I am looking at a 1988 Macgregor 26D. The owner hit a tree in the boat yard and had to replace the Mast. The new Mast is now 3 feet taller. To increase headroom clearance he raised the boom about 2 feet. The boat still has the Macgregor sail it just doesn't go all the way to the top of the Mast. How much of an impact will raising the boom have on the boat's performance? We are novices to sailing (about a year) and we don't want to have a set-up that is asking for trouble. I guess we could drill holes and lower the boom but wanted to ask for some advice first. Thanks Bob
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Bob, the biggest impact will be that the boat will be more "tender" than a stock
The forces generated by the sails will be higher up than is designed and will make the boat heel more for a given wind speed. Not Good. On top of that, you have extra weight at the top of the mast (above the sail). You could lower the boom but I'd get a pro to make the call on how to attach the gooseneck (the part that ties the mast to the boom) and what to do to the holes left from the old position of the gooseneck. If it were me I'd pass on this boat unless the $$$ is low enough to justify reworking the mast properly.
The forces generated by the sails will be higher up than is designed and will make the boat heel more for a given wind speed. Not Good. On top of that, you have extra weight at the top of the mast (above the sail). You could lower the boom but I'd get a pro to make the call on how to attach the gooseneck (the part that ties the mast to the boom) and what to do to the holes left from the old position of the gooseneck. If it were me I'd pass on this boat unless the $$$ is low enough to justify reworking the mast properly.
Or, leave the boom where it is,
And cut the top and bottom of the mast to the correct lengths. No extra holes that way... ;D Have to shorten the rigging, also. -Paul
And cut the top and bottom of the mast to the correct lengths. No extra holes that way... ;D Have to shorten the rigging, also. -Paul
The advice so far is good, IMHO
I have sailed on a friends MacG 26S (similar to the 'D' model I believe - pre-motorboat style) and when the wind gets up around 15 knots you will feel the boat heel and feel a weather helm on the tiller. Have the mast shortened as suggested (at the top AND on the bottom so the boom height is where it was designed to be). If you ever get caught out in stronger wind you might want to drop the sails and motor rather than risk getting blown over or knocked down. Still a decent trailer sailor IMHO.
I have sailed on a friends MacG 26S (similar to the 'D' model I believe - pre-motorboat style) and when the wind gets up around 15 knots you will feel the boat heel and feel a weather helm on the tiller. Have the mast shortened as suggested (at the top AND on the bottom so the boom height is where it was designed to be). If you ever get caught out in stronger wind you might want to drop the sails and motor rather than risk getting blown over or knocked down. Still a decent trailer sailor IMHO.
Mac Gregor Mast
The P.O. has messed with a well thought out design --- You'll always wonder if the boat would sail better with the stock rig. There are hundreds of good buys out there...run the other way... Also, you'll eventually be trying to sail this dog to another unsuspecting customer...
The P.O. has messed with a well thought out design --- You'll always wonder if the boat would sail better with the stock rig. There are hundreds of good buys out there...run the other way... Also, you'll eventually be trying to sail this dog to another unsuspecting customer...
I've got a little sunfish
i rigged the sail so it hoists ridiculusly high. It's more fun that way!
i rigged the sail so it hoists ridiculusly high. It's more fun that way!
Bob, some designs handle a taller mast with taller sails very well.
These boats are generally heavier and stiffer and the extra sail area just makes them perform better. I don't think that is the case with the Macgregor 26. I believe the boat is on the light side and a little tender, and that mast will cause you grief. Remember, if the old mast broke by hitting a tree the forestay may have parted and the stemhead fitting or it's attachment may have been damaged. Chainplates could have been strained also, and the mast may be heavier than the original, producing extra weight aloft even if it were trimmed to size. I would pass on it if it were me. Joe S
These boats are generally heavier and stiffer and the extra sail area just makes them perform better. I don't think that is the case with the Macgregor 26. I believe the boat is on the light side and a little tender, and that mast will cause you grief. Remember, if the old mast broke by hitting a tree the forestay may have parted and the stemhead fitting or it's attachment may have been damaged. Chainplates could have been strained also, and the mast may be heavier than the original, producing extra weight aloft even if it were trimmed to size. I would pass on it if it were me. Joe S
Tall Mast
Mac's masts are very sensitive to contact on the shrouds with trees or other obstructions. They tend to break sideways at the spreader. It is possible that the PO fitted the boat with a new mast from the 26M which, if I remember right, is about 2 ft taller than the stock mast. I recommend calling the factory and giving them the dimensions of your mast and have them check against the dimensions of the stock mast. Once you have this data you can modify the new one by cutting the mast. Personally, I would keep the boom low and take as much as possible off the bottom, but the relationship of the spreaders to the top of the mast must be right to insure proper handling.
Mac's masts are very sensitive to contact on the shrouds with trees or other obstructions. They tend to break sideways at the spreader. It is possible that the PO fitted the boat with a new mast from the 26M which, if I remember right, is about 2 ft taller than the stock mast. I recommend calling the factory and giving them the dimensions of your mast and have them check against the dimensions of the stock mast. Once you have this data you can modify the new one by cutting the mast. Personally, I would keep the boom low and take as much as possible off the bottom, but the relationship of the spreaders to the top of the mast must be right to insure proper handling.
Thanks for all your help..
Wow, thanks for all the help. I love the boat just not sure about the mast. I really appreciate your help.
Wow, thanks for all the help. I love the boat just not sure about the mast. I really appreciate your help.
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