Mac Trailer in Salt Water

[Retcoastie]

We are planning a winter trip to Florida with our "new" X. I am afraid the stock trailer is not what I need. I think the saltwater would devour the stock Mac trailer. That is limiting my planning. I believe I would have to launch in fresh water and cruise to salt or have the boat lifted off the trailer and dropped into the saltwater.

What are others doing about this problem? Do you worry about it?

I already know an aluminum or galvanized trailer would be a great asset but I'm not there yet. If anyone is going to point out the obvious, please include make, model, dealer, and approximate cost.

What do you think it would cost to have her lifted off and then back on?

Thanks

[Paul S]

the trailer should be OK if you do wash it down and keep up with the rust. It does rust a lot...but it is better made than it looks..a replacement trailer will cost a lot (well more than I am willing to spend)

Paul

[Chinook]

When we first bought our 2002 X (new) I was unwilling to launch into salt water, and I sling launched whenever venturing out onto the salt chuck. I opted to replace the drum/shoe brakes with stainless disk brakes, which are much easier to rinse. Drum brakes are very hard to thoroughly rinse, and I'd read numerous stories about how quickly they rusted up and stopped functioning when used in salt water. Corrosion of the disk brakes has not been a problem, even with use in salt water.

The trailer itself does rust, and salt water use undoubtedly aggravates this problem. However, it is fairly easy to keep up with, by periodic sanding and painting. Replacing with an aluminum or galvanized trailer is an unacceptably expensive alternative, in my view.

[argonaut]

I live in Florida and trailer sail in salt water. two years now, but my rig's a '97, and it's still in OK condition, some scaling but rinsing and touchups help a lot.
Goalposts rusted off but WM sells nice galvanized replacements.
As mentioned flush the brakes to the extent possible, my trailer never had any because of the maintenance issue with them down here.
I'm looking for a two axle aluminum with discs but mainly so I can trailer farther and more worry-free. For just a season I don't think I'd switch trailers.

[Retcoastie]

Well, that is all good news. I was really worried. I plan on several week long sojourns. I guess I should rinse the trailer after each launching and recovering, eh? Do most ramps in Florida have fresh water available for this purpose? I know the marinas at MacDill and Sigsbee do.

Where and what type brakes did you get, Chinook?

[Chinook]

I had my dealer, Blue Water Yachts, Lake Union WA install them at the same time as they put a tandem axle on the trailer for me. I can't tell you the specific name of the brakes, but if you contact BWY I'm sure Todd can point you in the right direction.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I bought a set of disk replacements from Todd as well. It was a easy installation if you are mechanically minded (or your neighbor is as in my case). We put them on in an afternoon. They are far easier to keep rinsed and working.

My trailer is now 10 yrs old and get's used in salt water often. It is still in very good shape with no more maintenance than rinsing (and the brakes). I always rinse well after every trip. I try to make the last trip in freshwater each season so it get's a good dunk (also flushes the motor well).

I have lately really become partial to the sling lifts in LaConner and DesMoines. They get me in the south or north sound without dipping the trailer. Mid sound we usually launch in Lake Washington and go out through the Ballard locks. This all serves well to keep the trailer in even better shape.

[Chinook]

Hi Duane,

Have you ever sling launched at the Oak Harbor municipal marina? Our son is in the Navy and was based there for several years, so we often put in there. The launch wasn't that expensive. They have lots of room for parking, and at no extra cost. You can even pay for sling launching on a monthly permit basis and do it yourself. If I were local and launching regularly, that's how I'd go.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

We've never launched there. We have stopped in the marina once for fuel, but that's it. For most of our trips it's pretty out of the way.

To get to that launch from the mainland you drive by so many other ones I doubt we would use it. It also puts you quite a ways inside Deception Pass taking more transit time. You go right by La Conner on the way there, not to mention the county launch under the bridge on the Swinomish channel, the Anacortes launches, and the state park launch in Cornet Bay.

We have launched in Cornet Bay a number of times and it is a great place to start a San Juan trip. That was the starting point I picked for the 2003 Mac Rendezvous we organized and led. It was cool to have 17 Macs following our boat out through Deception Pass.

[Gemini]

Well, that is all good news. I was really worried. I plan on several week long sojourns. I guess I should rinse the trailer after each launching and recovering, eh? Do most ramps in Florida have fresh water available for this purpose? I know the marinas at MacDill and Sigsbee do.

Where and what type brakes did you get, Chinook?

Most major ramps do have wash stations. Gulf ramps that are public are typically $5 to $7 to launch per day. But you usually get good parking, washdown, pump out, bait shop, etc...

[Chinook]

Often a faucet is available, but usually lacking a hose. I carry one of those reels that hold a flattened 50 foot hose. Very compact, but still gets the job done. A spray nozzle with shutoff is also handy. If a faucet isn't available nearby (or if local rules prohibit rinsing - an issue at some launch areas), a quick trip to the nearest car wash is the next best bet.

[waternwaves]

I have to agree with duane here........

and the port of LaConner is also great place to launch..... and Diego hasnt scratched my mac or trailer.......

Tho you will normally have to sign a waiver releasing them with a hold harmless, as it is marked/posted that they won't do sailboats, however..........

with the X boat hull, they have always been willing to drop me in.

[Skip Matthies]

retcostie,

I have a 99 that has been well used in salt and fresh. The biggest concern and problem I've had is the upkeep on the drum brakes. I've been traveling down the road with them smoking twice.

There is also a flush kit that can be purchased for about $30 that you attach a hose to and rinses inside the brake drums. The disks are the way to go otherwise.
Enjoy your trip
Skip

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I had the flush kit installed on my drums. I used it every time I rinsed. The shoes were still shot and came off in pieces when I made the switch to discs. The little sprinkler head that goes on the backing plate inside the drum really doesn't do a good job. Save your money and get discs instead.

[Sloop John B]

Hey, I launch in salt all the time. And a while back I'm looking down under the thing and there's a stick like thing jammed up into the works. I pull it out and it's a hollow piece of wood. It snaps like old oak. Weird, it's hollow at both ends.

sh~t, it's my hydraulic line.