1988 Mac 26' water ballast and freeze damage question

[kayaknsail]

I will be purchasing a sailboat very soon. I intend to buy used and there are many things I am not sure about when it comes to checking the boat out and what to look for other than some of the obvious. I know an aged boat comes with many parts that are in need of repair or replacement, but all of what I have read does not deal with issues that pertain to the water ballast holding of MacGregor boats.
The boat I am interested in is a 1988 MacGregor 26'. I live in Eastern Washington where the temperatures get to freezing, and the sun is plentiful. Fading of surfaces and unprotected materials such as sails and covers and wood trim is expected. I suspect that freeze damage is a concern, particularly in the water ballast hold.
How do I check the water ballast hold area for cracking or other freeze damage? What should I be looking for? Questions I should ask the current owner(s)?
Thanks for the help.
Jim

 

[CalebD]

I'll assume that we are talking about a MacGregor 26 S model sailboat (10 HP outboard max.)? I believe it is the X and M models that can take a 50 HP motor and are half motor boat and half sailboat. At least the older model 26's are fully a sailboat.
Regarding the water ballast chamber: freezing damage to the water ballast chamber should not be an issue if the previous owner (PO) left the drain plug open during the winter. When the boat is trailered the drain plug is normally opened to release the 1000 pounds of water making it easier to tow.
In the unlikely event that a water ballast boat was stored for the winter with the chamber full of water I would expect solid ice to compromise the fiberglass (especially in fresh water) which might be visible inside the cabin or on the bottom of the hull. If there has been any delamination of the fiberglass you may be able to hear a difference in sound when tapping the area with the handle of a screwdriver. Solid FRP will make one sound while delaminated FRP will make quite a different sound.
My biggest worry with the water ballast boats is if there is any kind of leak from the ballast chamber into the cabin it would allow the boat to fill up with water. You could check this by putting the boat in the water and filling up the ballast chamber and waiting.
I think it is unlikely that the ballast chamber would have been left with enough water in it to cause damage.

 

[Sumner]

Since the boat is an '88 it would be a D vs. an S, but would still have the same tank as far as I know. What leads you to believe that there might be a problem? As was mentioned in the other post if the boat was stored on the trailer the tank should be empty or even if there were a gallon or two in it there should be no damage.

If it was in the water with the tank full then it would have to get cold enough inside of the boat to freeze that water in the tank also. I know it gets cold there, but I would still doubt that would happen and if it did that it would freeze so solid as to damage the tank.

If you suspect at all there could be damage and even if not try and get the boat in the water. Make sure first of all that the bilges under the seats and under the v-berth and aft-berth are dry before getting the boat in the water. It is very common to have some water in the boat in those areas from rain water leaking into the boat on the trailer or on the water (this can be fixed). Then check those areas once on the water. If there was a leak I would suspect it to show up very quickly.

One thing to be aware of is that if the plug for the ballast tank where you check it is old it might not seal good and you could get some water out of there. Also if the washer under the handle where you open the ballast tank is old it could leak there. Both of these are available from BWY cheap and will fix any problems there.

I wouldn't really recommend filling the tank on the trailer, but saying that ours is full when we first pull up the ramp as it then drains. If you do fill the tank on the trailer don't leave it that way as then there is a lot more pressure on the bunks and you could put some warps in the hull possibly if left for any long period of time.

If you are going to be sailing in shallow water at all have you considered the S? There have been a couple times we have been thankful that our centerboard swings up .

The best of luck and we love our S,

Sum

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[kayaknsail]

Thanks for the information. This gives me a better feeling about my potential purchase. I hope to be able to look at the boat this weekend. I will approach the purchase better armed now.
Jim

 

[jrichardson30]

I just purchased my first sailboat...a 92 Mac26S. I have put it in the water 4 times now and did my first overnight this past weekend. I noticed that there was about 1" of water in the bilge under the settee, the v-berth and a little under the galley. I pumped it out with a hand pump. Probably got a total of a gallon or so. Where do I need to look in order to find the leak? Could it be around the ballast? I saw Sumner's suggestions about the valve gasket and the plug...and didn't think about that until just now. I guess it's possible that under sail and all the rocking, there could be water leaking out around one or both of those, but of course I didn't think to check that with the boat in the water. I know it wasn't from rain water. Supposing that is not the source of the leak, is there anywhere else I need to check? Around the swingkeel maybe? It is out of the water and in my driveway right now. BTW, Sumner, I love your site and appreciate all the detailed drawings/instructions on the modifications you have done. I am still very green at this but hope to fancy my boat up a bit as I have time and resources.

 

[Sumner]

......... Where do I need to look in order to find the leak? Could it be around the ballast?...

Ours was leaking a small amount from the hose that the up-haul from the centerboard goes through under the sink. I tightened the clamp and added a second and clocked it 180 degrees to the first and that stopped that.

Also check the sink drain line that goes thru the hull and make sure those clamps are tight. The outlet is above the water line, but not during heeling.

I doubt it is the ballast tank. I've only heard of one or two of those leaking in all of the posts I've read in the last year and a half.

Glad some of my stuff is of interest. Be sure and post pictures when you start your mods,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links