Acquired used boat from my neighbor…this is complicated to rig but excited to learn. Earlier boats were hobie 14 and 16, then a G-Cat. Cats are really fast - too fast for an old man or woman sailer (65++) Waiting on the grandkids to learn. Thanks for the content Matt - time saver. We are on Lake Murray in Chapin, SC.
I had a 26x around 2002, that we bought in Seattle. It had either a 60 or 90 hp outboard Honda on it. I think there were dual rudders. I hated the external fuel tank. The water ballast was great because it could sail pretty good with it flooded, and do about 20 mph with the ballast drained. I got tired of putting the mast up and down and ended up mooring it. Almost lived on it and would have if there had been more head room.
Water in the bilge is the source of the smell, more than likely. Look at the forums to figure out what is best for your budget on how to tackle the bilge water. I’d shop vac it out for a temporary fix and then look at the seals of the windows.
Hey bro nice fishing. Check out some of my older videos. I have one that is about 45 miles off port saint joe. And it is full of 20 plus pound red snapper and 20 plus inch vermillion. Good luck bro
When a sailboat rounds up like that, it is because the balance between the rudder and the sail is not correct (overpowered) Reduce the sail area by rolling in the front sail, taking a reef in the main sail, or doing both depending on the wind conditions.
Hey Matt - I had to replace a cracked head window as well. Got a piece of Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet, Black, 12" x 36" x 1/8" from Amazon for under $20 and using the old windows as a template cut a new window, sanded the edges and installed it. Can't tell the difference from the outside. If you search you can get it in dark smoke transparent for a few dollars more.
I'd guess the durables isn't ideal because you'd probably need something more flexible (a house doesn't have as many vibrations as a boat). I've bought some product used for trailers instead (but haven't had the time to tackle that project).
Thanks for the videos I'm always interested to see what you're doing cause I need ideas for mine too. My exterior is also very faded and worn looking I've never polished anything before but am thinking of trying to get some Harbor freight stuff and see how it works.
growing up, my dad owned a macGregor 26x. He had two of them. And i remember going out with him throughout the summers. As I got older, we stopped going and now he's too old to even want to go out. I want to pickup his old Macgregor and get it cleaned up so I can take him out. I love this series!
I used a surface mount tv cable chase from home depot and bent it with a heat gun to the shape of hull to hide the wires from the upper area to that battery compartment. Mounted with double sided tape. Its about 2 1/2in wide and about an inch deep. Holds lots of wires Also dont get the pyle speakers i just bought them for my macgregor with the reciever and when it did work my cell phone sounded better than the speakers then the pyle reciever broke they're not like they were.. Get a better brand
That's actually a great idea for the cable chase. I might steal that. As far as the speakers, I just bought the 200w pair of Pyle marine speakers. I'll use my existing radio which sounds decent. It's not a wakeboard boat that I'll be blasting music across the lake, so as long as they sound decent I'll be happy. Not trying to put a bunch of money in the stereo. I'll keep you updated in a future video.
How did you figure out which wire is which? I have a bunch of wires but I'm not sure what they connect to :( Is there a faster way than using an ohmmeter?
I started at the load (light, radio, etc) and traced each wire back to the fuse panel. I did use an ohm meter a few times and used long lead wires to check continuity to make sure I had the right wires. Just takes a little time and patience.
No link for the fan. I got it off of Amazon. Search for solar vent fan. There are several on there. I think mine cost about $40, but there are nicer ones for about $70-$80.
good idea for the hatch slide. mine is very loud and has worn through the gel coat. im gonna do the same. all those ugly hatches are actually from the factory, believe it or not. its where they stuff salvaged foam broken into pieces for floatation cramming as much as possible in those holes.
Matt, there are two questions you can help me with. First is the forestay. How are you connecting it to the bow after pully wheel and furler. I know how furler connects. Second how is the battery box connected so it does not slide around.
@@AdventureswithMatt What you are experiencing is weather helm and what you are going through is called "Rounding Up". Don't lift the CB but instead ease the main & foresail a small amount. It will take a little practice and some experiences but eventually you will get a feel for where the sweet spot is. When you are under way heeled over the CB will not lift because it is being forced against the side of the CB sleeve where it is mounted. Try adjusting the sails out a bit next time. Have fun!
I have a macx that I've completly stripped down and am building back up. It's so nice to see someone posting new videos of progress. guess I should do it too!
I have owned a 1995 26s for twenty nine years. Have spent hundreds of nights on it and love it. Many times I have said you would have to kill me to sell it.
Nearly the same list here. I added a waterproof toggle switch inline with the USB on the helm so I can turn it off if it's really wet or not going to be in use for a long time. Looking behind the factory power panel was fun, white zip wire with no color for positive or negative.
This list looks exactly like mine. Ive been working on it for a bit and have most of them done now. HaHa, my first trip out i drove the mast through the trees trying to back up to the ramp.seems ok , at the time I thought the mast was bent. People were yelling for me to stop and I just thought they were crazy. FYI for my lighting ive been using those tiny under cabinet light from Amazon , just cut off the transformer and they wire directly to 12v. They work great. Thats when i learned the mast is manufactured with a curve...........right?
I have just bought a 97 mac x also here in wash state. I have had a full day of on off sailing/ motor using 3gallons. Mine has the horrible (compared to the evenrude) tohatsu 50hp. Please keep the macgregor content coming, you seem to be dealing with all the quirks that i am.
I have a 97 26x. Mostly sail the San Juan's, puget sound, Souther California. Catalina Islands. I do plan to one day sail to the Bahamas, like you, perhaps a group sail. Long trailer to Fla from Salem Oregon. Guess I better hurry up.
Just subscribed and am looking forward to more of your videos. Very interested in your impressions/experience with the Mac26x. I’ve been looking to get into one myself.
I am on the Macgregor forum as Gotro . Like you I have a Macx .mine is a 95 model one of the 1 st 100 boats built . I have also made mods and that list will never be completed. The made a lot of changes on this model. Let’s chat I am headed to Florida at Christmas this year
I bought the same boat a year and a half ago and did quite a bit of upgrades. If you would like some suggestions or ideas I would be happy to share some pictures. I’m in south Alabama just above Pensacola FL.
I’m looking for any and all input I can on the M26x. I’ve been a traditional sailboat guy, and the more I look at the 26, the more sense it makes. Have you sailed/motored some, and could you tell me what you like best about it?
