Mac 26 wiring-did this mess come from the factory?

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Dec 6, 2003
295
Macgregor 26D Pollock Pines, Ca.
Well, most of the snow has finally melted off and I have started in earnest the re-wiring of my '89 Mac 26D. Pulled the stove out to get better access to the little switch panel. When I was finally able to get at it, I couldn't believe what I saw! Seems the whole boat is wired with lamp cord and 3M squish-on connectors! (the kind sometimes used for temporary trailor light connections) You've got to be kidding me! Completely ridiculous!! I'm wondering, is this a factory wiring job, or did some previous owner yahoo kluge this mess together? If anyone who got their Mac straight from the factory and has the same type of Mickey Mouse (or is that Mackey Mouse?) wiring I'd sure like to hear about it. Are the newer models also wired to such low standards? Needless to say, I took the whole thing out with a big pair of cable shears and chucked it in the trash. The wiring that remains will be used as 'pull-strings' to fish in the new and proper cabling. None of the previous system will remain upon completion of the new system. The wire was all non-tinned and corroded, along with the panel, connectors and everything else. Definitely not a 'marine grade' wiring job! Anyhow, I'm really curious to find out if this was a factory job and if later models had the same quality of wiring. All responses truly appreciated! Thanks, Jeff
 
W

William

yep..it's standard

Jeff I have an 85 Mac 25..I love the boat, but, I alo winced when I look at the the glob of wires. I put in a new panel and added some lighting and a stereo so it was much easier to re-wire everything. I don't kow about the newer macs. I never had a problem with the wiring, it just looks bad.
 
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MrBill

bow light?

Let me know what you find when you pull new wire for the bow (red/green) light, please. (I posted a question on this a few weeks back). the wire is factory, and I rewired my 88 26d w/ boat wire. (found good prices on ebay). My understanding is the bow light has a 'trailer connector' inside the bow railing. so it needs to be removed.(I have not done this yet). All my lights still work, but the boat will soon change from freshwater only to primary saltwater.... so this will need to be replaced soon. ps: Boat owners wharehouse had a nice panel w/ volt meter for about $30.
 
Feb 3, 2004
12
- - Lake Martin, AL
I was shocked!

I just purchased an '86 Mac 26D about a month ago and I believe only one of the lights worked when I got it. So I decided to re-wire everything. When I took the power panels out, I was amazed at the wiring. I ended up tearing everything out of the boat, it was a mess! I don't even know anything about wiring and I knew this was not good. I have completed putting 3 new cabin lights in and hopefully in the next week or two, get the new running lights installed as well as the stereo. I did the exact same thing using the existing wiring to lead new wires through. Be careful though when doing that. Some of those wires are run through very small holes which don't allow extra wiring. Good luck, Brooks
 
B

Bounder1948 "Melissa Lee", 1996 26-X

It gets worse.

I thought the previous owner made the mess ! From what I am hearing, the Mac factory should hire someone who knows how to wire boats ! I will be tackling the rewiring job later this spring...
 
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