The Oh So Lowly Mac Trailer.

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
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TonyHouk
First Officer
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Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 3:36 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: My New Hometown, Fort Mill, S.c. "98 X with a '95 Evinrude 115

The Oh So Lowly Mac Trailer.

Post by TonyHouk »

Hey All,
I was driving up the turnpike today to work and I pasted a nice powerboat on a trailer. I could not believe the heigth of the boat off the ground. His boat was about the same length as our's but about two to three feet higher to the bottom of the transom then our's. I replaced my trailer last year and I am glad it did not raise it off the ground like that boat. I currently back into the water so that my back wheels are even with the water. I could not see having to go any farther then that to launch my boat. My ode to the Mac trailer. Or at least a knock off of it. I am off my soapbox now at least a little lower. Happy sails, Tony
Mark Prouty
Admiral
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Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner

Re: The Oh So Lowly Mac Trailer.

Post by Mark Prouty »

TonyHouk wrote:Hey All,
I could not see having to go any farther then that to launch my boat. My ode to the Mac trailer. Or at least a knock off of it.
There is a boat landing in University Bay that is handy for me to use. This year they have been doing work on the blacktop near it. They have ripped out the pier and made the cement launch inacessible. I noticed small fishing boats launching on the opposite side of the pier from the cement launch. No cement just dirt on the shore and small stones in the water and a shallow drop-off. I've launched and retrieved my boat there with no problem. Course the 4 wheel drive is mandatory.

The soundness of construction of the trailer leaves much to be disired but the low profile and ladder sure make it handy for launching.
Don B
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Post by Don B »

Our boats are low but at least the ground clearance on our trailers is pretty normal. I looked at a sailboat trailer when I was retrieving my Sears Jet WInd from dry storage and that sailboat trailer looked like it didn't have 4 inches of ground clearance. Seems like it would snag on everything.

-Don B
Don B
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Post by Don B »

Tony,

Was the "Lowly" in your Subject meant to convey two meanings ??

-Don B
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TonyHouk
First Officer
Posts: 278
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 3:36 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: My New Hometown, Fort Mill, S.c. "98 X with a '95 Evinrude 115

Post by TonyHouk »

Don,
Nope just to say that our's are lower to the ground/water. That is even with my new trailer. Happy sails, Tony
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Jesse Days Pacific Star 2
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Post by Jesse Days Pacific Star 2 »

Love the low profile, so easy to launch.
Don B
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Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:07 pm

Post by Don B »

I've own my Mac for about a year now and have not launched it once.

So really can't speak of the trailers merits.

Sort of makes me think of a friend of mine who flew three times in an airplane before he actually ever experienced landing in an airplane.

-Don B
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Jesse Days Pacific Star 2
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Post by Jesse Days Pacific Star 2 »

Don, It's so easy to launch. My back tires never touch the water.

Jesse
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Andy26M
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Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 10:08 am
Location: Rochester, NY - 2004 26M

Easier than others for sure

Post by Andy26M »

I recently spent 10 days lake camping with my Dad. He has an 18' bow-rider type powerboat. I have a Mac 26M. (it was a great combo btw - my boat for picnics, sightseeing, getting out of the rain - his boat for waterskiiing!)

His trailer had his (much smaller) boat at least a foot higher off the ground than my Mac, plus he has rollers vice bunks. Between the height and the rollers, and the rather shallow ramp, he almost had the back bumber of his SUV underwater and still had to winch the boat the whole way up - could not drive on at all.

Same ramp, my SUV just had the rear tires at the water's edge, and I drove my Mac (ballast empty) right up on the trailer :)

- AndyS
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Harry van der Meer
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Warwick Neck, RI

Post by Harry van der Meer »

This is one thing MacGregor designed very well. Launching and retrieving is really as simple and quick as shown on the Mac video. I use the trailer all the time and I have got this procedure fully under control. Many times I have had bystanders who told me that they were amazed how easy it was.
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Jesse Days Pacific Star 2
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Post by Jesse Days Pacific Star 2 »

Ditto!!
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