Hi all
Has anyone fitted a spray hood to Mac 26c?
The problem as I see it is the pop top. Though the pop top would not be popped when at sea, the height and squareness of the pop top would have to be accounted for with the hoops of the spray hood being equality high and square
Any help/thoughts would be very welcome
Andy Dodds
Hi Andy
I recently had a spray hood made for my 19, which has a pop-top like the 26C. I had the poles made so that when folded forwards they lie around and just in front of the hatch, allowing it to open normally. It's resulted in a large hood, with quite an unusual square-ish shape, but plenty of space! I also had a cockpit tent made so it can become a full enclosure.
The height is as high as feasible to still clear the boom when sailing, which allows the top to lift as for as it did originally with the hood up. I say that because a while back I replaced the manual support with a gas strut, which lifts the hatch a fair bit higher, so I've had to add a cord restraint to use when the hood is up otherwise the upward pressure of the strut would stretch the fabric.
This shape of the hood precludes the use of a vang, but I don't use that anyway. I've never been keen on vangs, and I have a novel arrangement of main sheets that renders one unnecessary.
I've attached some pics which should give you an idea. The boat behind mine in some of them is Tenacity, Liz Healey's 19, which also has a hood but of a more conventional shape - and also accommodates the vang. The bars lie slightly on top of the hatch, and so have to lift slightly when the top is open, but it doesn't seem to cause a problem.
Hope this helps!
2016-07-23 18.58.36
2016-07-25 19.25.31
2016-07-25 19.25.07
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Hi Rick
Thanks for reply, useful info and very much as I thought.
I'm in Derbyshire, not many sail/spray hood makers around here!!!
Who did yours for you, perhaps I could contact them and talk details
Regards
Andy Dodds
Hi Andy
The steel frame was constructed by Richardsons boatyard at Island Harbour where I keep the boat, after which I took it to Solent Sails in Cowes for the canvas work.
I don't think it would be cost effective to bring your boat to the Isle of Wight specially!
I should think there must be plenty of places around Merseyside, probably the closest coastal area to you.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Canal boats require lots of canvas work, my sister in law lives on a barge and had a load of stuff made up at a staggeringly low price compared to anything near the sea. Your local IWA office might be able to suggest a supplier. I have a 26c as well and have pondered a spray hood but I think I may be tempted to go for something more compact that I'd remove or fold down when popping the top otherwise it looks like rather a lot of windage to me.