Finally got inside today...
- Thread starter Tom Hoffman
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- Dec 25, 2009
- 269
SailingDog, I see what you mean. When I look at my cockpit, it could definitely do with being raised several inches. I don't know how many gallons mine holds, but I am sure it is a lot. I will have to measure the cockpit volume and get the cubic feet.
Thanks for pointing that short coming out. I would have never noticed. Being a newbie to sailing.
Tom...
Thanks for pointing that short coming out. I would have never noticed. Being a newbie to sailing.
Tom...
The brakes are a surge hydraulic and the trailer slides forward at the coupler and a master cylinder is then activated whenever the trailer pushes on the tow vehicle since the tow vehicle is slowing down faster than the trailer when the brakes are applied. Go look at the tongue on a U-haul trailer. There is an electric solenoid in the brake line on the trailer that is activated when your backup lights go on. That lets you backup with the trailer keeping the brakes off. Backing down a ramp they wouldn't apply and usually they won't apply on a hard flat surface backing up either. At least they won't apply enough to be a problem. Without the electric solenoid the coupler mechanism has to be pinned to back up under some conditions.
Usually, and what I'm doing right now, is to use a disc brake in a boat trailer situation. The surge disc brakes will take a dunking in water a lot better than electric drums. The drums just have too many small parts in them that are going to rust up and possibly freeze up over time. That is not to say there is no maintenance with a surge brake system, but not as much.
I bought a tie-down kit.....
http://www.tiedown.com/aventedkit.html
form these people.....
http://www.blackbearsportinggoods.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ELLTIED82101&CartID=1
.... but watch their prices as they move all over the place. A couple weeks ago they were $420+, then when I went to order they were $370, then I looked a couple days ago and they were $407 and today are $442. I don't know what they are doing, but they were the cheapest I found when I bought. Call them up as say a friend got the kit for under $400 and would they match that price. I got them quick and we live in the middle of no-where.
Usually any trailer that is setup for drum brakes will convert easily to the surge disc brakes. You just need the brake mounting pad on the axle. If you don't have one they can be welded on.
c ya,
Sum
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If you sail in the ocean where there are storms with big waves.... well, it's a good feature to have should you get pooped. However, I notice you sail on a lake.... so a bridge deck would be a pretty low priority for a trailer sailer. More better to enlarge the existing cockpit drains, or add another.
Lakes can actually be worse, since the wave height is related to the water depth...and wide shallow areas of some inland lakes and places like Pamlico and Albermarle sound can generate really nasty, high, short period chop that will dump a lot of water into the cockpit. Drains only help so much...
I've never seen the chop on Lake Pepin get above 2'. I've been out in the worst weather our area has. No boat has ever pooped on this lake.
Rain in the summer downpours are a bigger threat to the cockpit. The drain must keep up or the accumulation will flow over the bridge deck.
Rain in the summer downpours are a bigger threat to the cockpit. The drain must keep up or the accumulation will flow over the bridge deck.
Tom,
Presently, electic brakes don't fair well underwater. I've heard some murmurings about the companies work in that area but not sure what's happened.
Hydraulic "surge" brakes are actuated when you put on your vehicle brakes because the weight of the boat shifts forward in the coupler and pushes on a cylinder. It isn't actaully hooked to the vehicle braking system. I bought the whole kit, coupler, hoses, wheels, rotors pad . . . the works for $351 shipped. It took an afternoon to install.
Don
Presently, electic brakes don't fair well underwater. I've heard some murmurings about the companies work in that area but not sure what's happened.
Hydraulic "surge" brakes are actuated when you put on your vehicle brakes because the weight of the boat shifts forward in the coupler and pushes on a cylinder. It isn't actaully hooked to the vehicle braking system. I bought the whole kit, coupler, hoses, wheels, rotors pad . . . the works for $351 shipped. It took an afternoon to install.
Don
- Dec 25, 2009
- 269
Don, It turns out that I have that kind of brakes on the trailer already. They don't work as there is a broken line in the system. Once we have the line fixed and the system checked out. Then we can replace any frozen or damaged parts, likely as not it shouldn't be too much. Last time the trailer was used was in 1987.
Once the snow and ice is gone here and the ground hardens up, we will put her in my friends shop and get her off the trailer and get too work on the trailer and the boat.
Thanks again.
Tom...
Once the snow and ice is gone here and the ground hardens up, we will put her in my friends shop and get her off the trailer and get too work on the trailer and the boat.
Thanks again.
Tom...
Surge brakes
Tom,
When I got my boat home, I found that the brakes weren't working also. I put one side of the trailer (with the boat on it) on stands and worked on one side at a time. All it really needed was to have the system flushed out with fresh brake fluid a few times. Yes, I wasted fluid but the cost was minimal. I kept filling the master cylinder and cycling it till it came out clean. I even used a toothbrush to clean out the gunk. After adjusting the brakes shoes outward, the system works fine and no parts needed replacing. I would however replace all the bearing, they're cheap.
Tom,
When I got my boat home, I found that the brakes weren't working also. I put one side of the trailer (with the boat on it) on stands and worked on one side at a time. All it really needed was to have the system flushed out with fresh brake fluid a few times. Yes, I wasted fluid but the cost was minimal. I kept filling the master cylinder and cycling it till it came out clean. I even used a toothbrush to clean out the gunk. After adjusting the brakes shoes outward, the system works fine and no parts needed replacing. I would however replace all the bearing, they're cheap.
- Dec 25, 2009
- 269
Hi John, Yes, I was thinking about the bearings, they probably aren't bad, this boat has not been moved for a long time. Probably has less than 5000 miles on the bearings. But yes, you are right, why bother to take the wheels off and re pack the old, when new are cheap and can be put in as easily as re installing the old. I am sure that is the way we will go.
I am going to get the boat off to repair some gouges in the keel fiberglass and while off paint the bottom to. The while the boat is off, will re paint the trailer install new trailer lights and go through the brakes and bearings. Change out the wood of the bunks too, as that is at least 23 years old. New wood, new carpet on the bunks and new keel rollers too. Should make life more fun.
Regards,
Tom...
I am going to get the boat off to repair some gouges in the keel fiberglass and while off paint the bottom to. The while the boat is off, will re paint the trailer install new trailer lights and go through the brakes and bearings. Change out the wood of the bunks too, as that is at least 23 years old. New wood, new carpet on the bunks and new keel rollers too. Should make life more fun.
Regards,
Tom...
Bearings
Tom,
My trailer probably had about 2 miles put on it after it was delivered to Wisconsin. Although I checked them before bringing it home, I think I actually overheated the bearings on the way home. If I were to replace the lights, I'd spend the extra money and put in LED's, they'll last forever. If you're replacing the bunks, add these pieces to the bottom to guide the keel on, they really help.
John
Tom,
My trailer probably had about 2 miles put on it after it was delivered to Wisconsin. Although I checked them before bringing it home, I think I actually overheated the bearings on the way home. If I were to replace the lights, I'd spend the extra money and put in LED's, they'll last forever. If you're replacing the bunks, add these pieces to the bottom to guide the keel on, they really help.
John
Attachments
- Dec 25, 2009
- 269
John, I believe my trailer already has those on it. This is not too good a picture, but it shows something similar.
I plan on replacing them as well.
Tom...
I plan on replacing them as well.
Tom...
Tom, I don't recal ever seeing an American 26 before you posted pictures of yours. I saw this one posted on CraigsList here in San Diego, and recognized what it is after admiring yours. This one looks like it might need a lot of work, and no trailer or motor. I noticed the pictures are from 2006, I wonder if it's been just sitting in the water all that time.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/boa/1638534430.html
By the way, have you seen this site?
http://members.cox.net/sholley1/
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/boa/1638534430.html
By the way, have you seen this site?
http://members.cox.net/sholley1/
Last edited:
- Dec 25, 2009
- 269
Doug,
Looks exactly like mine. Price seems right too. That would be a great deal if the slip could be had reasonably. I paid $1500 and figured I got a good price. I just bought a set of sails from a guy who had sold his boat some time back and for some reason kept the sails. Main, Jib, and Genoa for $300. I got a Honda 10 Hp for $300 also, not it will take approximately $500 more to get the trailer ready for the road and a small bit of maintenance on the boat, clean up, new batteries, repair wiring, some of the rigging etc and we should be able to go sailing by the first of June.
Are you going to buy that boat? If I was there, I sure would. A little maintenance, clean up, pull the boat paint the bottom, polish her up, I would surely think you could quadrouple your money. I started looking for boats last fall. They were really cheap everywhere. Starting into this spring, the asking prices have jumped dramatically. Here I am sure it is the seasonal norm. There you guys can go out 24/7-365 barring weather.
A lady from out church has been thinking of going out to Coronodo and buying a boat like that to live aboard, she tells us that there are people who are doing it and it is still reasonable. I don't know it that is true or not. Here daughter and son in law live there and are working with the Phillipine community as missionaries.
About the site for the site: http://members.cox.net/sholley1/, yes I have seen it.
Here is what an American 26 looks like all shined up.
http://www.sailingtexas.com/samerican25a.html
http://www.sailingtexas.com/samerican26100.html
Both pretty nice looking boats.
Have a good morning.
Tom...
Looks exactly like mine. Price seems right too. That would be a great deal if the slip could be had reasonably. I paid $1500 and figured I got a good price. I just bought a set of sails from a guy who had sold his boat some time back and for some reason kept the sails. Main, Jib, and Genoa for $300. I got a Honda 10 Hp for $300 also, not it will take approximately $500 more to get the trailer ready for the road and a small bit of maintenance on the boat, clean up, new batteries, repair wiring, some of the rigging etc and we should be able to go sailing by the first of June.
Are you going to buy that boat? If I was there, I sure would. A little maintenance, clean up, pull the boat paint the bottom, polish her up, I would surely think you could quadrouple your money. I started looking for boats last fall. They were really cheap everywhere. Starting into this spring, the asking prices have jumped dramatically. Here I am sure it is the seasonal norm. There you guys can go out 24/7-365 barring weather.
A lady from out church has been thinking of going out to Coronodo and buying a boat like that to live aboard, she tells us that there are people who are doing it and it is still reasonable. I don't know it that is true or not. Here daughter and son in law live there and are working with the Phillipine community as missionaries.
About the site for the site: http://members.cox.net/sholley1/, yes I have seen it.
Here is what an American 26 looks like all shined up.
http://www.sailingtexas.com/samerican25a.html
http://www.sailingtexas.com/samerican26100.html
Both pretty nice looking boats.
Have a good morning.
Tom...
I lived on Coronado Island between 1976 and 1988. There used to be an anchorage just north of the bridge. One of the few on the west coast.
After I left the Navy I lost my privilege to rent a slip in the Naval Sailing Cub. I moved my boat to the anchorage while waiting for a slip to open up.
It might still be there. The locals considered it an eye sore because of all the neglected boats the lack of a fee attracted. There was always somebody trying to change the status of the area.
Update:
I just checked with Google Earth. Looks like there are formal moorings there now.
After I left the Navy I lost my privilege to rent a slip in the Naval Sailing Cub. I moved my boat to the anchorage while waiting for a slip to open up.
It might still be there. The locals considered it an eye sore because of all the neglected boats the lack of a fee attracted. There was always somebody trying to change the status of the area.
Update:
I just checked with Google Earth. Looks like there are formal moorings there now.
Tom, I thought that boat looked the same as yours! I'm not going to buy it, I just like looking. If it had a trailer I might think about it, but my wife surely wouldn't like the idea. Right now I have my hands full with my Mac26S.
Dave, some years ago they really clamped down on all the neglected boats in SD. People were living on them free, many were not functional, and many sank and became a hazard, and an expense to cleanup. It really was a problem out of control. There are a few areas you can still anchor free, but only up to 72 hours, which is fine for recreational purposes. All the other areas are moorings with monthly fees. Then there are guest slips available at most all the marinas.
Dave, some years ago they really clamped down on all the neglected boats in SD. People were living on them free, many were not functional, and many sank and became a hazard, and an expense to cleanup. It really was a problem out of control. There are a few areas you can still anchor free, but only up to 72 hours, which is fine for recreational purposes. All the other areas are moorings with monthly fees. Then there are guest slips available at most all the marinas.
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