Mac19

[Mac19sailor]

The bottoms of the rudders on my Mac19 scrape the launch ramp. This forces me to pin or unpin the rudder pivot bolts with the boat in the water in order to launch or retrieve the boat. Has anyone modified the trailer bunks to make them higher so that the rudders clear the launch ramp when launching or retrieving? Or is there a way to modify the rudders so that they go up and down using some sort of line/pulley rig from the transom?

[Deeseas]

I don't use pins to lock the rudders down. Try tightening the pivot bolts enough so you have to push the rudders down with your boat hook, the bolts should be tight enough that the rudders will not rise while sailing. Drill a hole in the rear edge of each rudder about 2-4 inches from the bottom, run a rope through each hole and up to the cockpit, this is for raising them before you pull the boat out. Check out https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mac ... lboatsinfo for pics.
Doug

[Mac19sailor]

Doug,
Thanks. Do you think the rudders will stay down while powering with a 9.9 Merc ProKicker at hull speed?

[ronacarme]

My 2001 26X has a factory line to hold down or pull and hold up each rudder. Line attaches mid height on rudder, hold-down end near front rudder edge, pull-down end near aft rudder edge. Mid-portion of line cleats on top of transom with rudder in held-down or held up position. Rudder pivot soose enuf for easy pivoting from full down to full up. Look next time you see an X. Suprised the 19 does not have something similar.
Have never pinned the rudders down for fear of hitting an obstruction and tearing up the pivot brackets or rudders.
Ron

[Ormonddude]

Listen to Ron on this use the kick free cleat we use on the 26's and problem is solved

[Erik Hardtle]

Hi,
I used to own the Mac19 for about 8 years... and I always launched with the rudders down... I had the factory trailer. Is your trailer not factory? You could probably just lift the back bunks up to get the clearance you need.

Try using plastic bolts (from lowes or home depot) for the break-away bolts on the rudders... the copper ones will chip away at the fiberglass.

I had a 40hp on it (2 stoke) and would power at full with the rudders down with no problem.

Erik

[Deeseas]

Mac19sailor
When I power I pull the rudders up and secure the ropes to the rear cleats and steer with the motor. I made a bracket to bolt on the front of my 40 hp Tohatsu and a tiller slides into it for steering. The 19 did not come with any factory lines for the rudders, all those improvements came later on the 26X.

Doug