I'm new to this website and to boat owning so forgive me if I'm being redundant. My husband and I recently purchased a 25' MacGregor that needs work and hasn't been on the water for several years. Both of us are new to sailing and boat ownership. Right now we are focusing on getting the boat in good working condition and we really aren't sure where to start! I just purchased a book called 'Fix It and Sail'. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions about where we might begin this project or maybe you know of other books or resources that are helpful? Thanks-
New Owner of a MacGregor 25'
- Thread starter lshilling
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There are so many places to start, but where I started long ago, was making a list of things you'd like to see. I cleaned my boat top to bottom, and found areas that needed fixing before I hit the water. One thing you can do before anything else is rig it, and de rig it... Rig it and De rig. Get comfortable doing that part first. As you are doing this, decide which one of you and your husband will be doing which job. As you are doing this, you will discover something that will need to be fixed or modified.
Once you two are good with that, then move on to bigger and better things. Make a list of things you see that need to be fixed, and another of things you would like to do to make it your own. For example, We decided that we needed to redo the entire electrical system. New wiring, and lights and fixtures. And we needed to redo the keel cable. I got to these right away. Other things we wanted were new cusions inside and out, and we wanted new lines.
I have so much more to offer, but I will get off the soap box and let others chime in.
One thing I can't stress enough.... Don't go overboard (no pun intended) spending money. Remember B.O.A.T means Bring Out Another Thousand. Also write in here anytime you have a question. THese people are great!!
Capt. Gregg
SV Passing Wind
Once you two are good with that, then move on to bigger and better things. Make a list of things you see that need to be fixed, and another of things you would like to do to make it your own. For example, We decided that we needed to redo the entire electrical system. New wiring, and lights and fixtures. And we needed to redo the keel cable. I got to these right away. Other things we wanted were new cusions inside and out, and we wanted new lines.
I have so much more to offer, but I will get off the soap box and let others chime in.
One thing I can't stress enough.... Don't go overboard (no pun intended) spending money. Remember B.O.A.T means Bring Out Another Thousand. Also write in here anytime you have a question. THese people are great!!
Capt. Gregg
SV Passing Wind
Welcome to the site. I'm a new Mac 25 owner and these people have been a great help. I currently have my girl dry-docked out back and am going thru her stem to stern. Like Greg said, my list is growing but am concentrating on structural, bottom paint and trying to figure out how the previous owner wired this baby!??! May have to completely re-wire...just don't want to be off the water too long. Miss it already.>><CaptTripps
Typical, it takes a woman to stop and ask for directions. 
As Gregg said, start with cleaning it it a good way to eliminate mold and find all things in need of repair. Here is a list of items I would start with.
Check your standing rigging for broken wires especially at the spreaders and ends.
Check your turnbuckle and other rigging for cracks or bends. Replace turnbuckle with a Johnson lever (makes setting up much easier there is currently one on Ebay).
Check all through hole fittings for signs of leaking especially at your first launch.
Check hoses and clamps at the winch cable and at the rear scupper hole.
Check the motor mount board. If it is still the old plywood one, it may look good but don't trust it, mine broke and I ended up fishing it out of the LA river, YUCK. Oh yeah tether you motor to the mount or rear stanchion.
Check your rudder hold down pin. To start with you can use a plastic bolt that will break if you ground it. They are available in the plumbing section at any hardware store and are used to hold down toilets. Later you may want to rig a hold down line for convenience.
Don't forget your trailer:
I replaced my front tongue 3x3 tube it was completely rotted out from the inside out after getting it home I was able to poke a 2'' hole that ran from the coupler to where it connects with the frame with a screw driver.
Check wheel bearing and repack or get bearing buddies and repack.
Check tires for side wall leaks, the tread may look new but the sun destroys the side walls.
Check your VHS if it is old or not working replace it. I ended up replacing mine and my antenna. Not horribly expensive but the reassurance of having a one button emergency hailer is comforting. There are varying opinions one mounted versus handheld. Personally I like having the antenna as high as possible, it increases your transmittal distance considerably.
For comfort:
I replace my 2'' foam with 3'' and covered with duck cloth. When and if I redo them I will cover with Sunbrella, although some of the other cloths presented on this forum look great.
Bring all lines to the cockpit not just for comfort but for safety reasons, especially if soloing.
A GPS is nice to have but for the first couple of years I used my handheld $125 Garmin Venture. I came in handy when returning from Catalina for the first time. I forgot to look back and memorize some landmarks at Long Beach harbor. I knew the launch was near the Queen Mary but couldn't see her behind all of the cargo containers. I was able to locate her as a waypoint on the Venture.
Best of luck and welcome to the forum.
Where are you located in So. Cal.?
As Gregg said, start with cleaning it it a good way to eliminate mold and find all things in need of repair. Here is a list of items I would start with.
Check your standing rigging for broken wires especially at the spreaders and ends.
Check your turnbuckle and other rigging for cracks or bends. Replace turnbuckle with a Johnson lever (makes setting up much easier there is currently one on Ebay).
Check all through hole fittings for signs of leaking especially at your first launch.
Check hoses and clamps at the winch cable and at the rear scupper hole.
Check the motor mount board. If it is still the old plywood one, it may look good but don't trust it, mine broke and I ended up fishing it out of the LA river, YUCK. Oh yeah tether you motor to the mount or rear stanchion.
Check your rudder hold down pin. To start with you can use a plastic bolt that will break if you ground it. They are available in the plumbing section at any hardware store and are used to hold down toilets. Later you may want to rig a hold down line for convenience.
Don't forget your trailer:
I replaced my front tongue 3x3 tube it was completely rotted out from the inside out after getting it home I was able to poke a 2'' hole that ran from the coupler to where it connects with the frame with a screw driver.
Check wheel bearing and repack or get bearing buddies and repack.
Check tires for side wall leaks, the tread may look new but the sun destroys the side walls.
Check your VHS if it is old or not working replace it. I ended up replacing mine and my antenna. Not horribly expensive but the reassurance of having a one button emergency hailer is comforting. There are varying opinions one mounted versus handheld. Personally I like having the antenna as high as possible, it increases your transmittal distance considerably.
For comfort:
I replace my 2'' foam with 3'' and covered with duck cloth. When and if I redo them I will cover with Sunbrella, although some of the other cloths presented on this forum look great.
Bring all lines to the cockpit not just for comfort but for safety reasons, especially if soloing.
A GPS is nice to have but for the first couple of years I used my handheld $125 Garmin Venture. I came in handy when returning from Catalina for the first time. I forgot to look back and memorize some landmarks at Long Beach harbor. I knew the launch was near the Queen Mary but couldn't see her behind all of the cargo containers. I was able to locate her as a waypoint on the Venture.
Best of luck and welcome to the forum.
Where are you located in So. Cal.?
New Mac
I got my mac 25 last year. The best thing I have gotten for the boat is the mast raising device from Blue water Yachts. I am not mechanical so I was not able to make my own device, which would have saved the 250.00 I spent on the device but it has paid for itself in stress reduction. If you are mechanical there is a lot of help on this site to create your own. we can get the boat in the water in just about 1/2 an hour from arrival at the launch to sailing off the dock.
I got my mac 25 last year. The best thing I have gotten for the boat is the mast raising device from Blue water Yachts. I am not mechanical so I was not able to make my own device, which would have saved the 250.00 I spent on the device but it has paid for itself in stress reduction. If you are mechanical there is a lot of help on this site to create your own. we can get the boat in the water in just about 1/2 an hour from arrival at the launch to sailing off the dock.
Wow, we are about 4 times that if things are going right. We could maybe do it in an hour for a day sail from the time we got to the ramp area to having the vehicle parked, but by the time we move stuff from the Suburban to the boat and feel we really have things under control to the point where we might not see the vehicle for 5-12 days is about 2-3 hours. Once we get the second axle on the trailer and don't have to unload the inflatable outboard, the 3 anchors and rodes and water and other stuff form the Suburban we deem too heavy to carry in the Mac along with getting the Zodiac inflated and in the water we might be able to get down to 1 hour.
I wish we lived closer to a lake were we could also day sail, but after going out in the boat we think the local one that is about 3/4 mile long and very narrow is just too small to have much fun in. Maybe a second smaller sailboat is in our future
,Sum
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You're not cheating. I haul all of our stuff in the boat when traveling. And my wife packs EVERYTHING. Even for an over nighter. I am about 45 minutes from parking the car to launching. We have a pretty good system. I too spend more time at home before traveling, but that's part of the prep.
Getting back to the lists and what you should do... Getting in the boat and inspecting everything is the number on thing you should do. Make sure that you look at the trailer as well. I agree with a previous post.
The way I see it, you should fix things that NEED to be fixed for safety sake, and legal issues. Lights, rigging, registration, structureal items are key. Then make lists of comfort items. Some ideas I can offer as far as comfort... A bulkhead between the head and the V-berth, cockpit cusions, fuel locker, BBQ, storage.
I would say that your first year, I would stick to day trips, and weekend trips to places that you can dock, and eat out. Too many people go hog wild, and get everything for thier boat and never use it. Find some people that have the same type and size boats, and go out with them a few times, to see what you really need. I have done things that I wish I hadn't, and haven't done stuff I wish I'd have.
Believe me, the people here will bend over backwards to get you going in the right direction.
We sail SF Bay. Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge and all over the place.
Where are you going to be sailing?
Fair Winds,
Gregg
Getting back to the lists and what you should do... Getting in the boat and inspecting everything is the number on thing you should do. Make sure that you look at the trailer as well. I agree with a previous post.
The way I see it, you should fix things that NEED to be fixed for safety sake, and legal issues. Lights, rigging, registration, structureal items are key. Then make lists of comfort items. Some ideas I can offer as far as comfort... A bulkhead between the head and the V-berth, cockpit cusions, fuel locker, BBQ, storage.
I would say that your first year, I would stick to day trips, and weekend trips to places that you can dock, and eat out. Too many people go hog wild, and get everything for thier boat and never use it. Find some people that have the same type and size boats, and go out with them a few times, to see what you really need. I have done things that I wish I hadn't, and haven't done stuff I wish I'd have.
Believe me, the people here will bend over backwards to get you going in the right direction.
We sail SF Bay. Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge and all over the place.
Where are you going to be sailing?
Fair Winds,
Gregg
First thing I would do is to remove all the stuff from inside the boat so you will know what you have.
You can go here if you want some ideas, any questions just ask.
http://s361.photobucket.com/albums/oo57/Tmebandt
No sewing required.
You can go here if you want some ideas, any questions just ask.
http://s361.photobucket.com/albums/oo57/Tmebandt
No sewing required.
Sounds like it's time for a mast raising contest, we have done it in about 40 minutes, but Frank and Duane were waiting for us. Just have to have a system and use it every time. But the first couple of times it helps to have a couple extra bodies in case something gets tangled or starts to go sideways.
Sum, when are you coming out to L.A., we could probably get a couple of boats together with a little notice.
, we have done it in about 40 minutes, but Frank and Duane were waiting for us. Just have to have a system and use it every time. But the first couple of times it helps to have a couple extra bodies in case something gets tangled or starts to go sideways. Sum, when are you coming out to L.A., we could probably get a couple of boats together with a little notice.
Next trip is suppose to be March. That sounds great though and I'll try and post about then if I remember itSounds like it's time for a mast raising contest
Sum, when are you coming out to L.A., we could probably get a couple of boats together with a little notice.
. If you think about it in Feb. and I forget remind me. We are looking at possibly bringing the boat and staying in it while there. It will be a followup denist visit with a couple vists needed over about a 9-10 day period and the rest of the time would be mostly free. Being a non-swimer the word "ocean" still frightens Ruth some, so if we went with someone else for a day before we went out ourselves that might help.c ya,
Sum
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