MarCo's Mac Mods

[@KounPreyNokor]

Great modifications to the 26m. Probably one of the safest Mac out there.

[@ochlokrat]

I just bought today a MacGregor 26X this post has been sooo valueable!!! Thank you so much! ❤❤❤❤ It's not only so time consuming finding good hardware, but you probably spend a lot of hours in editing this video, for which i am really greatful! thank you again, godspeed and fair winds! Thomas

[@yavapaiduke4676]

Thanks much for sharing how to trik-out a MAC 26 to the nth degree including & especially prudent redundency!

[@sleeparate-bed-divider]

Great information, thanks for taking the time to prepare this content - and of course your other sailing videos. Happy water time from New Zealand. - Tattoo 26

[@tomroot6013]

Excellent descriptions! Thank You. I just love the simplicity of the Bowsprit! I need to figure that one out for hardware and rigging, most definitely! I own a 2001 Max 26X, from new, here!

[@johnnyp5788]

That's one incredibly well equipped Mac I own an older 22 so I definitely don't need all of your mods but after trying to sleep on it for the first time this weekend I'm definitely going to add a few of the stuff you've added to Dog Years

[@robertalexander2478]

God bless you for this!!! This is hands down the best 26 I’ve ever seen!!!!

[@VelvetTubeShaper]

Wow wow wow, lot of beautiful upgrades. Lots of info to take in too. Thank you so much for the great ideas. My girlfriend and I are just now searching for a MacGregor 26M here in Florida. Hoping to get one by Christmas and do some mods by springtime.

[@fearlessflipping]

Some people are serial killers…. Some people do this to M26’s… I absolutely love it!!

[@adventuresoftheF.M.]

Thank you for making and sharing this informative video! I purchased a 2006 26M in February that we have been sailing this summer. This video has answered many of my questions, confirmed some of my ideas and shown me how far a person can take this boat both in distance and improvements.

[@mzollinger1150]

You outfitted my dream boat well. Glad that you are enjoying her,

[@lawrenceherdade2256]

Ha! Mine is a Oceanis 37.1 with a dedicated captain

[@gulsadyalpu915]

Very good video Marco. Many thanks. I own a 26 M and live in Turkiye. I wonder if you can help me fix two problems that the previous owner caused 1- He lost the baby stays used to raise the mast. I would be very pleased if you can share the length and thickness of thr wire so that I can do it since I can not buy it from BWY. 2- Unfortunetly my mast has been fixed and can not rotate. I could not find out how it is done but if you can share photos of the base I can compare and undo so that I can use rotating mast safely. Many thanks in advance.

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, I have sold the boat and am unable to help you with your questions. I’m sure someone on the FB MacGregor pages can probably assist you.

[@marcuskrey1431]

fantastic video thank you for your inspertion, I just bought a 2007 26M and have started with my mods, power first 200amp lithium with 120w solar and a backup 2000w generator. Also installing a anchore windlass drum style, next will be B&G Vulcan 7 MF display, wind instruments, converting to hydrolic steering and then auto pilot, still a long way to go , will have basics ready for the summer to sail around Northland east coast in NZ. looking forward to your next video

[@jordansiqueido2101]

Maybe repurpose the dual rudders for foil, and use the dagger for a rudder on the boat ramp

[@polepole9066]

Been looking forward to your Mod video ! Thanks for making it. I know it’s a lots of efforts for shooting and edit. Perfect job Mark. Will be considering many of these for Pole Pole. Cheers from 🇨🇦

[@jordansiqueido2101]

Dude.. This boat is so frickin sick🤮🤮🤮 Only thing that i can see left to install would be "Bug-out boards" to maximize the outboard motor and collapsible mast. You need to invent a re-mountable hydrofoil bugout system for Macgregor 26 Maybe a hydrofoil system that can be installed while on a trailer with structural reinforcement

[@rodmeisterful]

Brilliant work.

[@colinambulance999]

Great film I’ve just bought a Mac 26 to sail around Thailands islands starting in November and you’ve inspired me to post some films and will add a few upgrades like you have great work mate

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

Thanks and good luck!

[@robertalexander2478]

Are you sailing to Thailand?

[@colinambulance999]

@@robertalexander2478 no I’ve bought a Mac 26 which is already there so I’ll sail it around and post some stuff on my channel give me a follow if you want to see my very unprofessional sailing and filming…….I go there November

[@boaterlive5614]

Nice work Mark great ideas

[@gpetheri]

Impressive mods!!! The only mod I've made to mine is to shove half a dozen pool noodles up the mast to stop the mast top light cable slapping...Mine's an X, I see yours has foam in it already. In opposite to you, I've removed the large intrusive wheel and fitted a much smaller 13.5 inch one I haven't sailed with it yet, but getting past the helm pedestal is a LOT easier. Thanks for the vid.

[@jefffrazer6065]

WOW! Just WOW! and thanks so much for sharing.

[@bbgregory1884]

Well done in all respects, your mods are epic...

[@danweeks9127]

Nice video. Where did you get the rail mounts for the solar panels on the bow?

[@francoistran5681]

Nice. let's me when you are selling it😅 Very nice modifications. Thanks for sharing

[@TwistyMcFisty1]

Those solar panel mounts look nice…link??

[@leonardodelvalle5084]

Congrats my friend, that’s the best Mcg.26M that I seen . And I have a pretty nice one too! “Fair winds”👍🏽

[@lawrenceherdade2256]

Please share pictures including mods!

[@robertscholz4486]

Good job on the mods, but to be honest she's looking a bit cluttered up -- particularly at the front with the additional solar. You may want to do a search for "I'm Solar" -- they make a 480W bi-facial panel that is 68" x 47" selling for €299 (bi-facial means just what it says -- 400W on the front of panel and 80W off of the back of the panel!) With the arch mount that you have this one panel would supply all of your power -- these are perfect for that mount -- the front face will get 400W and the back will get 80W off of the sunlight reflecting off of the water. It's a win - win!! They are not the only company that makes them, I just came across these recently and the price seemed very fair for the output -- with all of the gadgets you have, you might want to mount two!!!

[@rolandzaja]

I really enjoyed watching this video, thanks

[@JKevinWilson]

Seriously impressed.

[@josephs4212]

that was insane. my mind is blown

[@Adventureman_Dan]

Super cool man! How did you enjoy sailing the Bahamas with it?

[@ProspectingMonkey]

Nice mods!

[@DellaDeLobos]

WOW, Dream Boat!!! NICE!!!

[@bradmillis2065]

Thank you. This is helpful.

[@StarSloop]

nicely done

[@wooss9961]

this guy is genius

[@albertoboquete]

Thanks for the video from Spain

[@airborneranger-ret]

Very nice :)

[@adventuresoftheF.M.]

I am still learning new things from your videos as I continue to make my own 26M modifications. What are your thoughts on single line reefing? Why did you go with double line reefing? All feedback appreciated.

[@cwt-jj9mu]

Wow, Wow, Wow IMPRESSED!!!

[@boaterlive5614]

Dr Marco, what did you use to mount your fuel filter? Seems to be a blind spot for putting nuts on?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

I just used screws and an adhesive (I think it was 3M 4200 so it could be removed if necessary).

[@peterwhite7252]

With the new sails how much faster is it. Is it as fast as other trailer sailers.

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

The new sails definitely improved speed, upwind performance and better reefing ability - definitely worth the upgrade. The power Macs are not known for their speed under sail but I think these sails make them competitive with other trailer sailers.

[@sailingeden9866]

That's a busy boat. Did you talk about your batteries?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

No but she’s got 2 marine deep cycles - a battery upgrade would be nice.

[@ProspectingMonkey]

Did you buy chance do any reinforcement to accept your 60hp motor?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

No, they're rated up to 70 hp - most people start reinforcing the transom above that.

[@scratchbuilder5952]

We’ll made vid… very nice

[@billydaniel900]

👍

[@JohnBraman413]

do you have links for the parts you upgraded?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

I listed the part number and where I got it from for each major upgrade in the video. For example, most were from BWY (blue water yachts), so just take that part number and enter it in the search item bar on their website and it’ll take you right to the part.

[@wavewaker2]

Loaded Mac, very nice, did I miss what battery u are using?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

No, they’re just regular (new) deep cycles. Definitely want to go lithium soon.

[@olekebollekemololekebollek7215]

Do You have a remote control for the autopilot?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

In a way yes - you can control the autopilot with the Axion MFD and you can control the Axiom with the Rayconnect app. So I can be anywhere in the boat and make changes to the autopilot.

[@olekebollekemololekebollek7215]

I use a wristband remote control ( I believe from I3D Gear in BC, Canada) which I use it 80% of the time controlling the autopilot (EV100 control wheel). It alows me to go to the bow to stow fenders or others , or anywhere on the boat. It was not expensive.

[@jordansiqueido2101]

Make a "Mac-Kranoplan" mod You are the only person who can

[@johndelsindico6307]

is your mercury a big foot ?

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

No, standard 4 stroke.

[@rbarker4426]

Before you put double of what the boat is worth all you needed to do. Was just install a crash/cow bell and call it a day.

[@lawrenceherdade2256]

I had a sloop and looked down on Mac's as a poor compromise. Now living half the year in Maine and in NM (reasonable drive to Gulf of California) I hope to get a 26X. I'm sure I will never go as far as you with mods but it's great to know from your experience what is possible in upgrading its sailing performance and livability during long excursions. I especially loved your two part nesting tender! I subscribed and will need to dissect the hardware information piece by piece as I am still a novice in that department. Kudos, Larry