26M Aluminum Trailer

[The Islander]

Hey Guys,

I just got first 26M with a stock factory Mac 26M trailer.

Trailer is in great shape but I want the extra axle for towing alot of gear, etc..

I have a 23' Karavan dual axle trailer but the bunks run parallel to the side frames. There are 2 bunks which are 4 feet long, 52 inches apart at the rear. Then there are 2 more bunks, 4 feet long, 36 inches apart in the middle. Then there is 1 keel support at the bow.

The factory 26M trailer has two cross rib style bunks about 3 feet from the stern and another about 5 feet in front of that with the bow bunk at the front.

A few questions.

1. Has anyone had experience with their 26M on a trailer with bunks that run parallel rather than side by side? If so, how has it worked out. Any issues?

2. Based upon the pictures from the 26M Brochure contained in the Resource section here, the position of the fiberglass ballast tank in the bottom of the hull might be a good contact point for the boat resting on parallel bunks. The outside edges of this ballast tank appear to be 16 inches left and right of the keel. They run from the stern up past the daggerboard about a foot. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Ed

[Russ]

Is it the factory ALUMINIMUM trailer? I added a second axle myself for about $1,200 including new wheels and fenders.

I can't comment on your other trailer. It might work, so many variables. Maybe some photos would help. I believe some have replace trailers with that style. Maybe others will comment.

[1st Sail]

IIRC the bunk positions on all OEM Mac trailers are located specifically in relation to the hull for which the trailer was designed. It is my understanding that Mac hulls are reinforced in those locations to support the hull while on the trailer. There are trailer manufacturers that sell a variety of bunks and components which allow you to mount on existing trailers and adjust to fit as needed. Unfortunately, my M spends more time on its OEM steel trailer than in the water. I have not seen any evidence of hull distortion sitting on the bunks in their manufactured locations. If I were to replace my trailer I would match those locations and call it done. Fair winds.

[Be Free]

Check the data plate on the Karavan trailer. I doubt that it was designed to carry something as heavy as a 26M.

If the 23' includes the tongue then it is too short in any case. You would have too much unsupported boat hanging off the end of the trailer and your tongue weight would likely be negative.

[The Islander]

Hey Guys,

The model Karavan I have is the 4800#. It has a GVWR of 5750 lbs. The actual trailer is rated to carry a 4800 lb. boat. I believe the 26M boat with 60 HP engine and other add ons, weighs around 3600 lbs. Can anyone confirm that as a good estimate?

The Karavan 4800# from winch strap hook and bow stop at the front with the post holding the winch moved all the way forward will support 20 feet of boat from the bow eye to the back of bunks which support the boat 8 inches past the frame of the trailer.

My stock 26M Aluminum trailer as designed with a fixed winch position on the trailer, has my 26M boat hanging 42 inches over the rear bunk. The Karavan 4800# will have my 26M Boat hanging 4 feet past the rear bunk. Yes, that is an extra 6 inches more than the stock 26M trailer but with the extra axle and weight of the galvanized steel trailer I do not believe tongue weight will be negative. I am thinking it will be about the same.

Another thing about my stock 26M aluminum trailer, the two rear bunks that run from side to side only support the boat in 3 places on each bunk of about 8 inches each in those 3 places. I know the wood was replaced on the bunks. Maybe the original bunks made contact over the entire area of the bottom. Can anyone confirm the contact points from the originally designed 26M aluminum trailer? Was it more than 8 inches in 3 places on each bunk?

Thanks, Ed

[Be Free]

Ed,
It's not how much boat (weight) is past the bunks but how much is behind the axle that is going to affect your tongue weight.

Your 3600 pounds on the trailer sounds reasonable to me. I estimate my X is around 3100 pounds with fuel, batteries, and engine.

Bill

[The Islander]

Hey Bill,

Thanks for the response.

You are correct that the tongue weight will be determined by how much weight is behind the back axle.

I did not put that in my previous post. I measured my 26M Boat sitting on my 26M Stock Aluminum trailer and found that the boat transom is 102" past the center of the one and only axle.

I measured from the potential bow eye location on my Karavan 4800# to where the same transom location would be. The distance from the center of the rear axle to the transom would be 104". Yes 2 additional inches would add a few more, maybe 50 lbs past the rear axle but feel that the additional weight of the front axle and the fact the trailer is galvanized steel, the extra weight past the rear axle will probably equal out. If not, I know where I can get an extra case of beer for the "V" berth.

Does anyone have an original 26M Aluminum Macgregor trailer that has the original wood bunks in place. If so, does the two side to side bunks only make contact with the boat hull in 3 locations on each of the two rear bunks. My bunks were replaced, but it appears that these bunk contact points only make contact for about 8 inches each.

Thanks, Ed

[Be Free]

I would not worry about the transom being an additional 2" from the rear axle. That is only going to decrease your tongue weight a little under 2%. A six pack in the v-berth should be enough.

[kurz]

Hey Bill,

Thanks for the responseoes anyone have an original 26M Aluminum Macgregor trailer that has the original wood bunks in place. If so, does the two side to side bunks only make contact with the boat hull in 3 locations on each of the two rear bunks. My bunks were replaced, but it appears that these bunk contact points only make contact for about 8 inches each.

Thanks, Ed

Yes,I use the stock alu trailer, 26m,tongue weight CA 100kg, dual axle.

What is your exact question?

[The Islander]

Hey Guys,

I have a stock 2008 26M Aluminum single axle trailer. The wood on the bunks have been the only replacement. I have only owned the trailer for a month.

I am going to use a Karavan 4800# double axle trailer. The boat will fit with only 2 more inches hanging past the middle of the rear most axle. Not concerned about tongue weight being decreased a small amount.

My concern is this. The stock 26M Aluminum single axle trailer has 2 side to side bunks. One is at the rear of the trailer and the other is directly above the axle, 58 inches in front of the one at the rear of the trailer. These 2 bunks only make contact with the hull in 3 locations, each across the hull of the boat. Where they make contact at these 3 locations, the point of contact is only about 8 inches in each location. I want to make sure that the new trailer I will use will provide adequate support across a portion of the hull that can handle some additional weight.

I was surprised to see that Macgregor designed these 2 bunks at the rear with limited contact points across each bunk. As stated before, the boat only makes contact across each bunk at the locations of about 8 inches each.

My question is this.

Did the original design and sale of the 26M Aluminum single axle trailer provide bunks in these locations with these limited contact points? Or did the original design include a wrap around bunk that made contact all the way from one side of the hull to the other?

Are there pictures out there somewhere of the original design of a 2008 26M Aluminum single axle trailer.

Thanks, Ed

[kurz]

Yes, the contact points are just so small.

You seem to have the original trailer setup.

Never heard that the boat cracked.