Jeckells of Wroxham have made me (and fitted with all the studs ) a sprayhood and cockpit cover for my 26X for about £2500, however it was a special 20% off deal , order and pay in November for delivery in Spring, (or Summer as it turned out).
The issue here is that my boat was moored about 5 mins drive from their sail loft so they could measure up, and revisit the boat at any time. and it did take a few visits to get it right. I can raise the aft seat with it on to get at the engine/rudders or for stern mooring, as long as its unhooked, and i have a cover which allows it to stow away against the backstay when sailing/motoring. It uses an elongated genoa track for the support poles, again supplied and fitted by Jeckells in the price. I think it was the first mac cover they have done, so i don't know it they would keep to the same price now they know the issues with it!
The contact there is Peter Jeckells on 01603 784488, and you can mention my name and 'the yacht at Crabbetts Marsh' , but make sure you let him know its not the same model as mine.
A major mod I commissioned some time ago (and is now part of the fixtures and fittingd) is a holding tank situated under the starboard V berth. This is linked to the marine toilet via a valve splitter so that waste can either be pumped out to sea or into the holding tanks. This was extremely useful while we were based on the Thames. Most marinas have a holding tank pump out service.
Further to my list above and the V berth access alteration I have noted I have constructed last year a system to mount a small tender outboard at the rear using the swimm ladder fixing . Can be deployed if needed for emermency manourering power . See photos added to my dropbox . Also the new fuel cans that fit snug to double my fuel capacity .
Another small fun mod last year was a detachable bowsprit made from strong pickaxe handle which helps my spinnaker fly nad has allowed 3 sail reach in light air .
THE MAIN DEAL HOWEVER IS THE DIESEL HEATER ! .......lovely warmth after a cold wet day ! ....see photos and my diagram and my explanation in the next posting
DIESEL HEATER .......I decided to mount the Eberspacher type heater as high up in the cabin as I could so that any condensing vapours could run out and not end up gurgling . This avoids the need for a drain point in the exhaust . The heater comes with a short unsuitable exhaust so I ordered a really special bit of kit , a 2 metere lentgth of s/s exhaust with integral silencer that comes wrapped in heat insulation and all within a large s/s corrugated hose so creating extra air insulation . ( Mellor Online , £175.00) . I also bought a good grade angled exhaust skin fitting and a right angled join to enable a neat attachment to the heater.
The heater was placed in the starboard side recess above the stern bunk .
A hole was drilled high up in rear of this area large enough to take the inner part of the exhaust which I had extended out about 12 inches from the outer tube. A platform for the heater was created using some flexible caravan curtain track and plywood board ( this was quite tricky to get the size and shape correct ). Heater is mounted to the platform via a metal plate and rubber spacers .
Large hatch front was created at stern s/b side replacing existing round inspection hatch . Size just enough to fit diesel tank and allow access for work . The hand bilge pump piping stretched across this area so I had to buy longer pipe and awkwardly fit it to the pump having removed floatation .
Removing lots more floatation I could access the starboard side void that is behind the cockpit seat back . Fortunately the void was empty so it was easy enough to feed my exhaust pipe up to the new hole made ( using a guide wire ) and hold it in place using seizing wire fixed around screw of jubilee clip . I bunched up the insulating material from the extended exhaust pie to help fix and insulate it as it passed through the hole.
Within the cabin the exhaust is bent in 2 right angles first downwards behind the air intake of the heater and then forwards to join the right angled steel connector which in turn is attached to the exhaust of the heater . I used gun gum to make the joins and quality stainless steel jubilee clips .
Rear exhaust skin fitting was placed as low down as I could feasibly place it so that 2m exhaust could reach and I could still get access to make the joins. Extra layer of non-structural fibreglass sheet was a nuisance ! Again gun gum fixing . The air intake for the heater comes from within the boat ( I opted not to use fresh air ) so their was no extra tube needed for that .
Fuel line required me to purchase and fit a draw tube for the tank since I really did not want to risk having a bottom feed point that might leak. Its really quit tricky to fit the tube so if you can get one already fitted that is great. The system came with pump and filter and I was advised to fit a damper after the pump so to reduce knocking sound . The pump is also mounted in a rubber holder to reduce vibration . I made a special fixing for this . The system came with hard nylon type fuel line which I was suspicious of but then read that it is good since it is not distensible nor easily corroded and you can use short lengths of rubber fuel line to join the sections ( using springy clip connectors so they cant drop off ) . The line is fed forwards in the void and pops out from behind the inner lining of the cabin to be fixed to the fuel point of the heater. I have used an extra clip screwed to the platform to support it at this point .
Finally the power feed was joined to a length of cable long enough to be taken back behind the liner and into the diesel locker area and from there to drop down to the rear of the bilge and forward again to the house battery via an isolation switch and fuse . The remote control panel feed was fed around to suitable point on starboard side of the cabin where easily reached and visible .
Once fully tested out to ensure no exhaust leaks I was really pleased to have used it last year during a cold rainy 10 day trip to the Thames and a few times since . I have not attached any hosing to the blower vent of the exhaust , leaving it to blow warm air straight out into the cabin. In theory I could duct it all around the boat but life is too short !
I was concerned that one day I might accidentally touch the very hot exhaust so I have bought some metal mesh that I intend to fix to cover this . In practice however it hasnt been an issue.
In total I think I spent £130.00 on the heater and about £250.00 on upgraded parts including the exhaust . V happy with it !
Roly
PS, I managed to fit back almost all the floatation foam by determined stuffing and using the under filled port side and I still have a bit of space in my new locker for the diesel fill tank and funnel etc.
I spoke to them at Southampton boatshow just before the pandemic. They said it doesn't work with the Macgregor. It need side decks either side of the cockpit.
peter.cullender wrote: Hi, Has anyone used this product from Habitent.com stockton-on-tees, TS18 4EN. Any views, info, gratefully accepted. Helena Rose 26m 2003.
Just wondering if anybody has recommendations for a swivel cockpit table for a 26m. I have looked at some online but because of the angle of the wheel console I wondered whether I need a specialist fixing for the table. Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Has anyone used this product from Habitent.com stockton-on-tees, TS18 4EN. Any views, info, gratefully accepted.
Helena Rose 26m 2003.
Hi
Jeckells of Wroxham have made me (and fitted with all the studs ) a sprayhood and cockpit cover for my 26X for about £2500, however it was a special 20% off deal , order and pay in November for delivery in Spring, (or Summer as it turned out).
The issue here is that my boat was moored about 5 mins drive from their sail loft so they could measure up, and revisit the boat at any time. and it did take a few visits to get it right. I can raise the aft seat with it on to get at the engine/rudders or for stern mooring, as long as its unhooked, and i have a cover which allows it to stow away against the backstay when sailing/motoring. It uses an elongated genoa track for the support poles, again supplied and fitted by Jeckells in the price. I think it was the first mac cover they have done, so i don't know it they would keep to the same price now they know the issues with it!
The contact there is Peter Jeckells on 01603 784488, and you can mention my name and 'the yacht at Crabbetts Marsh' , but make sure you let him know its not the same model as mine.
Regards
Ian
AQUILA 26x 1914
Hi Ian,
Thanks for the info, much obliged.
Best regards, peter c.
Helena Rose 26m 2003.
A major mod I commissioned some time ago (and is now part of the fixtures and fittingd) is a holding tank situated under the starboard V berth. This is linked to the marine toilet via a valve splitter so that waste can either be pumped out to sea or into the holding tanks. This was extremely useful while we were based on the Thames. Most marinas have a holding tank pump out service.
Simon Armitage
Sowenna 26M
I have now added photos of more mods that have also been documented in Our magazine. Namely
Dinghy outboard removable mount on ladder.
Doubled fuel capacity with new tanks.
Diesel heater for interior mounted in recess above stern bunk starboard side with new stern locker for deisel and fuel stuff.
Currently in working on revamped heads door...stay tuned!
Roly
Further to my list above and the V berth access alteration I have noted I have constructed last year a system to mount a small tender outboard at the rear using the swimm ladder fixing . Can be deployed if needed for emermency manourering power . See photos added to my dropbox . Also the new fuel cans that fit snug to double my fuel capacity .
Another small fun mod last year was a detachable bowsprit made from strong pickaxe handle which helps my spinnaker fly nad has allowed 3 sail reach in light air .
THE MAIN DEAL HOWEVER IS THE DIESEL HEATER ! .......lovely warmth after a cold wet day ! ....see photos and my diagram and my explanation in the next posting
DIESEL HEATER .......I decided to mount the Eberspacher type heater as high up in the cabin as I could so that any condensing vapours could run out and not end up gurgling . This avoids the need for a drain point in the exhaust . The heater comes with a short unsuitable exhaust so I ordered a really special bit of kit , a 2 metere lentgth of s/s exhaust with integral silencer that comes wrapped in heat insulation and all within a large s/s corrugated hose so creating extra air insulation . ( Mellor Online , £175.00) . I also bought a good grade angled exhaust skin fitting and a right angled join to enable a neat attachment to the heater.
The heater was placed in the starboard side recess above the stern bunk .
A hole was drilled high up in rear of this area large enough to take the inner part of the exhaust which I had extended out about 12 inches from the outer tube. A platform for the heater was created using some flexible caravan curtain track and plywood board ( this was quite tricky to get the size and shape correct ). Heater is mounted to the platform via a metal plate and rubber spacers .
Large hatch front was created at stern s/b side replacing existing round inspection hatch . Size just enough to fit diesel tank and allow access for work . The hand bilge pump piping stretched across this area so I had to buy longer pipe and awkwardly fit it to the pump having removed floatation .
Removing lots more floatation I could access the starboard side void that is behind the cockpit seat back . Fortunately the void was empty so it was easy enough to feed my exhaust pipe up to the new hole made ( using a guide wire ) and hold it in place using seizing wire fixed around screw of jubilee clip . I bunched up the insulating material from the extended exhaust pie to help fix and insulate it as it passed through the hole.
Within the cabin the exhaust is bent in 2 right angles first downwards behind the air intake of the heater and then forwards to join the right angled steel connector which in turn is attached to the exhaust of the heater . I used gun gum to make the joins and quality stainless steel jubilee clips .
Rear exhaust skin fitting was placed as low down as I could feasibly place it so that 2m exhaust could reach and I could still get access to make the joins. Extra layer of non-structural fibreglass sheet was a nuisance ! Again gun gum fixing . The air intake for the heater comes from within the boat ( I opted not to use fresh air ) so their was no extra tube needed for that .
Fuel line required me to purchase and fit a draw tube for the tank since I really did not want to risk having a bottom feed point that might leak. Its really quit tricky to fit the tube so if you can get one already fitted that is great. The system came with pump and filter and I was advised to fit a damper after the pump so to reduce knocking sound . The pump is also mounted in a rubber holder to reduce vibration . I made a special fixing for this . The system came with hard nylon type fuel line which I was suspicious of but then read that it is good since it is not distensible nor easily corroded and you can use short lengths of rubber fuel line to join the sections ( using springy clip connectors so they cant drop off ) . The line is fed forwards in the void and pops out from behind the inner lining of the cabin to be fixed to the fuel point of the heater. I have used an extra clip screwed to the platform to support it at this point .
Finally the power feed was joined to a length of cable long enough to be taken back behind the liner and into the diesel locker area and from there to drop down to the rear of the bilge and forward again to the house battery via an isolation switch and fuse . The remote control panel feed was fed around to suitable point on starboard side of the cabin where easily reached and visible .
Once fully tested out to ensure no exhaust leaks I was really pleased to have used it last year during a cold rainy 10 day trip to the Thames and a few times since . I have not attached any hosing to the blower vent of the exhaust , leaving it to blow warm air straight out into the cabin. In theory I could duct it all around the boat but life is too short !
I was concerned that one day I might accidentally touch the very hot exhaust so I have bought some metal mesh that I intend to fix to cover this . In practice however it hasnt been an issue.
In total I think I spent £130.00 on the heater and about £250.00 on upgraded parts including the exhaust . V happy with it !
Roly
PS, I managed to fit back almost all the floatation foam by determined stuffing and using the under filled port side and I still have a bit of space in my new locker for the diesel fill tank and funnel etc.
I spoke to them at Southampton boatshow just before the pandemic. They said it doesn't work with the Macgregor. It need side decks either side of the cockpit.
Hi David
The owners of Habitent retired in 2021, Facebook just shows the business up for sail. Sad it seemed an inexpensive alternative.
Jonathan
Just wondering if anybody has recommendations for a swivel cockpit table for a 26m. I have looked at some online but because of the angle of the wheel console I wondered whether I need a specialist fixing for the table. Thanks in advance.
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