This needs to be every Mac owners first modification

MARK PASSMORE · Post by **MARK PASSMORE** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:08 pm

As hard as it is to get a Mac on the trailer in a heavy currant or any kind of cross wind. Not to mention how dangerous loading any boat can be. A few extra guide post should be the first mod on your list.
Don’t make the same mistake that I made by waiting until your gel coat is scratched.
For around $60.00 to $70.00 dollars and a few hours work you can have taller guide post. That will allow you to put the trailer deeper in the water. Which allows you to keep the dagger board down a few inches until you are a lot closer to the trailer before pulling it up completely. Also with the second set of guide post the bow of the boat doesn’t swing sideways once you get half way up on the trailer. Now I look like a pro at the ramp.

Beepa Nick · Post by **Beepa Nick** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:08 pm

I agree, Mark. For my first modification I made the existing guides "taller" by simply slipping 1.5 inch PVC over them. Adding a second set of guides will make it a lot better. I also have ended up "crosswise" the trailer in a strong river current or crosswind...to the detriment of the gel coat and prop. Thanks for a great idea!

Jack Sparrow · Post by **Jack Sparrow** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:26 pm

I havn't done this one yet

Jack Sparrow

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:27 pm

I solved this problem by keeping my Mac in the water 100% of the time and using it 5 days a week

Of course, I have migrated to the Left Coast

(again)

Rick

Boblee · Post by **Boblee** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:41 pm

We used the extra guides from the dealer but like the idea of extending them higher, can think of plenty of times where it would have been more than gelcoat scratched.
Actually this is the only option that our dealer actually "Recommends" on his list.
Of course being a Smart A I didn't take any notice until almost making a mess of the boat, sometimes we should take advice from people who should know.

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:45 pm

Ha!! You think you're a smart A

Rick

Mistral · Post by **Mistral** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:52 pm

That'll be my next thing on the list. The boat nearly swung sideways this morning when launching.

MARK PASSMORE · Post by **MARK PASSMORE** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:02 pm

a few more photos of the parts needed

pxk3 · Post by **pxk3** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:04 pm

Can you provide any parts numbers for the hardware you used to make the 2nd set of guide posts

MARK PASSMORE · Post by **MARK PASSMORE** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:26 pm

I was trying to find my receipt so that I could tell everyone the name of the parts but I’ve misplaced it. The pipe is simple conduit I think it is galvanized so it will not hold up to salt water as long as alloy or stainless but it is cheap enough that when it starts to rust just replace it.

The key is to buy the elbow a little bit bigger than the pipe so that the pipe will slip into the elbow. Then PVC fits over the galvanized pipe.
I bought 2 ten foot pipes and cut them in half giving me 4 five footers. I cant remember what the brackets were called it seems like leg brackets or something. Just print the picture and take it to the hardware store and ask for something similar.

I found that even after I tightened down the large bolt to hold the elbow it was still a bit loose so I drilled two cross holes and put two stainless bolts through sideways. That did the trick it is very sturdy now.
Remember to use oil with the drilling and it is very easy.

Boblee · Post by **Boblee** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:34 am

Rick I know I am a smart A as everyone tells me so, my son even tells me he is going to put a urinal on my headstone so everyone who couldn't get a word in while I was alive can p1ss on my head.

I was born this way and come from a long line of smart a's must be the Scot blood as the french/pommie side wouldn't cause it

puggsy · Post by **puggsy** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:38 am

To solve the side drift problem, I ran a line down each side from the rear existing staunchion on the trailer to the tip if the pipe "V". To fix the line at the "V" I added a shackle to the tip of each arm. Then using swimming pool spaghetti, the multi coloured floating stuff with the hollow centre, ran those side lines through the spag. centre for the whole length. As well as the pipe arms of the "V". Then fixed them as tight as I could get them. They form two straight lines from the staunchions to the "V", actually narrower than the

. As the

goes on to or in to the trailer, there is no scratching due to the spag. [ very soft] and the lines just expand and stretch sideways as the

goes on...She can't go nowhere!. No stretch line is best, but I used a 2 cheap 9 metre lengths that cost $2 a pack. The spag, was 8 lengths X $2 = $16. If the

is pushed sideways at all, the rope just gets tighter and holds her...
puggsy 06

Kelly Hanson East · Post by **Kelly Hanson East** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:23 am

for 40 use you could fab this all out of PVC and just STD fittings to make the right angle turns

Attach by lashing or ss hangers

Drill holes in bottom to drain

No corrosion to worry about.

Boblee · Post by **Boblee** » Sun May 11, 2008 6:35 am

Thats not a bad idea Puggsy as you say it can't go anywhere, not sure what you mean by the pool spaghetti though.

Oskar 26M · Post by **Oskar 26M** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:10 am

I like puggys pool spaghetti idea.
On the original thread, rollers on the guide posts probably reduce the risk of scratching when battling a crosswind during retrieval
Oskar's trailer is still in the workshop being upgraded, but here is a pic of what its rollers look like:

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com