a few useful mods/additions finished up....

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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
so many things that ive upgraded and modified on the boat this winter that its nearly a new boat.... ive worked on it, or a project for it every day since I pulled it out, (with exceptions for family time and traveling for work)....

it was all done on a budget as most of the materials I scrounged for and was able to build and create what i wanted. all the stainless, aluminum, and plastic work is my own creation.....obviously the electronics I had to purchase, but i bartered or sold other items to raise most of the money for them....

the GPS came with a "marine mount" that swivels and tilts but I had to make a swing arm for it so it could used in the cabin or swung out for viewing in the cockpit..... the custom arm and the mounting pad to the boat was cut out of delrin and an aluminum adaptor was necessary to get it to lay right.

the solar controller was shipped with a common steel mounting box. I didnt like it being steel so I got a 6x6x4 PVC outdoor box and cut it to 2.25"deep and then cut a hole in the lid to mount the controller in. I thought mounting it up where its dry would be better than mounting it down by the circuit panel.... if the bilge gets water in it, it could cause damaging condensation on the controller when its not in use, plus I can see it better.

I may have already posted a photo of the new fuel tank locker and folding fender holder. and the window in the hatch board is also great.....

you can see in the gps photo the strorage tube I added to store all the poles and boat hook mounted in the port bulkhead trim board, that goes back in under the gunwhale.

I built and added shelving in the head and salon area and more to come.

the higher stern rail will keep the solar panel out of the way and in direct contact with the rays..... the 120watt solar is the next and last thing that needs to be done before the season begins....

with the higher stern rail I had to raise the front boom support also, and added a stem with a self deploying anchor roller (anchor roller was a mis-cut reject that was purchased affordably and had to be modified/repaired to work properly).... you can also see the modified outboard mount. I got tired of the loud viberation of the original mounting when running the engine at half throttle, so I built it different and mounted it at solid points, rather than the original spot where the skin flexes so much.

there are so many more things that i have done but I dont want to overload the post with photos.....
I added a single handed mast raising system like I had on my other boat, that keeps the mast centered without baby stays.... I moved the galley forward... added support under the v-berth so it doesnt sag so much when your sleeping there(i measured the sag and combined with the initial sag, it was almost 3 inches with 320lbs of bodies up there) ..... sealed the rail..... successfully epoxy filled the delaminated deck core..... and more, but Im amost done..... I think:D
 

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Dec 7, 2012
515
Kittiwake 23, Irwin 43 .. Indianapolis / indianatown, fl
hello all

WOW is right.. i am so jelious right now... my Mac25 is covered up with a blue tarp and snow right now

i have a ton of projects to do also, but cannot work on them in the winter... toooooooo cold here.. i have to wait for spring.. oh wait, spring is here, and it is snowing again today... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH.....

i have sailboatitis and need my 'fix' of my sailboat and working on it.. i know patience is a virtue, but hell, i need to do some work on my Mac25 NOW.... if i don't get some of my projects done, i will not be sailing it next month..

sincerely
Jess
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
hello all

WOW is right.. i am so jelious right now... my Mac25 is covered up with a blue tarp and snow right now

i have a ton of projects to do also, but cannot work on them in the winter... toooooooo cold here..


sincerely
Jess
Heres what I did to beat the wintertime weather cuz it has been wet, cold, windy and nasty here also..... with freezing temps in between times.
I went to harbor freight and bought a 10x20 "carport" awning.... and a a 24x30 tarp. the awning was around $129 and the tarp was about $40...
I set up the awning to cover the back end of the boat and then covered the whole thing with the bigger tarp and pulled it forward to cover the front of the boat.
when I wanted better access to the outside of the bow, I would move the boat back under the awning so the bow was covered by "carport", and then I would slide the tarp back over the top of the whole affair to cover the stern.

it works well but i think it would be better and semi permanent to just have two awnings end to end and set over lapped with one another a few feet..... with side curtain kits. then access to the whole boat would be available all the time without moving or lifting the tarp...

but either way you go, if its enclosed enough a propane or diesel turbo/torpedo heater will warm it up nicely even in below freezing temps.
for the interior i use a reflective dish heater and it works well when the boat is bare of its upholstery so the heater can be moved out of the way and set anyplace....

MrBill_FFL, I will get some better photos of the anchor roller/stem fitting system I made..... and some of the mast raising system, of which there are a thousand+ posts on the subject already, but none like mine, which would work on any boat that is a candidate for a mast raising system to be installed on.
 
Aug 22, 2011
1,113
MacGregor Venture V224 Cheeseland
Heres what I did to beat the wintertime weather cuz it has been wet, cold, windy and nasty here also..... with freezing temps in between times.
I went to harbor freight and bought a 10x20 "carport" awning.... and a a 24x30 tarp. the awning was around $129 and the tarp was about $40...
I set up the awning to cover the back end of the boat and then covered the whole thing with the bigger tarp and pulled it forward to cover the front of the boat.
when I wanted better access to the outside of the bow, I would move the boat back under the awning so the bow was covered by "carport", and then I would slide the tarp back over the top of the whole affair to cover the stern.

it works well but i think it would be better and semi permanent to just have two awnings end to end and set over lapped with one another a few feet..... with side curtain kits. then access to the whole boat would be available all the time without moving or lifting the tarp...

but either way you go, if its enclosed enough a propane or diesel turbo/torpedo heater will warm it up nicely even in below freezing temps.
for the interior i use a reflective dish heater and it works well when the boat is bare of its upholstery so the heater can be moved out of the way and set anyplace....

MrBill_FFL, I will get some better photos of the anchor roller/stem fitting system I made..... and some of the mast raising system, of which there are a thousand+ posts on the subject already, but none like mine, which would work on any boat that is a candidate for a mast raising system to be installed on.

Awesome work - and I'm all about scrounging for stuff that will do the job rather than paying outrageous prices for items that say "marine" on them. What a racket. My time is more available than $$$$.

I will study your photos for hours be assured. Bow roller and gin pole set up definitely of particular interest. Those items are both on my immediate improvement list.

I've tried the heating the tent thing but find I can burn through the propane pretty quick and its just not in the budget to do it a lot.

Since the boat is STILL snow covered our living room looks like a rock climbers den - working on the running rigging and galley since the weather won't cooperate.

Are we ever really done??? finished? Complete?

Poor Sailors really must be jacks of all trades don't they?
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
I will study your photos for hours be assured. Bow roller and gin pole set up definitely of particular interest. Those items are both on my immediate improvement list.

I've tried the heating the tent thing but find I can burn through the propane pretty quick and its just not in the budget to do it a lot.


Are we ever really done??? finished? Complete?

Poor Sailors really must be jacks of all trades don't they?
i will be adding more photos to my album soon....

a diesel torpedo heater is way more affordable, and we are never done with the boat until we sell it.... but there is a time to work on it and a time to sail it. I dont interrupt my sailing season with trying to do work on it.....

i made a short video of the gin pole set up raising and lowering the mast but i should edit it. my system is not so much different than macgregors set up, but it stabilizes the mast completely at every point of mast elevation even when raising or lowering with the boat quite a bit un-level sideways, or for raising and lowering on the water with the boat rocking, without the need for babystays.
 
Aug 22, 2011
1,113
MacGregor Venture V224 Cheeseland
I will be adding more photos to my album soon....

a diesel torpedo heater is way more affordable, and we are never done with the boat until we sell it.... but there is a time to work on it and a time to sail it. I dont interrupt my sailing season with trying to do work on it.....

i made a short video of the gin pole set up raising and lowering the mast but i should edit it. my system is not so much different than macgregors set up, but it stabilizes the mast completely at every point of mast elevation even when raising or lowering with the boat quite a bit un-level sideways, or for raising and lowering on the water with the boat rocking, without the need for babystays.

I heard you the first time :p
 
Mar 25, 2013
39
Hunter 26 Ceasar Creek
Stern Railing Mods

I was checking out your stern railing mod and have also looked at an add-on radar arch on the other site. I am looking to do something similar on my '86. My question is this; I plan to relocate my mainsheet up on a raised stern rail and add a traveler. Are you moving the mainsheet as well? I would love to move it up out of the seating area so that we can utilize the corners (the admiral and I like to sit there on either side.
I have acquired a uni-strut car with stainless wheels / bearings and plan on using a section of hot dipped galvanized uni-strut as a track. Load on these is well above needed.
Has anyone else moved there mainsheet up above the stern rail??
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
I was checking out your stern railing mod and have also looked at an add-on radar arch on the other site. I am looking to do something similar on my '86. My question is this; I plan to relocate my mainsheet up on a raised stern rail and add a traveler. Are you moving the mainsheet as well? I would love to move it up out of the seating area so that we can utilize the corners (the admiral and I like to sit there on either side.
I have acquired a uni-strut car with stainless wheels / bearings and plan on using a section of hot dipped galvanized uni-strut as a track. Load on these is well above needed.
Has anyone else moved there mainsheet up above the stern rail??
just an FYI, stainless uni strut is readily available. im not sayin' you should use it but if your heart is set on it, it would be better than galvanized....

the problem with moving the mainsheet up on a rail is, the space it will invade there is more precious to me than the original location, and a track will not be a passive obstruction.... it will just be in the way when moving about the cockpit. we anchor out a lot and cook on the rail mounted barbeque and i like open cockpit space....
i am going to leave it where it is for now, but if I were to move it, I would definintly put it on a track at the lower part of the cabin bulkhead. there is a perfect spot there and it will be less intrusive.... except sometimes, for whoever is laying on the settee against the bulkhead when I need to tack.
 
Jan 6, 2012
5
MacGregor 26X Salem
Nice work man!! I'll bet it's easy to scrounge for metal when you're next door to Airport Steel eh? Let me know when you're ready to sail, I'm in the same town as you.

JT
 
Jul 29, 2010
1,392
Macgregor 76 V-25 #928 Lake Mead, Nevada
HI Centerline: Guys like you and Sumner should be building and selling some of this stuff. My skills are not that great. Did you build the Aluminum insert for the gas tanks. Been trying to figure out how to make one out of glass for years and I think you have the right idea. How do you keep tanks from sliding out when you heel over. Great work! A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour endless amounts of cash.
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
HI Centerline: Guys like you and Sumner should be building and selling some of this stuff. My skills are not that great. Did you build the Aluminum insert for the gas tanks. Been trying to figure out how to make one out of glass for years and I think you have the right idea. How do you keep tanks from sliding out when you heel over. Great work! A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour endless amounts of cash.

Yes, I did design and build it. I was going to have it made, since ive been so busy with other stuff, but the welding shop wanted $330 to do it....

To keep the cells from sliding out... the divider in the center is only 4 inches deep and i plan to use a bungie cord to go behind it and attach to each handle of the fuel cells... i also made a light gray sunbrella cover to go over them that would probably hold them in short of a knock down, but the bungie method will be more secure.

i thought a long long time about how to build a glass one.... but couldnt figure out what to use for a mold.... i finally figured it out, but i thought by the time i made the mold and layed it all up, it would be quicker to do aluminum.... and it was fast once i got going on it.
its thinner than a glass one would have been and it installed easier.

the real BIG plus other than getting the fuel out from under foot is the locker/ insert can be removed to access the fittings when necessary.
Rochelle ended up back in the laz area twice before the addition of the fuel locker, when we re-bedded the fittings and the first time she was eager to go in and hold the hardware while I worked on the outside..... the second time in, not so much:D

and I didnt have to remove any of the foam as i was able stack it neatly in there after cutting the hole to make enough room for the insert to fit.
 
Jul 29, 2010
1,392
Macgregor 76 V-25 #928 Lake Mead, Nevada
Thanks for the update. Good Job. Had you considered having it powdercoated white?
 
Oct 21, 2010
350
Macgregor 26S, "Myuna" Brisbane, Australia
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MrBill_FFL, I will get some better photos of the anchor roller/stem fitting system I made..... .............................
Hi Centerline,
You have some great mods there:). My neighbour has one of those PVC frame structures over his car and I can see I should have purchased one for my boat when it is home being worked on - save continuously cleaning the mould and dirt off the boat.

I had a look at your self deploying anchor in your album - I noticed from your album you had a similar arrangement on your Mac 21. Just one question - did you make that whole set-up yourself or is part of it some already marketed equipment? - if so what brand?
 
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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
Hi Centerline,
You have some great mods there:). My neighbour has one of those PVC frame structures over his car and I can see I should have purchased one for my boat when it is home being worked on - save continuously cleaning the mould and dirt off the boat.

I had a look at your self deploying anchor in your album - I noticed from your album you had a similar arrangement on your Mac 21. Just one question - did you make that whole set-up yourself or is part of it some already marketed equipment? - if so what brand?
the anchor roller itself was purchased. it was a reject that was mis-aligned and had one of the sets of holes in the wrong location.... I got it cheap off ebay...
its stainless steel and i think if I did it again i would use a first quality one...

my thoughts were that I was going to modify it anyway, so why pay full rate for something im going to cut up?.... but to all came together so well that a first quality one would have worked great.... with a little less "fixing"

its the stem fitting that i built that the roller is mounted to that brings it all together and allows it to work as slick as it does...... and puts the roller out far enough that i have no fear of the anchor getting into the hull in rough conditions.
I have so many more photos to upload but havent gotten to it yet....:)
 
Oct 21, 2010
350
Macgregor 26S, "Myuna" Brisbane, Australia
..................its the stem fitting that i built that the roller is mounted to that brings it all together and allows it to work as slick as it does...... and puts the roller out far enough that i have no fear of the anchor getting into the hull in rough conditions.................
Really nice stainless work you have done Centerline:). I assume you must move the rode straight into the anchor chocks as some as the anchor is deployed?
 
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