A pop top would be wonderful on the macgregor 26x. It would turn it from a 5'9" graze to 6'4" + comfort. I've heard the conversion was detailed on another mac26 forum, I looked for 4 hours and couldn't find it. Does anyone know of a link or someone I can talk to who has lifted the top of a sailboat and has a good theory on how.
Anyone heard of a Pop-Top conversion for a mac 26x
- Thread starter thebigpulse
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I don't like them much either although I did enjoy learning to sail on my M26. It was the early model that was before they put big motors on them. I know it is a totally different boat now.
Still, I meet many people out there "doing it" with their M26x's that love their boats and have a great time with them. I can't help but think you are being a bit of a dickhead to insult someone else's choice like that. He did not ask you if he should buy a M26.
I was reading one of those other sailing sites last night where everyone was trashing inferior boats and having a great time. After a couple of pages of that one post came up by (the legendary) Bob Perry that talked about some kid that didn't know what he was doing in his POS boat. Bob took the trouble to meet the guy and invite him over for drinks and dinner. It turns out that the person (who really did not have a clue) was a real human being out there on the water trying to figure it all out.
What's up with your screen name? Does that describe what you are all about or are you just ashamed to express those opinions with your own name attached?
One mans POS is another mans treasure yacht! Being on the water is what counts however you do it! I had a Mac 25 and thought it was the best POS I could afford at the time! I still remember those fun times, but have moved on 4X's, Hunter 21, O'Day 25, Catalina 30, IP-26 now...
Makani Koa III
IP-26 MK II
Tampa, FL
Makani Koa III
IP-26 MK II
Tampa, FL
There are a lot of people standing on the dock, frowning, putting down a POS boat- while the captain of that boat is smiling as he sails by.
Back to your original question
I did see a pop top conversion on one of the older M26's in a slip at Ganges, BC. It is not exactly what you are dealing with but he had removed the original pop-up and glassed-in a permanent "deck saloon" that was about the same height as the original. It seems like you would have to add the step of cutting the companionway hole larger (if needed) then glass in a box. The one I saw even had windows.
I would be carefull about adding much weight up that high though since the macs are a bit tender in a blow.
I started with a M26 as I said earlier, that got me and the admiral hooked on being out on the water and it is the boat that is responsible for us getting into sailing. We went from that to a Hunter 30 then a Catalina 350 and now (finally I think) a Catalina 42. Whatever you are sailing, just get it out there often and enjoy.
I did see a pop top conversion on one of the older M26's in a slip at Ganges, BC. It is not exactly what you are dealing with but he had removed the original pop-up and glassed-in a permanent "deck saloon" that was about the same height as the original. It seems like you would have to add the step of cutting the companionway hole larger (if needed) then glass in a box. The one I saw even had windows.
I would be carefull about adding much weight up that high though since the macs are a bit tender in a blow.
I started with a M26 as I said earlier, that got me and the admiral hooked on being out on the water and it is the boat that is responsible for us getting into sailing. We went from that to a Hunter 30 then a Catalina 350 and now (finally I think) a Catalina 42. Whatever you are sailing, just get it out there often and enjoy.
Mac26 Pop Up Cover
Have you checked the chandlery? Hunterowners.com sells one for the Hunter line. I'd forst check this link:
http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.htm?fno=0&group=141
I'd try to find out who makes this cover. It may fit your boat. Alternatively, since the company makes them to order, they may have already done one for a Mac26.
Last year I ran across a late model Mac26 that had a full camper canvas. He had it custom made.
Have you checked the chandlery? Hunterowners.com sells one for the Hunter line. I'd forst check this link:
http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.htm?fno=0&group=141
I'd try to find out who makes this cover. It may fit your boat. Alternatively, since the company makes them to order, they may have already done one for a Mac26.
Last year I ran across a late model Mac26 that had a full camper canvas. He had it custom made.
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I think it would be an interesting excersize.Some foam, cloth and resin, plus the hardware and a few hours work would yeild a very nice pop-top.
Personally I don't care for pop-tops, seems that 90% of the pop-top boats I've seen really only add headroom to a very small area. My old portager pop-top, actually only had -maybe- a two square foot area that was really useable with the top up, most of the raised area was just in the wrong place to take advantage of. (i'm only 5'6, so 5'9 is plenty good!)
Ken.
Personally I don't care for pop-tops, seems that 90% of the pop-top boats I've seen really only add headroom to a very small area. My old portager pop-top, actually only had -maybe- a two square foot area that was really useable with the top up, most of the raised area was just in the wrong place to take advantage of. (i'm only 5'6, so 5'9 is plenty good!)
Ken.
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