26 Mackinaw Restoration & Cummins Conversion Project

[SUBH2OHNTR]

These fuel tanks were installed in 2016 and were just coated with a thin coat of gray epoxy paint that was falling off. They also did nothing to stop the foam from running under the tanks and filling the drain holes in the stringers front and rear. The tank wells were holding water when I opened them up and the boat had been indoors for months. I had them blasted then welded some return bungs in them, I really only need to weld one in one tank as they both had bungs but one would have been in the rear of the tank where there was no clearance for a return fitting. I’m a sucker for things being symmetrical so I did them both. I applied 2 heavy coats of coal tar epoxy to the top and bottom of the tanks and 4 on the sides where they will contact the foam. I also welded bungs in the mast so I could use waterproof cable glands for all the wiring going in

[90BigMack]

These fuel tanks were installed in 2016 and were just coated with a thin coat of gray epoxy paint that was falling off. They also did nothing to stop the foam from running under the tanks and filling the drain holes in the stringers front and rear. The tank wells were holding water when I opened them up and the boat had been indoors for months. I had them blasted then welded some return bungs in them, I really only need to weld one in one tank as they both had bungs but one would have been in the rear of the tank where there was no clearance for a return fitting. I’m a sucker for things being symmetrical so I did them both. I applied 2 heavy coats of coal tar epoxy to the top and bottom of the tanks and 4 on the sides where they will contact the foam. I also welded bungs in the mast so I could use waterproof cable glands for all the wiring going in

Nice clean work. Boat looks great!

[SUBH2OHNTR]

I’m currently trying to figure out how much anchor line to purchase. I have a Lewmar pro series 700 windlass I’m installing and was wondering how much 1/2 3 strand line will fit in the rope locker of the 26 ? Im thinking I would like to carry 400-450 what are you guys carrying ? I have 20ft of 1/4 G4 chain also

[Quik Fix]

I have 600' of 1/2" and 40' of chain. Have the same windlass. Make sure you use the chain and rode they suggest. I didn't at first. Was a problem.

[SUBH2OHNTR]

I have 600' of 1/2" and 40' of chain. Have the same windlass. Make sure you use the chain and rode they suggest. I didn't at first. Was a problem.

Thanks the line comes in a 600ft spool so I may just put 500 in there and make 4 25ft dock lines with the remaining. I have the correct chain and I have a friend that splices the line into the chain for me. The only time we have had issues is with line that is smaller than it’s advertised diameter. We have made about a dozen or so anchor rode’s for customers that want more than the standard 10/150’s and 15/200’s that are commonly produced.

[Fish Witch]

I have the Lewmar ProFish 700 also, and use 500' of 8-plait line since it flakes nicely into the limited anchor locker space, at least in my 270. I don't know if the 26 has more space though Quick Fix carries 600' and seems like he uses 3-strand if I understand right. 3-strand would be cheaper and making dock lines with the extra is a plus if you get the 600' spool.
That windlass has a few limitations for deep water fishing (I fish for halibut in 300' typically), which I'm glad to share if you're not familiar with it. One of which is to push in the free fall pin while retrieving from deep water. If you ever hear a thump, thump, thump while retrieving, it's going to lock up the capstan making it a power up power down unit. Don't ask how I know
And nice job on your boat, hope you get her out fishing soon!

[SUBH2OHNTR]

I have the Lewmar ProFish 700 also, and use 500' of 8-plait line since it flakes nicely into the limited anchor locker space, at least in my 270. I don't know if the 26 has more space though Quick Fix carries 600' and seems like he uses 3-strand if I understand right. 3-strand would be cheaper and making dock lines with the extra is a plus if you get the 600' spool.
That windlass has a few limitations for deep water fishing (I fish for halibut in 300' typically), which I'm glad to share if you're not familiar with it. One of which is to push in the free fall pin while retrieving from deep water. If you ever hear a thump, thump, thump while retrieving, it's going to lock up the capstan making it a power up power down unit. Don't ask how I know
And nice job on your boat, hope you get her out fishing soon!

Thank you I hope to get it in sometime this spring 🤞This windlass was a Profish free fall that I took off a customers boat. He had a lot of problems with the free fall mechanism and asked me to put a new non free fall 700 on the boat. I told him it could be converted to a standard windlass but he wasn’t having it, he said it was cursed. I’m not too proud to go shopping in the scrap bin so I pulled it apart put new seals and bearings in it and converted it to a standard 700 I don’t fish really deep maybe 150 but with the range and economy of the diesel I may find myself a bit deeper. The reason I want a good bit of line is that we will do a lot of stuff with this boat we haven’t ordinarily done and I want to have enough line for whatever situation arises

[Fish Witch]

Thank you I hope to get it in sometime this spring 🤞This windlass was a Profish free fall that I took off a customers boat. He had a lot of problems with the free fall mechanism and asked me to put a new non free fall 700 on the boat. I told him it could be converted to a standard windlass but he wasn’t having it, he said it was cursed. I’m not too proud to go shopping in the scrap bin so I pulled it apart put new seals and bearings in it and converted it to a standard 700 I don’t fish really deep maybe 150 but with the range and economy of the diesel I may find myself a bit deeper. The reason I want a good bit of line is that we will do a lot of stuff with this boat we haven’t ordinarily done and I want to have enough line for whatever situation arises

LOL! Cursed is what my slip mate called his and got rid of it. That free fall system they have on it is the problem for sure and I've heard of way too many folks having their cap jam up so it can't be freed up no matter what you do. I had my original one replaced on warranty by Lewmar after it got jammed up and this was after greasing up and replacing that brass pin. The tech I spoke with said they're not really meant to fish as deep as I do so I've learned to push that pin in when retrieving and it's lasted probably 10 years now without a problem. Just remember to put it back in free fall so you can release it from the helm next time. I also had a good experience with the Lewmar techs when one of my over eager deck hands broke off the little knob that releases the free fall pin and he sent me one he had in his parts bin free. So good on them for their service. The other trick is to clean up the threads on the cap with a tap (it's a 5/8"-24 tap) so it runs freely. The cap is chrome plated brass so is easily distorted. So with a bit of care, it's been reliable for me and lots cheaper than most alternatives.

[SUBH2OHNTR]

I’ve been busy working on the boat. I’m at the point where it doesn’t look like huge progress anymore cause all the major components are installed and I’m just working through the list. I have installed, plumbed and wired the fuel tanks. I installed the bow pulpit, anchor roller, rebuilt and installed windlass, installed cleats where old line chocks were, installed navigation lights, installed hawse hole in deck, installed water tank fill and vent, wired windlass, installed midship cleats, installed rod holders, installed swim platform, rear cleats, stern eyes, trim tabs and sealed and bolted the roof down for good. Also been working on some misc. wiring and plumbing.

[SUBH2OHNTR]

Also installed the fresh water tank, painted the backside of all my tubs and the bottom of some of the hatch’s with bilgekote.

[SUBH2OHNTR]

Few more pictures

[SUBH2OHNTR]

If anyone has a source for replacement teak grates for the platform please let me know. Mine are intact at this point but they are starting to split at the seams and are extremely degraded from the sun.

[Fisherlady2]

Where are you located?

[Pedlyr]

Love this restoration, keep the pics coming! The teak swim platform on my 20 Cuddy was getting very worn and thin. I ended up buying rough sawn teak at a local lumber yard. I cut and planed the wood and copied what was there. Wasn't too hard and came out great.

[SUBH2OHNTR]

Yes we have thought about doing this if we can’t find someone to do it locally. My carpentry skills are very limited so that will be a last resort. If I do end I building them it will be after the boat is 100% complete

[SUBH2OHNTR]

I want to keep large amounts of water out of the fish cooker and being a diesel I wanted to keep the hatch’s from rattling so I hinged them and added latch’s. I haven’t installed gaskets yet but I will. I also removed the piece of steel pipe they had glassed to the bottom of the floor panel and glassed in a new Coosa support.

This is what we decided to use for hatch gaskets

[90BigMack]

This is what we decided to use for hatch gaskets

I saw this on Amazon and thought it would be a solid gasket. Made to go over metal pinch mold.

[TK26HT]

Nice, I found another gasket I’m going to try but I like your idea