Raising the Mast on MacGregor 26M

I did this video with new or future owners in mind. Basically it’s a video I wish I could have seen before buying or before my first time setting up the mast.
It may not be for the experienced owner but if you have additional tricks or comments, please do share.
… And If you’re interested in a part 2 for setting up the boom, mainsail and Genoa let me know.
Cheers

[@lynmyers8331]

Thanks. Nice detail that I needed. Good sailing!

[@polepole9066]

@@lynmyers8331 glad it helped. Cheers mate.

[@francoislepine4698]

I had a 1991 Mac26s....and the mast raising system was simpler than that!!! Baby stays were yachtbraid with hooks (two SS eyes bolted to the deck, two cleats of the sides of the mast five feet up)....easy peasy....no winch on pole, one of the boats winches on cabin top was used instead. With the 26S system the pole moves....it is set just past 90 degrees aft to the deck and the raising line goes through two double blocks and then returns to the cabin top winch. When the backstay gets tangled at the stern, as it ALWAYS does! you're right there in the cockpit already....when the mast is coming down, again you're right there to guide it into the mast crutch. That's why standing ahead of the mast for mast raising is less than ideal IMO.

[@MikeMaileFoolishBehavior]

Perfect awareness catching the kinks in the chainplates.

[@AusMarineRobotics]

That saved me destroying them👍

[@photo_akh]

Thank you! Now I know how to upgrade my version of raising system. Thank you again!

[@redhot1503]

Great job mate, perfect for us newbies, yes please to Boom and Mainsail ....:)

[@brianhowes6448]

Good tips for someone whos only raised their mast a couple times. Thanks

[@polepole9066]

Glad it helped. Cheers

[@georgefiolka4063]

Hi great video, very methodical . I have an old Jag 22 and I know raising the mast solo can be tricky. Many thanks .

[@polepole9066]

Thanks for your kind comment. Cheers 🥂

[@chrisproulx5651]

Thanks for the reminder how to do this. Finally taking mine out soon after nearly 2 years

[@charlescharles9625]

I see I am not the only one. Had mine (26M) for a year and a half and have yet to raise the mask, Marina Del Rey, California.

[@SailingwithDrMarCo]

Great Video! Very well demonstrated and explained. Nice job friend!

[@sleeparate-bed-divider]

Excellent video. I will try to tie on furler to the raising system next season. Thank you from New Zealand

[@SamuelKelsall]

Good job. Thanks for doing the video. Have fun and be safe.

[@polepole9066]

@@SamuelKelsall thanks for your comment. Cheers 🍻

[@benjaminnevins5211]

Great video, Thanks!

[@terryzammit7605]

Subscribed. I look forward to watch as many to all your videos refering to the McGregor

[@polepole9066]

Thanks for your kind comment. Let me know what you think of the reefing video…. Cheers

[@jamesgrubbIII]

Great job and informative. Thanks!

[@francus7227]

There's only two boats I consider buying.... - McGregor 26 X/M or - C-Dory 22'/25'/26' Both are "Swiss amy knife" type boats. My biggest hold back on the McGregor is figuring out the kaleidoscope of rigging. You just erased my apprehension. I feel like I could spend a day putting it up and taking it down about 5X, and I'd have it down, pat. Thanks. I tapped the thumbs up 👍 button to feed the algorithm monsters.

[@polepole9066]

@@francus7227 😂. Well said. After a while, you can have it up or down in about 1 hour. Cheers

[@Gwen-x6d]

For me, raising the mast back in the early 2000's was easy, but I did wind up mooring it to save time.

[@ryanewbank9271]

Very nice. Well done video.

[@Kankudai]

Great video thank you very much!!

[@rodmeisterful]

Super helpful!

[@polepole9066]

Thanks

[@cristinaeppers9240]

How long is the line you use to hold the foil while you're raising the mast? I can't believe I didn't think of this!! I want to make one today!!!

[@polepole9066]

Thanks. Any short line will do. This one is probably 2 ft. Cheers

[@stande-man3976]

My first time mast raising today. Many mistakes and pulled muscles but I did it. If I had watched this video that would be a game changer. Niestety Macgregor 25 nie ma opcji by zainstalować taki podnośnki masztu. Coś wymyślę.

[@polepole9066]

Hope you’re ok 👍🏻. Congrats

[@michaelo1907]

thanks

[@NandeskaGY]

Very good explanation. I have a 26M as well. Unfortunately the pervious owner did some very bad modifications. I am trying to revise them. He also lost the side support wires that you have in the 6.35 of the video. Could you please share me the sizes of the parts (length of the wires etc.) so that I can re-built one for my 26M. He also fixed the self rotating mast center at the bottom, which is an engineering result. I am also planning to convert it back to original. Am looking for the photos of original self rotating system at the bottom of the mast. Do you recommend any sources. Many thanks in advance

[@polepole9066]

@@NandeskaGY hello. That’s a shame. I no longer have the 26M but to get the baby stay length, it’s best you measure the distance between the mast lower tang and the attachment point at the base of the stanchion. Or contact BWY about the mast raising system. shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3418-1m0.htm They also sell the mast rotating base parts. shop.bwyachts.com/category-s/286.htm Contact Todd at BWY He’s great to give you advices.

[@NandeskaGY]

@@polepole9066 many thanks :)

[@jscomposer]

Great video! How tight do you set your side/upper shrouds?

[@polepole9066]

I’m no expert in rigging. Would hesitate to give you advices. They’re « snug » 😂. Likely not a sailing official term

[@Patrioti3260]

Did you add that larger anchor roller on the port bow...what size is it and anchor? I see the factory one on starboard not being used. Very nice setup!

[@polepole9066]

Yes I added a large roller from Blue WY for my Bruce anchor. The stock one will be used for a bow sprit 👍🏻

[@Patrioti3260]

@@polepole9066 Looks great! What weight is your anchor?

[@polepole9066]

I actually don’t remember. I think 12 or 16 lbs Bruce

[@AusMarineRobotics]

Nice work - have been doing some KZbin research on this is a great help! Unfortunately my mast step doesn't have the extra pivot for the gin pole that the MacGregor does so have to make an A frame. Notice that your baby stays are slack. I think to prevent any movement and stress on the stauchions you can use two gimbal lines on each side - both with a connecting ring to bring the pivot point of the baby stays directly in line with the pivot point of the mast. This way you can have the baby stays tight throughout the entire arc of the mast as it raises. Just an idea I found in my research as I'm about to construct one so appreciate any feedback anyone has but hope this gives others some ideas at least.

[@polepole9066]

Thanks. I’ll look into that

[@MacgregorBoats-n3r]

Hi, I am starting a mac KZbin channel and it would be good to put videos like yours and others all in the one place. Would you be happy adding it to the channel and maybe making more about the mac?

[@polepole9066]

@@MacgregorBoats-n3r hello. Great idea. You’re welcome to link my videos to your new channel. Maybe in your playlist.

[@geller6980]

can you provide some detailed pictures of this system? Is it DIY or did you purchase it? Thanks!

[@polepole9066]

Hi. The raising system is from BWY. shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3418-1m0.htm

[@geller6980]

@@polepole9066 thanks!

[@markalfresco]

Did you make the solar panels stand on the stern?

[@polepole9066]

Yes I fabricated it. You can see a bit more details in this mods video … Cheers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6mXmHyirrmso9Usi=lSjBR2ZjV_MormL_

[@MrLu-jk2zi]

I really like this boat But very few in china.

[@jamesmckenzie6049]

Way to much work and lost time on the water.