Macgregor 26 owner’s instructions page 2. Special safety warnings 4. General information 4. Rigging the mast 6. Attaching the mast to the boat 7. Attaching the mast support wires 7. Preparing the boat for trailering 8. Preparing the trailer 9. Towing the boat and trailer 9. Raising the mast 10. Rais...
1. ******** special safety warnings ******* do not power or sail the macgregor 26 without making sure that the water bal- last tank is completely full. Unless the water ballast tank is completely full, with 1200 pounds of water ballast, the sailboat is not self righting. With- out the water ballast,...
Batteries are dangerous. Treat them cautiously. Batteries can produce explosive gas, corrosive acid and lev- els of electrical current high enough to cause burns. Always wear eye protection or shield your eyes when working near any battery and remove all metal rings and jewelry. Never expose a batte...
2. General information terminology: in the following instructions, we have tried to avoid the use of nautical terms wherever possible. If you are new to the sport, having to learn a new language while you are learn- ing to rig and sail the boat can be grim. If you are an experi- enced sailor, be pat...
Forward support wire: (forestay) the forward support wire (23' 5 1/4") is attached to the bot- tom end of the 1" x 6" stainless straps with a 1/4" x 2" bolt and lock nut as shown in the photo 4. Note that a pulley is mounted on the same bolt. This pulley is used for the rope that hoists the forward ...
Mainsail hoisting rope: (main halyard) the rope that hoists the rear (main) sail passes through the pulley at the masthead (photo 9) and the forward end ties off to the cleat on the right side of the mast (right when looking forward). Use a bowline knot and tie a twist pin u shackle to the aft end o...
5. Attaching the mast wires to the boat wire adjusting channels: attach a wire adjuster channel to the bottom end of the top and middle mast sup- port wires, and to the rear mast support wire. (photo 13) photo 13 wire adjusting channels use a 1/4" clevis pin and cotter ring, and mount them ex- actly...
7. Preparing the trailer lug nuts: it is the owners responsibility to check the lug nuts that se- cure the wheels to the axle before using the trailer. The wheels may have been removed in order to ship the boat to you or your dealer, and it is important for you to check to see that the lug nuts have...
Trailer brakes. The harder you stop, the more hydraulic pres- sure you generate, and the more forcefully the brakes will be applied. The safety chain must be loose enough to permit free motion of the actuator assembly. Brakes work poorly when wet. Breakaway chain: the surge brake system has a breaka...
Make sure that the mast wires are not entangled on the boat or trailer, and then raise the mast. This is best accomplished by standing on the cabin top, aft of the mast, and lifting the mast into position. Be careful not to hit a power line with the mast or rigging. You could be injured or killed. T...
Take the end of the block and tackle line to the cockpit. Take 3 wraps clockwise around the jib winch on the star- board side (the right side when facing forward), insert the winch handle securely in the winch and begin cranking up the mast. The loads will be heavy at first, but lighten as the mast ...
Alternate method of tensioning the wires. With all the rigging in place, grip the upper wire about 4 feet above the deck and pull inboard toward the center of the boat. The lower wire will go slack and allow another hole to be taken up in the adjuster channel. To adjust the upper wires, pull inboard...
Necessary to use tools. As you tighten the wingnut, the valve shaft (f), plate (d) and seal (e) are pulled up tight against the hull, sealing off the water access holes (g) and trapping the water in the ballast tank. As the wing nut is tightened, the cone shaped washer (h) and rubber seal (i) are pr...
17. Connect the boom to the mast the finished assembly is shown below. (photo 23) photo 23 connect boom to mast 18. Rear (main) sail the 38' mainsail control line is installed as shown in photo 24 photo 24 mainsail control line to hoist the mainsail, first slide the bottom edge of the sail into the ...
Run the rope at the rear end of the boom thru the sail and tie the line tight to the cleat at the end of the boom, as shown in photo 27. .Photo 27 mainsail attachment, lower rear corner connect the hoisting rope u shackle to the top of the sail, and feed the rope on the leading edge of the sail into...
Photo 32 jib sail, control line attachment when the jib is raised, get the hoisting line really tight. When sailing, there should be no scallops or sagging between the clips on the jib sail. A loose leading edge is the most com- mon error and generally harmful to the boat’s windward performance. 20....
If it hits something. The blade can be bolted in the up posi- tion for trailering. 22. Centerboard the centerboard is raised and lowered by pulling on the line coming out of the galley face. Tie a knot in the line so you won’t lose it down the hole. The centerboard should be in the down position whe...
25. Safety rails make sure the safety rail posts and forward safety rails are secured with their set screws and cannot pull out. The set screws should be screwed in to where the heads ate up against the socket. The lifelines connect as shown in photos 39, 40 and 41. Photo 39 side safety rail posts p...
29. Boat maintenance leaks: even though the macgregor 26 has no under water thru hull fittings, other than the water access system for the ballast tank, it is a good idea to check the cockpit, outboard well and galley drains to make sure all connections are tight and waterproof. Check the water ball...
Axle maintenance: buy a small grease gun for the hubs and use a high quality multi- purpose non-fibrous grease, similar to the grease used in automobile wheel bearings. Put in enough grease to move the spring loaded piston about 1/8" outward from its seated position. Check the lubricant level in the...
(7) any other person than the first use purchaser of the boat. (8) any boat or part manufactured by macgregor which shall have been altered in any way so as to impair its original characteristics. The foregoing warranties are made in lieu of all other war- ranties, obligations, liabilities, or repre...
