I'm in the UK and I had a 1989 26D for 10 years. Like you I did many repairs and modifications and my two boys grew up with sailing in many different places due to us being able to trailer it around. The boat was not made well and was a bit flimsy but we had some fantastic adventures. Eventually I sold it and bought a bigger more solid boat. I still have a soft spot for that old MacGregor and will never forget it. Good luck with yours.
Thanks Mark! We've had plenty of fun so far on ours, but I understand we won't be sailing any oceans with her. I hope to get my kids into sailing the same as you-- they've been military brats for quite a while, so the ocean hasn't exactly been accessible to us. Now that we're here, though, I want them on the water as much as possible. I hope you enjoyed the new boat just as much!
I'll try and document everything! I've done a bunch already, but I was smart enough to record myself for most of it. The carb cleaning was fun and easy, recabling was tough. I'll probably be patching my sails soon, too, unless I can get a free set (hah!). Much to do!!!
Just bought a 1987 26D with a 2-year-old 9.9 hp Tohatsu that's in pretty good shape 5 days ago. Still have to go pick it up in Tuscon. My brother went to Phoneix inspected and towed it to his home. Has pop-top cover in good shape, performance rudder, 2 foresails, spinnaker, 100-watt solar panel with deep cycle batteries. It does need some cleanup and improvements but excited to get it back to Arkansas. Only sailed a 16ft cat many moons ago and can't wait to learn. Also looking forward to what you do to your boat. Thanks for videoing your journey.
Congrats on the purchase! It's exciting. Sounds like yours is close to what I have, save the upgrades. Just installed a 50w solar panel and charger in mine this weekend. We may upgrade or add more someday, but for now 50 will keep her topped off. Glad to hear you'll be enjoying a Mac! They're so much fun.
@@trailersailoradventures6138 I like George Cav's add on of the water heater. Would make my fiancee happy. Fun finding all the Mac lovers and what they do to their boats.
I recently Purchased an 89 Macgregor 26D also! Mine is in dire straights. Plenty of interior/exterior work to be had. I am curious to see a full tour of yours.
How much did you buy the boat for? I would think your new whale-tail on the motor will help when the boat is porpoising in heavy chop, I think I might try that too. I bought a fixer 26S and this past summer was my first with it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lGpMisByGpY.html
Wow your boat was in much worse condition than mine! Great video! I got mine for $5400 USD and the inside looks familiar. The old owner threw out the beds, so I just purchased some foam and will be cutting it today. The thing was full of mildew, the plumbing has been gutted, the electrical mess is awful. I'm slowly fixing her up though-- just put a 50w solar panel on my stern rail today that will sit over the engine and will be running the electrical for it sometime soon. It's so much fun fixing it up, hopefully I can get mine to look like yours soon.
