Driveway Sailing

A forum for discussing issues relating to trailers and towing MacGregor sailboats.
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Harvey
Deckhand
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:48 am
Location: Salem, OR '02 X5193, Yamaha F50

Driveway Sailing

Post by Harvey »

The PNW has been under a High Wind Warning this evening, with winds exceeding 40 mph in Salem, OR where I live. I went out for a little while and returned to find my MacX had tacked to port and was sideways in my driveway, blocking my garage. The boat had been parked pointed south, and the wind was from the SW. The port wheel was chocked front and rear, and the stbd wheel was chocked at the rear. It was good for a few laughs, since there was no damage and it wasn’t too difficult to push it back into the proper position, rechock the wheels and tie the trailer tongue to a nearby utility pole. I’m surprised that the cheap blue tarp is still intact in all that wind. I hope the pole and the boat and the tarp are still there in the morning.
James V
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Post by James V »

I had a 16' er and a Hurricane came through. We got wind above 40 for several hours. I had it chained to a fence post.

Good luck. A little late now but you may want to put some sort of post in the gound to secure to.
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Hamin' X
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Post by Hamin' X »

Lends new meaning to the term: "Trailer Sailor". When you tied off to the pole, did you use a bridle to offset the pull, so she won't sail back and forth? Might want to run up a staysail.

Rich
Harvey
Deckhand
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:48 am
Location: Salem, OR '02 X5193, Yamaha F50

Post by Harvey »

All is well. The utility pole is still standing, almost directly upwind of the trailer tongue, and the boat didn't move during the night. I was concerned, though, about the increased wind speed caused by the blue tarp.
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Terry
Admiral
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70

High winds

Post by Terry »

In the Vancouver/Victoria region we got 45-60mph winds, I didn't notice mine moved though, it was dark out this morning, I'd best have a closer look when I get home. This was the third of a trio we've had. Gettin nasty out there lately. :o
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beene
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Ontario Canada, '07 26M, Merc 75 4s PEGASUS

Post by beene »

Harvey
I take it you rest the tongue of your tailor on the wheel jack? I thought that was a no no??? I always rest the tongue on a big block of wood, so that it does not move and no load on the wheel jack for extended periods of time. I would also think that the grease on the jack would get washed away and expose that area to rust faster than closing it up when not in use. Just my opinion really, I am no expert on the subject to be sure.
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