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Isn't that a coincidence, it was my starboard one that busted off too ... just last Friday. I swear, seems like something is breaking on the trailer now everytime I launch or retrieve the boat.

I was able to unbolt it without any trouble and was about to take it to a welder but now I see this post that says replacements can be had for 45 bucks... Has anyone successfuly ordered replacements for the 26X? Do you call the factory or get them from a dealer?

I did drill holes in mine shortly after I got the boat and recognized the design problem....but obviously, too much damage had already been done. If I get new ones, I'll drill them out right away. Also, I use 2 inch PVC pipes to extend them. These pipes are capped so they keep the water out. I'll bet they weren't on there from the beginning though. Very much rust on the inside of the tubes.

Hey Jack, nice trailer switch in those pics. I take it you are loving that new aluminum trailer. I'll be in the market soon too I suppose but I keep stubbornly fixing the old trailer everytime something busts off. I'm starting to worry a bit though that this strategy could lead to a major failure at some point. Until they build a dock at my neighborhood boat ramp though, I am highly dependent on the ladder at the bow. Anyone get a trailer shop to put a ladder on a new trailer?

For that matter, anyone wait long enough to have a major failure with a Mac trailer?

Dimitri - an alternative to getting a ladder put on the trailer might be breaking out 1/4-1/3 of a boat buck and getting a good quality portable boarding ladder....get one that you could fold up and stow up front perhaps rather than putting money into one you have to leave at the dock.

I weigh 200#, (220# after Xmas) and use a two step foot ladder on the beach for getting back on board - I wouldnt want to up and down it a lot, but for the one time boarding on launching it would be fine...I have fairly good balance Im told, which might be important....a better ladder might obviate this need...

Quick research shows Boat ladders of the kinds Im thinking might only be 1/10 Boat Bucks....

Thanks for the tip Steve. I have one of these types of ladders from a former powerboat, but I think it is designed to hook over the gunnel. This works ok in the cockpit, but how would you use one of those ladders from the bow?

And for those inquiring minds, I just talked to Bill at MacGregor factory parts and he told me that they do not stock the 26X goalposts anymore for the trailer, he also did not think the 26M goalposts would work on a 26X trailer.....so, looks like my only viable option now is a local welder.

The other interesting thing he said was that he thinks its more economical to keep fixing the old trailer versus buying a new one. Of course, this is fine for people with a lot of time on their hands....also my finger is getting a bit tired emptying out spray paint cans.

The other thing he said was that he thinks I would end up paying almost as much again as a new trailer itself, to get them to adjust it properly to the 26X. I don't think this is what I've heard from others who have totally replaced their trailers though.