Storage on a Mac 26D?

Sumner · Aug 10, 2011

MrBill_FLL said:
^ uh, I think the 89 was a transition year, and has the 'box' for foam over the V berth. not sure if below is empty or not... ...

Thanks, I didn't know that

. If the foam is up there then I would bet there is none under the V-berth. That would make the decission on using that area a lot easier.

There are tons of places to put stuff in the Mac, but be prepared for the boat to sit lower in the water as a result. A positive for us, Ruth in particular, is that the boat seems a lot more stable in rougher water,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

dvideohd · Aug 15, 2011

Storage....

Proper Storage - I think - can be the real difference between a pleasant trip and one fraught with the angst of "we left it....".

I appreciate the postings people have made...

A MOD is farily permanent - and gets solid attention.. storage is, by nature impermanent. You don't often see how to string nets for internal storage in a MOD writeup... but if you are out for a while, it increasingly matters....

Using plastic bins to store items - and thus be more immune to water comeing in the boat... was a really good idea that we're doing...

Effective use of the Laz - that's another great set of ideas that we'll do...

Figuring out a removable swim platform - and how it can work with Laz storage is another mod/storage idea that we look at... (That is, how to make something dual purpose...).

We have a 26D and are now finishing a trailer renovation... Had GREAT success with the Hammered Metal paint from Rustoleum. Seriously exceeded my expectations...

--jerry

Justin_NSA · Aug 15, 2011

We use rectangular buckets with hinged lids and even Folgers plastic coffee containers to stow stuff under the seats and galley.

Paul Brinkley · Aug 15, 2011

When you have as many cats as I do, you can make use of the rectangular plastic buckets with lids that cat litter comes in. I think they hold about 4 gallons and they pack close together without a lot of lost space. They are particularly good in the lazarette- anchors & rodes, fenders, etc.- and they make good trash cans for the cabin, too. -Paul

MrBill_FLL · Aug 17, 2011

dvideohd said:
Figuring out a removable swim platform - and how it can work with Laz storage is another mod/storage idea that we look at... (That is, how to make something dual purpose...).

--jerry

I think Walt has a swim platform on his stb side.

if my ladder ever broke, I'd put something like this: about 12" below the top rail, but use a 4 step ladder. and back the transom with some plywood...

remember you want the 1st step to be well below the water when you get up... (I added a loop of 2" double braid to make another bottom step).

http://www.google.com/products/cata...lOhLTuvAEce1tweR78GaCg&sqi=2&ved=0CIQBEPICMAQ

GL!

vizwhiz · Aug 28, 2011

Speaking of using the laz space, the D/S boats have the unfortunate "laz-cover-that-can't-stay-open" issue, that is, if you can move the tiller out of the way to get it open when you need it. Has anyone put a lift or latch or catch or hold-open of some kind on their laz lid?
I was seriously thinking about splitting it down the middle (fore/aft) and moving the existing hinges to the starboard side, putting a piano hinge (long continuous hinge) down the split...so it could open away from the tiller/motor and fold as you raise it (vee-up like a tent).

And how do you get yer stuff to pop up out of the laz like a toaster? I have to hang over inside to reach the bottom!

Sumner · Aug 28, 2011

vizwhiz said:
... Has anyone put a lift or latch or catch or hold-open of some kind on their laz lid? ....

Does your boat have a pushpit-stern rail? We just have a small cord tied to the part of the hasp that folds up in the slot. The short length of cord has a snap hook tied to the end. We have a ring tied up on the stern rail. Lift the hatch and snap the line to the ring and it stays up. Pretty simple.

When I put the fuel tank...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-35.html

in I also put in a flat...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-38.html

...flloor like others have done and that helps,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

MrBill_FLL · Aug 29, 2011

vizwhiz said:
Speaking of using the laz space, the D/S boats have the unfortunate "laz-cover-that-can't-stay-open" issue,

...

And how do you get yer stuff to pop up out of the laz like a toaster? I have to hang over inside to reach the bottom!

How about a bungy from stb side of the laz hatch over the backstay to the other side of the hatch?

I think that's what I do... (I use a bungy to the backstay, but forget exactly how I rig it.

I (or 'otto') can steer with the laz hatch open, and put away the fenders.

as far as getting stuff out. I have a board run across the top of the laz, side to side and hang stuff from the board. I also put bins in there and put the same stuff back every time. on top of the storage I set a flotation toss cushion. and maybe dive gear, or other extras.

-develop a system, and follow it.

MrBill_FLL · Aug 29, 2011

fwiw, I put 25' of 3" chain (~100#) on the tongue for a year, till I moved the axle back...

timebandit · Aug 30, 2011

Things to think about.

Anchors can save your boat, can you deploy it quick if need be? Think of your anchor as emergency equipment.

One life jacket for each person should be at hand at all times. They make good back rests, seat cussions and pillows.

Fire fighting equipment should be mounted in such a way that you don't have to go through the fire to get to them. Mount them so you can use them to fight your way out of the cabin and off the boat if need be. Just because the regs. require just one it's ok to mount more.

vizwhiz · Aug 30, 2011

I plan to keep the large anchor below during transport, then put it in the rocket tube for easy access when it's time to sail. (define "easy" right?)

Also, we plan to keep the PFD's handy, as you mentioned, using them for cushions and pillows and such...and might store them in the laz during sailing...but I was also thinking of putting a small piece of velcro on the back of each one, and a corresponding piece of velcro on the wall down below, so I could "stick them up" along the wall so there would be no searching for them if they were needed.

I'm going to start with nothing and see what changes I need once I start using things...

timebandit · Aug 31, 2011

Before stowing the jackets while sailing you might read this.
http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/components/com_mtree/attachment.php?link_id=7671&cf_id=24

Can you deploy the anchor from the bow if the boat is adrift and bouncing all over and headed towards the rocks? I can chuck the anchor righ from the laz. in the safty of the cockpit and cleat it off to a rear cleat if need be.

vizwhiz said:
I plan to keep the large anchor below during transport, then put it in the rocket tube for easy access when it's time to sail. (define "easy" right?)

Also, we plan to keep the PFD's handy, as you mentioned, using them for cushions and pillows and such...and might store them in the laz during sailing...but I was also thinking of putting a small piece of velcro on the back of each one, and a corresponding piece of velcro on the wall down below, so I could "stick them up" along the wall so there would be no searching for them if they were needed.

I'm going to start with nothing and see what changes I need once I start using things...

Sumner · Aug 31, 2011

timebandit said:
....Can you deploy the anchor from the bow if the boat is adrift and bouncing all over and headed towards the rocks? ...

Yep, I can, but one does have to set the boat up so that it works within their capabilities. I haven't had a problem going to the bow in any weather we have been in, but Ruth would have a hard time.

I did have a third anchor tube....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/rigging-4.html

... and a danforth on the stern and the bitter end of the rode was tied off all of the time so it could of been deployed in seconds also. I might put it back up. Even with that anchor back there our primary anchors...

...were on the bow.

I do like the fact that now with the bow rollers I can deploy an anchor in a matter of seconds and having the anchor up there in the tubes was almost as fast. I think the boat is generally more stable if anchored from the bow and that would be my first choice, but if someone has a hard time going forward then having an anchor by the cockpit is a good idea. The Endeavour does have a stern anchor mounted and ready to deploy at any time,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

oreana123 · Aug 31, 2011

I put a gas strut on the laz door. Holds it open, holds it closed. Fire exting mounted on underside

dvideohd · Sep 1, 2011

strut...

what kind of strut on the laz? We had thought about it... much simple than growing another hand...

I have also been looking at composite fence slats for making a platform in the Laz and as a removable swim deck.. would not be a big swim platform - but it would be sturdy & removable.. (quickly removable).

--jr

Chris & Lenore · Sep 1, 2011

My best "hold open" for the aft locker lid. Sail Clevis and S hook. Tried many solutions but this one worked best.

Sumner · Sep 1, 2011

holdech said:
My best "hold open" for the aft locker lid. Sail Clevis and S hook. Tried many solutions but this one worked best.

Good idea, I think I'll copy that. I'll still leave the other line and snap hook attached to use when the boat is on the trailer and the backstay is slack. Yours will be qicker to use on the water though.

Thanks and have you guys been out this summer? Haven't heard from you in a while, so hope that means you are sailing,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

Chris & Lenore · Sep 1, 2011

Hi Sumner,

We spent two weeks in the North Channel in July and we are just finishing up our second week on Lake Champlain. Had to haul out when Irene came through - lots of damage, destroyed boats and flooding. Sitting at the Boathouse in Burlington VT tonight and you would never know a hurricane came through less than a week ago (except for the debris in the water - lots of deadheads).

Chris

Storage on a Mac 26D?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.