of wood.. not the boat itself.
Also makes the unit lay at a better angle.

The hose runs up the side of the boat (inside) loops around wellll above water line. then out the side using a thru hull.. and some 5200.
Its just a bit under the rub rail.. and about 18" or so from the stern.

I installed 4 independent bilge pump systems on my 2006 26M - 1 in the battery area, 1 under the aft port seat, 1 under the aft starboard seat and 1 (with 2 pumps) under the aft berth. Search on the FB Mac 26 page under Mark Coleman for pics and more details.

adudinsk wrote: ↑Fri Nov 05, 2021 2:43 am I

The hose runs up the side of the boat (inside) loops around wellll above water line.

Very good idea. Roger installed factory side the pump, but No loops up in the hose. Took me years to understand why I get water inside the boat...

I just looped it up as high as it could go.... used some foam with double back tape to lock it in place..does not move at all.


.. now to figure out why I have water in my oil... not the boat...
(think its thermostat and condensation)
will swap the thermo.. and do a full leakdown test... compression test)


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