storage in the 26S ?

[doehunter]

I was looking around in my cabin yesterday, and it's a real pigstye!
I am planning to add, camping stuff to the mix, so I was looking for ways to get it all in and not have everything underfoot.
I see that there seems to be two large cavities between the cockpit seats, and the aft berth ceiling. Is that for flotation? It looks like you could put quite a bit of stuff in there, If I cut holes, and put doors on.
I plan to capitalize on the area under the V-berth, and under the settees, but I think I will need more room.
Jim

 

[Sumner]

Look at our interior mods......

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/inside-index.html

....something there might help you. Right now we have enough on board that we wouldn't have to resupply with anything for over a month.

Leaving Captiva today and heading to Fr. Meyers and hopefully Naples tomorrow,

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Robspan]

There is a lot of room taken up by flotation. These boats were sold to many people new to sailing, so it helped to market them as being unsinkable when the flotation is intact. Of course, the great majority of sailboats are far from unsinkable. So whether to remove the flotation is up to you. If you need the space, have at it.

Personally, I've kept my flotation but only because up to now I haven't needed the space. If I did, I wouldn't have any problem with removing the flotation. I doubt that I'll ever sail this boat out of sight of land, so if the worst happens, I should be relatively close to help.

One other consideration is that if I ever decide to sell, the intact flotation may help appeal to more prospective buyers.

 

[chp]

I too had issues with the storage. While there is a lot space under everything, I found it a pain to get at. I started to look at mods and really liked Sumners storage mods. Made the port storage like Sumners and doing one over the galley. If your handy with wood you can make a lot of storage on this boat.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

Doe, what year boat? (mby, update your profile?)

a S right?
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/1185115991.jpg

theres a few option is you want to remove floatation, the coamings, over the sink, under the V berth, and Over the Vberth (S right) then there is some room over your feet in the aft berth...

1st order is using what you have ... I think most use some plastic bins for under the seats in the cabin, and under the sink.

here are some pic to view... mostly others boats, but some of mine mixed in... might give you some ideas...

GL!


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/IMGP1130.jpg


http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/?start=all

 

[Doug J]

Re: storage in the 26S

I didn't like that we had stuff all over the place getting in the way. My goal is to have a place for everything out of the way. I've made some progress.

We usually go out for two or three days, we don't need storage for longer than that, so that helps.

The cooler always seemed to be in the way, so I re-did our galley and sunk a 48qt cooler in the top, and made storage shelves/bins above. If needed we use the factory ice chest installed under the port settee, which I plan to improve, with better insulation, and I'll install a hinged/sealed hatch door over it. It's used for storage, when not in use as an ice chest.

I moved the two batteries from under the sink to the v-berth, and made a storage compartment there. Forward of that v-berth compartment, there is still a lot of space which is accessible through the factory opening. The whole area has a floor which keeps stuff up and dry. If interested you can see more pictures in my photobucket.

The under sink space has been opened up, which provides quite a bit of dry storage, since there is now a floor, keeping things up. I added storage in the head, which is quite spacious. I installed access plates in the bulkhead on either side of the companionway with storage bag inserts, more stuff can be stored behind the bags, they just pop out if needed.

There's a lot of options to get better storage. It's been said before, these boats are like kit boats, you just need to be willing to do the mods to make it what you want. I still have many mod ideas I hope to do to improve storage, as well as rigging mods, etc., which for me is half the fun.

Here's some pics of my boat. If you want to see more I have a lot of pictures in my photobucket, where you'll find them catagorized in folders. I tried to make comments on most of the pictures.

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/doug91mac26s/

 

[doehunter]

thanks guys,
I didn't see a direct answer to my question about the cavities between the cockpit seats, and the aft berth ceiling. I guess I should assume Macgregor filled it with flotation.
I'm reluctant to start cutting and drilling, so I guess I'll begin with the areas under the settees, and the Vberth. There isn't anything under there. Just 2 large bags of sand!
Maybe I'll get more adventurous after the new wears off. By then I'll have more time to decide where and how much I need.
I do need to update my profile!
It's '93 model 26S. Doesn't look like the PO ever did any mods at all. I almost hate to ruin a virgin boat. lol. He did add a depth finder, but even it's mounted on a wooden frame that swings out to be seen from the cockpit.
When you guys add wood in the galley or in the head for shelving, did you have to drill very many holes? I drilled 2 while putting in my stereo, and I felt so bad, I mounted the rest of the speaker wire with tape! ( I figure it's temporary)
I think I might put together a scrapbook of sorts, with everyone's mod pics. then I can look at them while I'm in the boat, before I start cutting.
Jim

 

[Doug J]

Re: storage in the 26S

Doehunter, to answer your question more directly, yes . Those big drop down areas under the cockpit, the cockpit coamings, the drop down over the v-berth, that compartment over the galley, the forepeak, are all filled with styrofoam. As I do my projects, and remove styrofoam, I replace it with closed cell foam, but it's re-distributed to other areas. So I gain some needed space, but put closed cell foam in another close by area, so I maintain the floatation, but gain storage. Those pool noodles are nice to use!

And yes, I drill and cut a lot of holes , but I think I'm doing it the right way, I'm not just hacking away, if done right the boat is improved. I replaced all the wood paneling making up the head enclosure with birch. The galley is a combination of birch, oak, pine and teak.

If you do some woodwork, just be sure to seal everything real good. I used Helmsman Spar Urethane, and put on at least four coats. I love the look of wood. I think it warms up these boats interiors, so I intend to add quite a bit more.

 

[chp]

Hi Doug
Just curious. When you did your countertop did you use solid oak or ply. Also did you use just the spar urethane for the top or something harder. I would like to make a new coutertop and trying to figure the best way to do it. Your mods are awesome. I too love the look of wood in a boat and slowly working towards that. I also used the spar urethane for a food storage cabinet made of Mahogany and it came out real nice, but I wonder if it is tough enough for a counter.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/?action=view&current=Mac-3.jpg

^in this pic you can see someone has cut and installed a black hatch to use the area over your feet in the aft berth for storage
(nice touch with the cloth background)

I think this is the are you are speaking of 'between the seats' ?


http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/IMGP1130.jpg

^also note on this pic, the ~4" clear round access port is in the sleeping area, and the fire extinguisher holder is over the interior storage area, where I think you want to cut.

(that little port would be nice to get some air in the back) others have installed a larger oval port..)

the foam is stryofoam and creates quite a mess as it falls apart. closed cell foam is the way to go, when you replace it.

I cut holes where doug has a access port bag. I put several pool noodles in there, and other long narrow items.


while your in the cutting mood.
Do you have any access to the bow eye? if not, its original, and will need additional backing. thickend epoxy and much larger washers or a plate.
+ stock backing on all cleats is a joke.

Look thru Summers links to other boats... lots can be done, planning is the hard part.

my recommendation is to sail it 3x and at least one overnight on the boat before making the mod plan.

how do you intend to use the boat? daysail or extended cruising, trailer or slip, number aboard, kids? etc... dingy or ?

and how long do you want to keep this? how important is getting your money back on the upgrades?

 

[BrokeNotBroken]

Doehunter, to answer your question more directly, yes . Those big drop down areas under the cockpit, the cockpit coamings, the drop down over the v-berth, that compartment over the galley, the forepeak, are all filled with styrofoam. As I do my projects, and remove styrofoam, I replace it with closed cell foam...

I will also add that the styrofoam provides a perfect nest for roaches. How do I know? Because the previous owner of my boat let it sit in his front yard with water in the bilge for god knows how long. It became infested. I didn't know when I bought it because he must have bombed the boat before I came to see it and cleaned out the inside. You can't really look in those areas unless you remove the access panels which are typically glued & screwed. After discovering my little surprise, I decided to remove all of the styrofoam in the boat. The styrofoam stinks, it falls apart, and most sailboats are not positively buoyant anyway. Plus, by removing it, a lot of storage space is opened up. I haven't decided how I want to use all that space yet. Oh, and yes, you can remove all of the styrofoam from under the cockpit seats without drilling any holes. You just need a good band saw blade, a lot of patience, a few beers, and a good mask. Chop into numerous small pieces and pull it out the back.

 

[Doug J]

Countertop

Chp, the countertop is 3/4" oak plywood, and I just used the spar urethane, I hope it will be hard enough. Is that stuff on the soft side? I figured if it's to be used on spars exposed to the elements, it should be pretty tough stuff. So far I haven't noticed any problems, but I don't cut on it, I use a cutting board for that.

http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/doug91mac26s/

 

[timebandit]

Ijust don't cook.

If you cook you need a stove, pots, pans, flipers and stabbers.

You need plates, knives, forks and spoons.

You have to wash all the above in a pan and another to rinse.

Some one has to do it and it aint me and I don't wish it on anyone either.

So the stove is gone and so is the b-b-q.

Have you ever had your stake go overboard from a big wake, my Mac is not that stable at anchor.

Sailing is supposed to be fun not work.

Spare boat parts, yea I have a few but not many,

Sleeping bags, jackets and pillow shams filled with sweats for when it gets cold.

One small bag with personal items and cloths each is about it.

I do have heaters and lanterns though.

 

[doehunter]

Mr Bill,
That is the area I was looking at, under the cockpit.
I have mixed emotions about taking out flotation. I guess I'll begin at the V berth since it's basically already empty. I'm not sure if there is access to the bow eye. I need to check that because I get real nervous puling on it with the trailer winch.
The image of the roaches in the places I can't' see is disturbing. I haven't seen any bugs but there were remnants, under the carpet when I took it out. My boat is stored on my driveway but is surrounded by yards on 3 sides, and a field towards the back. It's only about 20 ft away. So, I need to be careful about moisture, and food left in the boat!
thanks again guys. Gotta get to work,
Jim

 

[oreana123]

Doehunter
One of the best mods is to open up the area under the starboard galley seat. I have done this mod on 3 Mac classics. The seat area is a really wimpy thin gelcoated fiberglass that is easily cut out into a bigger hole to allow practical access to this area. I install a wooden 2x2 under the outboard lip after cutting to rigidify the fiberglass. I install a hinge, and I cover the new, larger hole with a separate piece of wood, which is easily covered with foam and fabric.

The addition of a gas strut that goes overcenter, (holding the seat up and holding it down), makes this a large storage area with a seat that will not slide around.

Some thought needs to be given to the layout of the cut. The area is a compound shape, so the hinge line is not situated all the way outboard, and it needs to be straight. Also, sufficient material needs to be left on the forward, inboard, and aft lips to accomodate the cover and to have a mounting place for the gas strut. The addition of a C shaped trim keeps the sharp edge of the fiberglass from scraping the Admiral's arms. OK this requires a picture so I am going outside and get some.

Just for general knowledge, the classics are made of 4 pieces: uper and lower inner tubs, and the deck and hull. The inner tubs are thin in places, flexible, sometimes there is clearance behind the inner tub, and sometimes the tub is lying against the hull or deck. If you are going to use a self tapping screw for any of your mods, the screw should go through the fiberglass and into a wooden backing plate. If this is not possible, consider using blind fasteners, even the internally threaded type. Any self tapping screw set into fiberglass will loosen up, will crack the gel coat, will pull out. Also, as you get familiar with your boat, notice that there is room to run electrical wiring between the inner tubs and the deck and hull. I wired a S a few years back, used 180 feet of 2 conductor, only about 6 inches of it showed.

All right I'll go get some pics

 

[oreana123]

ok

 

[oreana123]

again