Hi, I just bought a Macgregor 26 S and it needs a little work. The first thing I need to fix is the forward hatch before Winter and the rain. It is leaking because the black weather stripping (for lack of the correct word for this stuff) underneath the hatch has disintegrated. Can anyone steer me in the right direction to get something to replace this? thanks, Lori
forward hatch weather stripping
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Home Depot/Lowes
Lori, I'm refurbishing my 26S and you should be able to find appropriate weather striping at any Lowes/Home Depot. Just measure the old and buy a new lot that matches. It should be adhesive or you can apply a marine sealant/adhesive. I'm replacing my rub rail and just ordered 1 from Blue Water Yachts for $1/ft (50 ft. lenghts) in case you need to do this too. Kevin B
Lori, I'm refurbishing my 26S and you should be able to find appropriate weather striping at any Lowes/Home Depot. Just measure the old and buy a new lot that matches. It should be adhesive or you can apply a marine sealant/adhesive. I'm replacing my rub rail and just ordered 1 from Blue Water Yachts for $1/ft (50 ft. lenghts) in case you need to do this too. Kevin B
Is it the same stuff?
Is the Home depot stuff the same thing or is there some better marine oriented material for the gasket? thanks, Lori
Is the Home depot stuff the same thing or is there some better marine oriented material for the gasket? thanks, Lori
NOT GOOD
The self adhesive weather strips sold in hardware and home supply stores like Lowes or HD are NOT good for a permanent repair on the boat. First, they are of a foam that is not encapsolated, so doesn't resiste sun well, so will crumble. Second, the adhesive is not very strong, and becomes gooey in the sun and heat so it migrates out of alignment. Best to get an automotive weather strip from a body shop, car dealer, or online at JC Whitney Co. Adhere the new encapsulated weather strip with 3m weather strip adhesive, or a good exterior grade contact cement.
The self adhesive weather strips sold in hardware and home supply stores like Lowes or HD are NOT good for a permanent repair on the boat. First, they are of a foam that is not encapsolated, so doesn't resiste sun well, so will crumble. Second, the adhesive is not very strong, and becomes gooey in the sun and heat so it migrates out of alignment. Best to get an automotive weather strip from a body shop, car dealer, or online at JC Whitney Co. Adhere the new encapsulated weather strip with 3m weather strip adhesive, or a good exterior grade contact cement.
RE: Forward Hatch Weahter Stripping
This must be a routine problem... I just bought a 1985 25 and the stripping is gone on the forward hatch (as is the closure mechanism). Someone had previously used the residential grade stuff to try to replace the stripping and just as Night Sailor said, it's falling off and leaving a gooy mess behind.
This must be a routine problem... I just bought a 1985 25 and the stripping is gone on the forward hatch (as is the closure mechanism). Someone had previously used the residential grade stuff to try to replace the stripping and just as Night Sailor said, it's falling off and leaving a gooy mess behind.
thanks for the help
Thanks for the information. I will remove and measure the present weather stripping and order the good stuff online. Lori
Thanks for the information. I will remove and measure the present weather stripping and order the good stuff online. Lori
Just put new weatherstrip on my '93 26S...
You will want to use what is called "closed cell" foam weatherstripping. "CLosed Cell" just means water won't soak into it causing it to disintegrate. I got mine at Home Depot, it will say closed cell foam right on the package. I just tried to find the closest match to the size I needed. So far it works great. The self-adhesive seems to work fine. Steve H. Lake St. Clair, Michigan '93 26S
You will want to use what is called "closed cell" foam weatherstripping. "CLosed Cell" just means water won't soak into it causing it to disintegrate. I got mine at Home Depot, it will say closed cell foam right on the package. I just tried to find the closest match to the size I needed. So far it works great. The self-adhesive seems to work fine. Steve H. Lake St. Clair, Michigan '93 26S
closed vs open cell
That is interesting because I was going thru my local hardware store and they had closed and open cell weather stripping. The open cell was the stuff that was recommended for boats and the closed cell was recommended more for home stuff. The open cell looked much more durable than the closed cell. I know, cushion-wise, you want to use closed cell. Lori
That is interesting because I was going thru my local hardware store and they had closed and open cell weather stripping. The open cell was the stuff that was recommended for boats and the closed cell was recommended more for home stuff. The open cell looked much more durable than the closed cell. I know, cushion-wise, you want to use closed cell. Lori
RE: Closed cell/Open cell
Interesting how you can run into so much conflicting advice. I talked to a few people who all said go "closed cell". The self stick adhesive I had some doubts about but decided that if it came off, I could reapply it with a marine grade adhesive. It's only been on for one season, but I also live in Michigan where we don't get as much heat as other parts of the country so maybe I'll be lucky. Steve H. Lake St. Clair, Michigan '93 26S
Interesting how you can run into so much conflicting advice. I talked to a few people who all said go "closed cell". The self stick adhesive I had some doubts about but decided that if it came off, I could reapply it with a marine grade adhesive. It's only been on for one season, but I also live in Michigan where we don't get as much heat as other parts of the country so maybe I'll be lucky. Steve H. Lake St. Clair, Michigan '93 26S
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