I just bought a Mirage 26. Sailed a Tanzer 22 before. Before she was covered for the winter at our club, I removed the cockpit hatch covers as they and other places in the cockpit showed small crazing in the gelcoat. I took them home, sanded them and applied two coats of marine epoxy paint. They look good. However when I had them off I noticed one was 6 pounds heavier (30 vs 36 pounds). Could that just be inconsistency in the mould or could there be water in the core of one via the hinge screw holes or the crazing? Did not look like any of the crazing was deep enough to leak. Any one have the same experience or any suggestions? Thanks
Cockpit hatch covers
- Thread starter Hugh19083
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are they the same size
Set them out in the sun for a while so that they get quite warm and then place a small piece of window glass over the screw holes. If there is moisture in the core the glass will fog. If you can store them over the winter in a very warm place they will dry out some. A twenty percent difference in weight probably is the result of differences in dimentions. If it were water it would amount to three quarts of water.
Set them out in the sun for a while so that they get quite warm and then place a small piece of window glass over the screw holes. If there is moisture in the core the glass will fog. If you can store them over the winter in a very warm place they will dry out some. A twenty percent difference in weight probably is the result of differences in dimentions. If it were water it would amount to three quarts of water.
Thanks
I just measured the hatch covers and the only difference is the heavier one is almost a 1/4 inch thicker than the other. Just more fiberglass I guess. I'll still keep them warm and dry this winter and check the weight difference again next spring. One other unusual thing. My (new to me 1979 Mirage 26) has companionway doors that are made of thick plexiglas. They are the standard size two sliding door set but are aprox 1/2 inch plexiglass rather than wood. They have been machined to fit the sliders and seem to fit quite well. The person I purchased the boat from said that's what they were when he bought her four years ago and he thought they were standard. There are two other Mirages in our area but both are covered for the winter. Any Mirage 26 or 27 owners out there that can tell if they are original or someone's attempt to get more light into the cabin maybe?
I just measured the hatch covers and the only difference is the heavier one is almost a 1/4 inch thicker than the other. Just more fiberglass I guess. I'll still keep them warm and dry this winter and check the weight difference again next spring. One other unusual thing. My (new to me 1979 Mirage 26) has companionway doors that are made of thick plexiglas. They are the standard size two sliding door set but are aprox 1/2 inch plexiglass rather than wood. They have been machined to fit the sliders and seem to fit quite well. The person I purchased the boat from said that's what they were when he bought her four years ago and he thought they were standard. There are two other Mirages in our area but both are covered for the winter. Any Mirage 26 or 27 owners out there that can tell if they are original or someone's attempt to get more light into the cabin maybe?
keep posting
I agree Hugh: there's not much out there for us Mirage owners--I keep looking though. I'll be interested to here how your boat takes to water this coming spring. Let me know what you find. I bought mine last July and did quite a few day sails, but no over-nights yet. My big project in September was to scrape the hull of 5 coats of hard anti-fouling, inch by inch with a hook scraper. The hull was pretty good when I got down to it. I'd been out of the water for 6 days by the time I put new paint on her--wished I'd invested a couple more days to epoxy the boat, in hindsight. I had no hull blisters but there were a few small ones on the rudder. I found this guy who sells new rudders for our boat so rather than do the fill work in the spring I might just buy a new one! http://www.philsfoils.com/Designs/Mirage.html Best, mav
I agree Hugh: there's not much out there for us Mirage owners--I keep looking though. I'll be interested to here how your boat takes to water this coming spring. Let me know what you find. I bought mine last July and did quite a few day sails, but no over-nights yet. My big project in September was to scrape the hull of 5 coats of hard anti-fouling, inch by inch with a hook scraper. The hull was pretty good when I got down to it. I'd been out of the water for 6 days by the time I put new paint on her--wished I'd invested a couple more days to epoxy the boat, in hindsight. I had no hull blisters but there were a few small ones on the rudder. I found this guy who sells new rudders for our boat so rather than do the fill work in the spring I might just buy a new one! http://www.philsfoils.com/Designs/Mirage.html Best, mav
Great looking boat
Mav Really great photo. Have you named her yet? My 26 is now named "AEOLUS" (Greek keeper of the winds) I'm told. I want to change it to Wind Dancer but just found out there is a very old (very nice) wooden sloop at Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club in Saint John with that name so I settled for "River Dancer" which recently has been shortened to "River Dance" . I'm a little superstitious of the name change thing but I think I'll chance it with an appropriate ceremony next spring (with lots of Rum of course). Just back from a few days in Boston. Spent a night in Portland, Maine each way to take advantage of the "Boater's World " and "West Marine" stores there. Can't get some sailboat stuff locally. Very, very cold in Boston and some snow to come home too. Can't wait till next spring. Really anxious to get "River Dance" uncovered and in the water. I expect I'll have a lot of questions at that time. Best of the Season Hugh
Mav Really great photo. Have you named her yet? My 26 is now named "AEOLUS" (Greek keeper of the winds) I'm told. I want to change it to Wind Dancer but just found out there is a very old (very nice) wooden sloop at Royal Kennebecasis Yacht Club in Saint John with that name so I settled for "River Dancer" which recently has been shortened to "River Dance" . I'm a little superstitious of the name change thing but I think I'll chance it with an appropriate ceremony next spring (with lots of Rum of course). Just back from a few days in Boston. Spent a night in Portland, Maine each way to take advantage of the "Boater's World " and "West Marine" stores there. Can't get some sailboat stuff locally. Very, very cold in Boston and some snow to come home too. Can't wait till next spring. Really anxious to get "River Dance" uncovered and in the water. I expect I'll have a lot of questions at that time. Best of the Season Hugh
had the same problem
Hugh I had the same problem on my 29 Mirage, ended up making a new companion way door, i had a 26 Tanzer before,very forgiving boat, I plan to go south next fall with my 29, good luck and fair winds
Hugh I had the same problem on my 29 Mirage, ended up making a new companion way door, i had a 26 Tanzer before,very forgiving boat, I plan to go south next fall with my 29, good luck and fair winds
Happy Holidays
The best of the Season to all Mirage Owners out there. Merry Christmas to you and your famlies. May the New Year bring good health, good fortune and fair winds. Hugh and Madonna 1979 Mirage 26 "Riverdance"
The best of the Season to all Mirage Owners out there. Merry Christmas to you and your famlies. May the New Year bring good health, good fortune and fair winds. Hugh and Madonna 1979 Mirage 26 "Riverdance"
the boat will be named
Hugh, funny you mention the name: we just picked up the lettering a couple days ago. Is it too obvious to name a Mirage "Oasis"? I'm probably not the first but it works on a few levels. It's almost warm enough to apply the lettering here in Vancouver as the pineapple express rockets through here at 12 degrees C. (mid fifties) Merry Christmas to all Mirage captains; safe passage in '06.
Hugh, funny you mention the name: we just picked up the lettering a couple days ago. Is it too obvious to name a Mirage "Oasis"? I'm probably not the first but it works on a few levels. It's almost warm enough to apply the lettering here in Vancouver as the pineapple express rockets through here at 12 degrees C. (mid fifties) Merry Christmas to all Mirage captains; safe passage in '06.
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