MacGregorSailors.com

I'm about to go retrieve a new to us 2012 26M with 60hp Honda. It's currently at a marina in the water. I am having the trailer serviced proactively prior to my arrival so that I have low odds of failure on the way home.

My question is does anyone have any tips on properly prepping the M for transport beyond what the downloadable instruction manual recommends? This is my first time and I have studied the manual well, but It seems a touch vague. I just want to make sure that I do it right.

Should I bring zip ties for the standing rigging? do I need a brace between the engine and trailer? what about those swept back spreaders, do you slip them under the lifelines? You get the idea.

Any tips, especially with pics would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much,
Mike

Best tip is TAKE TIME!!!

Take care that the spreaders do not sit on the lifelines otherwise the spreaders will get bent!

Here is what I responded to in your "X or M" posting.

" mjgill1 wrote:
Thanks for all the help!
Found and am buying a 2012 M with a 60hp honda.. Got it for a great price and am heading out to get it soon.

The whole family is really excited.



Now all you need to do is press the "user control panel" on this site, then press “profile”, and fill in the blank spaces. One of us may be close by for some assistance in the future, or the other way around "

Seriously, go to the user control panel, then go to profile, when your info is there for everyone to see, there may be someone close by who can help. If the marina is nowhere near where you live, include that in your "prepping the M" posts. Someone may be near there.

The spreaders are going to be a pain. After years of fighting to manipulate them under the life lines, I now just remove them from where they attach to the mast. Much easier

Zip ties are a wonderful invention. Use them everywhere you want a lose line/wire not dangling. Black ties are long enough for attaching lines the lifelines. White ones are significantly longer and thicker. They are good for large things which need to be secured.

Make certain your trailer chains are crossed.

Be certain to double check that your break lights, turn signals, emergency flashers all operate before you place your tow vehicle in gear.

300 Lbs tongue weight.

Rudders are bolted so they can not fall down while towed. Also remember to remove those bolts before launching I have forgotten that a couple of times


I'm sure others will post more.

Remember To Fill Out Your Profile

Ray

NiceAft wrote:Here is what I responded to in your "X or M" posting.

" mjgill1 wrote:
Thanks for all the help!
Found and am buying a 2012 M with a 60hp honda.. Got it for a great price and am heading out to get it soon.

The whole family is really excited.



Now all you need to do is press the "user control panel" on this site, then press “profile”, and fill in the blank spaces. One of us may be close by for some assistance in the future, or the other way around "

Seriously, go to the user control panel, then go to profile, when your info is there for everyone to see, there may be someone close by who can help. If the marina is nowhere near where you live, include that in your "prepping the M" posts. Someone may be near there.

The spreaders are going to be a pain. After years of fighting to manipulate them under the life lines, I now just remove them from where they attach to the mast. Much easier

Zip ties are a wonderful invention. Use them everywhere you want a lose line/wire not dangling. Black ties are long enough for attaching lines the lifelines. White ones are significantly longer and thicker. They are good for large things which need to be secured.

Make certain your trailer chains are crossed.

Be certain to double check that your break lights, turn signals, emergency flashers all operate before you place your tow vehicle in gear.

300 Lbs tongue weight.

Rudders are bolted so they can not fall down while towed. Also remember to remove those bolts before launching I have forgotten that a couple of times


I'm sure others will post more.

Remember To Fill Out Your Profile

Ray

Ha! I did the profile before you responded to this post!

I have to go to NJ to get the boat. Just a hop skip and a jump....or not.

Where in N.J.

Ray

Hewitt. South Shore Marina

In addition to the excellent advice you've gotten already, I'd add these.

I put a dock line around a stern cleat, around the mast a couple of times, then to the other cleat, with some preload. But my mast is on a different type of support from the arch I think yours has. I also use a mid mast support that sits on the tabernacle to take the bounce out. Another dock line does around the rudders as a backup. It would be pretty bad for one to fall and drag.

I don't brace the OB. I just put it all the way up and flip the lock, but I don't lower it onto the lock.

If traveling during the day, most states require a flag on the end of the mast if it hangs past the trailer by more than 4'or 6 ft. At night a red light instead. I think that's in the manual. I use a whole second set of lights that stabs onto the OB leg, but that's not something you can do while picking up a boat.

Consider bringing a spare tire.

Strap over the stern to the trailer is state law in most places.

I use a pile of the little red ball bungies from Walmart to secure wire and line for transport. And bring a board or PVC pipe to support the furler as it hangs over the bow rail by quite a bit. I usually just disconnect the forestay and slide it back so it sits on the pulpit, then strap it with ball bungies.

Can't think of any more just now. Most of this stuff becomes routine after enough trials.

Mike,

This may be of help?

Ray

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/traileri ... ine_052016

Best to check all wheel nuts are tight and hubs are coolish to touch after towing for a while - nearly had a major catastrophe on weekend when loose nut(s) resulted in 4 of 5 studs shearing off. Managed to stop from freeway speed with the wheel just about to fall off. 4 hour wait before lowloader trip back to nearest town - Admiral seriously pi$$! Have fun guys

stuendan wrote:Best to check all wheel nuts are tight and hubs are coolish to touch after towing for a while - nearly had a major catastrophe on weekend when loose nut(s) resulted in 4 of 5 studs shearing off. Managed to stop from freeway speed with the wheel just about to fall off. 4 hour wait before lowloader trip back to nearest town - Admiral seriously pi$$! Have fun guys

Not just tight, but in the propper position.

Lug nuts have a side which is flat, and a side which Is rounded. Extremely important The rounded side MUST be seated into the rim, NOT the flat side of the lug nut. If not seated correctly, those nuts can loosen, the wheel can come off the axle.

This info is not important for most on this site, but this Mac is not new. You do not know if there has been a recent tire change. It is extremely important that you pay attention to this. You have a long tow home, keep it safe.

Ray

The Boat US check list is spot on. Check the brake fluid reservoir, top off if needed. check the brake actuator by unplugging the trailer electrical from the tow beast then attempt to back up. The hitch should compress and lock the brakes so you cannot backup. Reconnect the trailer electrical to your vehicle, then back up again. You should be able to back up with no resistance which means the solenoid by pass is working.

Air up the tires to maximum recommended mfg pressure. If the tires are OEM you may want to replace with GoodYear, Michelin trailer spec tires. Seem like members have had good results with both brands.

May as well close this one down. I made it home. 1000 miles. I had the marina take the trailer for a check up and $460.00 later, it's like brand new. Sadly the guy didn't fill the tires though and I drove a bit wondering to myself why it trailed like crap. I should have checked them before I left, I know, but for that kind of money you would think. Anyway, no harm no foul, thank God.
She's sitting in my driveway and will be gone through completely before putting her on the water. It's amazing how much fiberglass dust and crap sifted out during the trip. I had to strip the interior and will have to put on a suit/respirator and vacuum it.

Thanks for all the advice,
Mike

It's not done yet Mike.

Photos

Ray

All great advice from all Posters..... I can only add that while Your spreaders are off.... go to Lowes/ Home depot and get a couple of wooden dowels that will fit snug....or be beaten into them . It adds a lot of strength....... but I 'll be darned if I can remember what size they are..... I know some of the smarter than Me Folks will . Congrats on Your M. Ron Dauntless.

I want to travel with out the spreaders so I got these wing nuts. Anybody do this?