MacGregorSailors.com

Billy - - - the plastic bags sounds like too much work and trouble - - - I think I'll stick with the MacBump

Rick

Link to previous accident report, for those who haven't seen it.

The motor you see in the back of the truck is the dinghy motor.

I should note that my boat is tied to the trailer by the stern cleats, but only the winch holding the bow, no auxiliary chain or whatever to the trailer tongue.

I believe my boat had just the right combination of shock absorbing for this particular accident. I believe if the boat had been tied to the trailer any more than it was, there may have been more severe damage to the boat, trailer, possibly even the tow vehicle. Any looser (for instance, no ties off the stern cleats) it likely would come in through the back window. For the same reason, I hesitate to make the bunks any more slippery with dishwasher detergent, liquid rollers, or whatever. I have to hit the Mac bump pretty hard to make it slide forward to the stop, and that's just the way it like it.

These guys are correct, even the m26 dvd and brochure tells us to do the MAC BUMP.

I posted this earlier in Sept.

My problems with the mac-bump appeared to escalate after I painted anti-fouling paint on the bottom.

The solution I came up with was in the form of a 12 inch turnbuckle hooked onto the padeye at the bow at the same time the winch hook is snapped into place, . The opposite end is dropped over a hook that has been welded onto the 2nd top step of my 2001 trailer. Both winch and t'buckle are then tightened by hand.

Never fails, and when back on the level, the bow remains in contact with the front stop.

Ron

That could be part of my problem. I have a not so smooth bottom epoxy from the PO. That may be providing too much friction for the "Mac Bump" to overcome.

I am 0 for 2 doing that manuever.

But I am going to for my second sail tomorrow and will get to try it again. I think I will also use a little bit of soap on the boards and see if that helps.

I don't trailer very far...less than a mile. But with the boat sitting over half a foot from the front roller I a concerned about the trailer being rear heavy.

Jim

Even though you are only towing a short distance, you also need to be concerned about a violent, sudden stop. Most accidents occur within twenty-five miles of home. With your boat that far from the bow stop I'd try really hard to get your Mac in the proper tow position.

Are you sure you are going fast enough to do the "Mac Bump?"


Ray

Ray,

I think that may be part of it as well. I will try and get to 10 mph tomorrow when I trailer.

Had my second sail as a Mac owner today but I parked in a slip overnight since I plan to sail again tomorrow ($7.50 for 1 night...a bargain compared to derigging and loading on the trailer only to do it again the next morning ).

Jim

$7.50 a night makes sense to me. What is the weather there?


Ray

Ray,

I am sailing out of the Marina at NAS Jacksonville. The weather today was beautiful...72ish, blue skies, winds forecast NE at 10 but I think they were more around 12-15.

First time sailing with the foresail. Probably had about 70% of the 150 Genoa unfurled. Got pretty good speed...7.5 mph on my GPS (compared to only 3-4 mph two weeks ago in lighter winds). Got some pretty decent heel today as well. First time I have really encountered heeling like this...never got much heel in my sailing lessons. But when it looked squirrely I just eased out the mainsheet and it leveled out some.

Whenever the heel got a few degrees though the boat would definitlely show its weather helm and my helmsmen (Daughter 13 and Dad) would be fighting to keep us on heading.

But overall, a very good second day of sailing in my new Mac. Looking forward to the third time out tomorrow (same weather forecast).

Thanks,
Jim

I'm guessing that the NAS base you refer to is in Jacksonville FL, not the airbase in Jacksonville NC?

Ray

I always try to spray silicone lube on the bunks or use soap as mentioned. The boat always winches up very easily and I avoid the famous (or infamous) "Mac Bump." My trailer has kind of a wimpy winch that I actually had to reinforce when it bent after winching hard on the boat a few times. Lubing the bunks saves a lot of wear on the winch. I've heard concerns about the boat sliding around with the reduced friction on the bunks but I've never noticed a problem.

BB

Third attempt at trailering the boat today. Powered on the trailer gently and with a small engine surge had the boat against the front roller. Dad winched it in as tight as he could...

But as we pulled it up the ramp it slid back about 6 inches...

But did the Mac Bump at 10 mph this time and it slid back forward to within 1/2 inch (made an interesting squeak as it slide on the bumpers). Winched in the slack and was able to get it the last 1/2 inch as well.

Third time is the charm.

Jim

This opinion may raise some new debate C130, but here it is ....

I don't bother to "winch it in" that last half-inch. I figure that's just bending the winch post and applying unnecessary strain on the boweye. Better, methinks, to let the winch tension relax (just ever-so-slightly) once the boat is resting on the trailer bunks.
YMMV.

It sounds like you got it right.

Now the next question. Do you strap the boat down

When I first got my M I would just winch it on the trailer, and then quite blissfully go on my way. When I once went on this board and innocently made mention of it, I was (and I am thankful to them) made aware of the error of my ways.

So, if you don't strap the boat down, you should do so. If you do strap the boat down, in the words of Rosana Rosanadana, "Never mind."


Ray

Been lots of discussion in the past re strapping it down. Opinions differ (widely) as to whether you need to, what's legal/illegal and in what jurisdictions, and how to accomplish it if you want to.

As for me, I strap it down across the cockpit from trailer-frame to trailer-frame with as wide a strap as I can find. Oh, and putting a 1/2 twist in the strap on each run (3 total) will prevent it from flapping/vibrating at speed.