Narrower Trailer for 26X

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
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rocklighting
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:30 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Long Island, NY

Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by rocklighting »

Hey all,

I am looking at puchasing a 26X. Most of the ones I have seen need work on the trailer or a new one completely. To keep costs down, I would like to store it on the side of my house. My property line is 7' 5" at the narrowest point from our neighbor and would need to pave that area to put a boat it. There is no fence blocking the way and I would be able to have the boat physically hang over the property line as I am backing it in. My issue is with the wheel base. The measurement from the side of the boat to the outside edge of the opposite tire needs to be about 7' or 84 inches give or take a few inches. Would there be any trailer recommendations or any reason why I could not get one custom built? Thanks.
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Hamin' X
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Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by Hamin' X »

The narrower the trailer, the higher the boat will need to sit on it to clear the fenders. This will mean more difficulty in launching, due to having to back in farther. Maybe extend the tongue?

~Rich
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RobertB
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Clarksville, MD

Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by RobertB »

If you only have 7.5 feet, I think you may need to find an alternative. The boat itself is close to 8 feet wide. The stock trailer wheels are very close to the hull, the trailer is no wider than the boat (or very close). Unless you are a professional truck driver, you probable need more than 10 feet to maneuver the trailer backing up, I use better than 12 feet. Remember, you also need to be able to walk around the boat to check tires, clean, perform maintenance, whatever.
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Tomfoolery
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
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Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by Tomfoolery »

Note the boat's beam dimension of 7'-10". The trailer is 8' wide at the fenders and goalposts (at the top), but going narrow wouldn't help, and as Hamin' X said, the boat would have to sit higher on it, what makes for more problems. Not that it can't be done, but it doesn't actually solve anything.

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kevinnem
First Officer
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Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:43 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by kevinnem »

sounds liek a social engineering problem to me.

IT should take 1 - 6pack to solve this :)


I might also as you said 7.5 feet TO THE CLOSEST spot -- what about not putting the boat that far in? is there a plase wider?

Kev.
rocklighting
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:30 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Long Island, NY

Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by rocklighting »

Thanks for the replies. I know the boat will sit higher than the wheels thus creating launching issues. I'm just trying to find alternatives or rather the easiest way/cost effective way to get the boat in there. Slips and winter storage here on Long Island are a decent chunk of change. It would be cheaper to get a trailer custom built and blacktop the side of the house than to deal with the maintenance and fees of a boat in sea water here.

My property is pie shaped, think like a trapezoid. From the corner of my house to the edge of my property is like 7' 5" but it widens out as it goes past the front corner of the house (according to the survey, about 3' past the corner of the house, it is 9' wide). Where it will live is like 12'-15' of property. Unfortunately there is no other place to store it. I travel for a living, and the summers are my busy seasons. So the name of the game is keep costs down so it does feel like I'm spending all this money a month to not use the boat. I used to drive trucks when I was younger. Now, I travel around the world with bands working on the lighting systems for their concert tours. I am constantly watching and involved in parking the semis at the loading dock. Long story short, maneuvering wont be a problem. Does anyone know of any standard trailer that comes 7" wide? Most that I have seen that will fit an X are 8'.
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Catigale
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Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by Catigale »

So pave 7.5 and drive over the last 6 inches with the stock trailer. Repair any damage to the neighbors lawn promptly with a case of beer.
raycarlson
Captain
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Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: tucson,az

Re: Narrower Trailer for 26X

Post by raycarlson »

JUST FOR KICKS I WOULD CHECK your zoning to make sure you can park that close to your lot line,i know i cannot park 50' from front or 40' from side lot lines in my county. you might find that all this worrying is for naught.
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