Towing the 240 is ok. It is on the wider side but you get used to it. Keep the left wheel close to the centre line and the right wheel won’t go off into the shoulder or hit the curb.
We decided to load the vessel and not step the mast right away. Sunday morning at the boat launch, we wanted to get it in and get a parking spot. Success but I held the ramp up with our engine not starting. We pulled the 240 out of everyone’s way on the other side. I was actually able to reach the engine better, first pull and we were on our way.
The cockpit is huge. Lots of room compared to the C&C 27 we race on. My only complaint, we have no cushions and the floor is too high. Change is needed here. Test one, dropping the centre board. I was so hoping it would go down and stop before the double fisherman knot hit the pulley, it did. It lowered fine and the knot has at least 3 inches of clearance. Awesome! Test two, open the water ballast valve. This one was intriguing lol. I stayed below with it, looking around. Searching for water in all areas. You can sure feel the wind coming out as the water enters. I could start to see the water and tried waiting until I could touch it with my finger. It never came high enough. I closed the valve installed the plug, success. Stepping the mast on the water was accomplished well because of the lifting system, boy it works slick. I will not however do that again. I was unable to safely adjust/tighten the shrouds. I settled for, that will be good for today. We shifted our attention to the cabin. I went under the cockpit, it’s tight. I checked the bilge pump area and other access panels. We were completely dry. No water entered the vessel. The V berth didn’t look large enough for Michelle and I to sleep on. Sleeping arrangements was a concern for me as Michelle already said the Mac25 wins in that department. WRONG, we were both pleasantly surprised. We both fit with room to spare on the V berth. Next test, lunch time. The table included is solid and large. We were very pleased sitting down at the table eating. Lots of room, great view out of the windows too. I quickly checked the water ballast. The water did not come any higher, all was still good. The table mounts outside on the cockpit too; we never did try that. This entire time the temperature was in the mid 90’s and we had no wind. It was hot. The easy access to the water, incredible. Michelle’s favourite. Larger waves and rougher water, we felt quite secure. The Mac25 did well too with the heavier keel but we really did feel more stable. I could see some wind coming. We decided to hoist the main. With all of the fun we had I never realized how far down the lake we floated. I decided to start the engine and power gibe back. Lol. I would say we never really did get to sail her but we sure had a great time. A few times I powered back feeling more wind but .5 knot was the best we could get. We had great timing as we approached the dock, we were first on a double ramp setup. We docked it like we have been boating for years lol, felt great. I got the trailer under her and pulled out, and back in, then out and back in etc. etc. I could not get her to sit on the trailer properly. Finally I was ok with it. I started to pull further and I could feel the trailer tire drop. My truck wheels starting spinning. Hmm I thought. I put it in 4 wheel drive and out we came. I pulled over once I was a bit clear of the ramp. I commented to Michelle on how that was a different experience. It was at that point I said water ballast, I never considered it the entire time. I jumped in and opened the plug, Michelle walked away, she was embarrassed with the amount of water. It was all heading back the lake though
We unstepped the mast, (so nice to do) packed everything up, did a walk around and Michelle says, UHOH. Turns out a bit too much force was applied pulling and obviously a weak weld let go. The shackle broke off the left side of the trailer and the axle moved back 3 inches jamming the left tire against the fender. We hugged and laughed, what a bad ending to a great day lol. Michelle made it home way before me thanks to her sister rescuing her. I did make it home eventually with the boat and trailer. I now have a quick weld to do lol.
Question, I have no doubt both the condition of the ramp and the added weight of the water filled vessel contributed to this. What could I have done different?
We decided to load the vessel and not step the mast right away. Sunday morning at the boat launch, we wanted to get it in and get a parking spot. Success but I held the ramp up with our engine not starting. We pulled the 240 out of everyone’s way on the other side. I was actually able to reach the engine better, first pull and we were on our way.
The cockpit is huge. Lots of room compared to the C&C 27 we race on. My only complaint, we have no cushions and the floor is too high. Change is needed here. Test one, dropping the centre board. I was so hoping it would go down and stop before the double fisherman knot hit the pulley, it did. It lowered fine and the knot has at least 3 inches of clearance. Awesome! Test two, open the water ballast valve. This one was intriguing lol. I stayed below with it, looking around. Searching for water in all areas. You can sure feel the wind coming out as the water enters. I could start to see the water and tried waiting until I could touch it with my finger. It never came high enough. I closed the valve installed the plug, success. Stepping the mast on the water was accomplished well because of the lifting system, boy it works slick. I will not however do that again. I was unable to safely adjust/tighten the shrouds. I settled for, that will be good for today. We shifted our attention to the cabin. I went under the cockpit, it’s tight. I checked the bilge pump area and other access panels. We were completely dry. No water entered the vessel. The V berth didn’t look large enough for Michelle and I to sleep on. Sleeping arrangements was a concern for me as Michelle already said the Mac25 wins in that department. WRONG, we were both pleasantly surprised. We both fit with room to spare on the V berth. Next test, lunch time. The table included is solid and large. We were very pleased sitting down at the table eating. Lots of room, great view out of the windows too. I quickly checked the water ballast. The water did not come any higher, all was still good. The table mounts outside on the cockpit too; we never did try that. This entire time the temperature was in the mid 90’s and we had no wind. It was hot. The easy access to the water, incredible. Michelle’s favourite. Larger waves and rougher water, we felt quite secure. The Mac25 did well too with the heavier keel but we really did feel more stable. I could see some wind coming. We decided to hoist the main. With all of the fun we had I never realized how far down the lake we floated. I decided to start the engine and power gibe back. Lol. I would say we never really did get to sail her but we sure had a great time. A few times I powered back feeling more wind but .5 knot was the best we could get. We had great timing as we approached the dock, we were first on a double ramp setup. We docked it like we have been boating for years lol, felt great. I got the trailer under her and pulled out, and back in, then out and back in etc. etc. I could not get her to sit on the trailer properly. Finally I was ok with it. I started to pull further and I could feel the trailer tire drop. My truck wheels starting spinning. Hmm I thought. I put it in 4 wheel drive and out we came. I pulled over once I was a bit clear of the ramp. I commented to Michelle on how that was a different experience. It was at that point I said water ballast, I never considered it the entire time. I jumped in and opened the plug, Michelle walked away, she was embarrassed with the amount of water. It was all heading back the lake though
We unstepped the mast, (so nice to do) packed everything up, did a walk around and Michelle says, UHOH. Turns out a bit too much force was applied pulling and obviously a weak weld let go. The shackle broke off the left side of the trailer and the axle moved back 3 inches jamming the left tire against the fender. We hugged and laughed, what a bad ending to a great day lol. Michelle made it home way before me thanks to her sister rescuing her. I did make it home eventually with the boat and trailer. I now have a quick weld to do lol.
Question, I have no doubt both the condition of the ramp and the added weight of the water filled vessel contributed to this. What could I have done different?
