OK – so the time has come! I HAVE TO GET a new trailer, mine is getting to the point where it is no longer safe to use, and my wife has agreed to let me buy one, so I want to do it before she changes her mind! I know there have been posts about this subject before, but now I have to do something about it.... The problem is that there does not seem to be a direct replacement for the 26S factory trailer, so I guess I have to find a compromise. So what do I look for? Does it have to have the “V” bunks or can I get one with the front to back bunks? I have heard comments about the hull of the 26S being strengthened where it rests on the bunks – is this right? What experiences have other owners had? And what solutions you come up with? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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RichardL
If it will be helpful, I have a drawing of the dimensions of the 26C trailer. I would post it here, but it's in Bitmap format and I'm too stupid and/or lazy to figure out how to convert it to JPEG. I can send it to you though...if it will help.
If it will be helpful, I have a drawing of the dimensions of the 26C trailer. I would post it here, but it's in Bitmap format and I'm too stupid and/or lazy to figure out how to convert it to JPEG. I can send it to you though...if it will help.
I might need a new trailer too!
Under my 26S, that I just got last Friday, there is a questionable trailer. So I made some calls to trailer builders/repair shops. One place, even though they sell new trailers suggested that they refurbish and improve the one I have. They remove rust, prime and paint. They can add brakes, and in general they might be able to make it much better, with regard to better guide on bunks, some rollers, a better bow stop, etc. For much less than the cost of a new trailer. So that's what I'm going to do. I'll let them make suggestions, get the bottom line cost. Then if it seems worth it I'll proceed with that. But if it gets too expensive I may opt for a new trailer. See if you can find a similar shop, that can build the trailer for you. They can basically make it with all the important MacGregor supports in the same spots, but then go beyond that to make it better.
Under my 26S, that I just got last Friday, there is a questionable trailer. So I made some calls to trailer builders/repair shops. One place, even though they sell new trailers suggested that they refurbish and improve the one I have. They remove rust, prime and paint. They can add brakes, and in general they might be able to make it much better, with regard to better guide on bunks, some rollers, a better bow stop, etc. For much less than the cost of a new trailer. So that's what I'm going to do. I'll let them make suggestions, get the bottom line cost. Then if it seems worth it I'll proceed with that. But if it gets too expensive I may opt for a new trailer. See if you can find a similar shop, that can build the trailer for you. They can basically make it with all the important MacGregor supports in the same spots, but then go beyond that to make it better.
Interesting...
I might need a new trailer too! Under my 26S, that I just got last Friday, there is a questionable trailer. So I made some calls to trailer builders/repair shops. One place, even though they sell new trailers suggested that they refurbish and improve the one I have. They remove rust, prime and paint. They can add brakes, and in general they might be able to make it much better, with regard to better guide on bunks, some rollers, a better bow stop, etc. For much less than the cost of a new trailer. So that's what I'm going to do. I'll let them make suggestions, get the bottom line cost. Then if it seems worth it I'll proceed with that. But if it gets too expensive I may opt for a new trailer. See if you can find a similar shop, that can build the trailer for you. They can basically make it with all the important MacGregor supports in the same spots, but then go beyond that to make it better. Okay, I'm an *******, but get the point!
I might need a new trailer too! Under my 26S, that I just got last Friday, there is a questionable trailer. So I made some calls to trailer builders/repair shops. One place, even though they sell new trailers suggested that they refurbish and improve the one I have. They remove rust, prime and paint. They can add brakes, and in general they might be able to make it much better, with regard to better guide on bunks, some rollers, a better bow stop, etc. For much less than the cost of a new trailer. So that's what I'm going to do. I'll let them make suggestions, get the bottom line cost. Then if it seems worth it I'll proceed with that. But if it gets too expensive I may opt for a new trailer. See if you can find a similar shop, that can build the trailer for you. They can basically make it with all the important MacGregor supports in the same spots, but then go beyond that to make it better. Okay, I'm an *******, but get the point!
I hope you know...
...I'm just kidding. I have to find something to pick on and since I don't know anything about sailing I pick on paragraphs. The rest of you guys talk about stuff that is relevant...and I learn alot from that. Thanks.
...I'm just kidding. I have to find something to pick on and since I don't know anything about sailing I pick on paragraphs. The rest of you guys talk about stuff that is relevant...and I learn alot from that. Thanks.
No problem Dave!
I've been participating in this forum only for a week or so. Already I can tell you are a knowledgeable guy, with respect to MAC's, and sailing in general. I look forward to many more back and forth correspondence. I have much to learn. And I'll do the best I can with my punctuation...
I've been participating in this forum only for a week or so. Already I can tell you are a knowledgeable guy, with respect to MAC's, and sailing in general. I look forward to many more back and forth correspondence. I have much to learn. And I'll do the best I can with my punctuation...
Doug...
my punctuation sucks...I;ll be the first to acknowledge that. I just find that as I get older reading stuff gets harder...you know, some of the stuff that gets posted has to be copied and pasted into a Word program, so I can paragraph it so I can read it...is that lame or what? The only reason I go to those lengths to be able to read that crap is because I'm interested. I love to send my crap and I love the responses..but I have standards.
my punctuation sucks...I;ll be the first to acknowledge that. I just find that as I get older reading stuff gets harder...you know, some of the stuff that gets posted has to be copied and pasted into a Word program, so I can paragraph it so I can read it...is that lame or what? The only reason I go to those lengths to be able to read that crap is because I'm interested. I love to send my crap and I love the responses..but I have standards.
Can we get back to my question please?
Seven replies, I thought GREAT! Then I see that only two are on the subject of my question and the others are about grammar! While I also get frustrated with loooonnnnnggggg paragraphs, it is the content that I am interested in. My situation is getting serious, because I have to trailer every time I go out, and no trailer - no sailing!!! So please, if anyone else has any suggestions (about replacement trailers), I would like to have them and don't worry about your grammar or spelling. BTW Dave M26D - is your email address still the same as last year? If so, I will email you and perhaps you can send me the info you have.
Seven replies, I thought GREAT! Then I see that only two are on the subject of my question and the others are about grammar! While I also get frustrated with loooonnnnnggggg paragraphs, it is the content that I am interested in. My situation is getting serious, because I have to trailer every time I go out, and no trailer - no sailing!!! So please, if anyone else has any suggestions (about replacement trailers), I would like to have them and don't worry about your grammar or spelling. BTW Dave M26D - is your email address still the same as last year? If so, I will email you and perhaps you can send me the info you have.
trailer
See what it would cost to have a welder make you a new trailer like your old one. A friend of mine did this and it saved him about a 1k.
See what it would cost to have a welder make you a new trailer like your old one. A friend of mine did this and it saved him about a 1k.
Sandblast and galvanize
Not to belabor the point, but sandblasting is the only reliable way to get old rust and paint off, and at that point, galvanizing is only slightly more expensive than painting. I have a welding shop and have built or supervised the building of hundreds of trailers over the years. Galvanizing is just the only way to insure long life for a boat trailer. My cost for galvanizing is between $35 to $40 per hundred lbs. So a 1000lb trailer costs @ $400 to galv. NOTE: This is not what I charge, there is prep and getting the trailer to and from the galvanizer, etc. When building from new, I only sandblast the welds to insure all flux is removed. The pickling process used by the Galvanizer will remove all mill scale, therefore the prep for Galv is actually less than for painting. Unless it is an appearance thing, I can not see why anyone would paint. BTW, painting without sandblasting will insure a short life for the paint also. I'm close to Houston and I have several large galvanizing plants to chose from but I always use Southwest Galvanizing mainly because they know me and give me "shop" rate. If you have an air compressor of 6.5 CFM or better, buy the $100 sandblaster from harbor Freight...throw the supplied nozzle away and buy a real screw on type with a 1/8" dia hole(about $35 from a sandblaster equipment supplier), a pallet of #4 sand, (6/8 bags may be enough depending on how rusty it is) a reasonable respirator and go to work. Or come to my shop and I'll build you a new trailer to suit your boat. Just kidding about coming to my shop...I'm retired and only weld for myself and only that when I have no other choice. Quinton
Not to belabor the point, but sandblasting is the only reliable way to get old rust and paint off, and at that point, galvanizing is only slightly more expensive than painting. I have a welding shop and have built or supervised the building of hundreds of trailers over the years. Galvanizing is just the only way to insure long life for a boat trailer. My cost for galvanizing is between $35 to $40 per hundred lbs. So a 1000lb trailer costs @ $400 to galv. NOTE: This is not what I charge, there is prep and getting the trailer to and from the galvanizer, etc. When building from new, I only sandblast the welds to insure all flux is removed. The pickling process used by the Galvanizer will remove all mill scale, therefore the prep for Galv is actually less than for painting. Unless it is an appearance thing, I can not see why anyone would paint. BTW, painting without sandblasting will insure a short life for the paint also. I'm close to Houston and I have several large galvanizing plants to chose from but I always use Southwest Galvanizing mainly because they know me and give me "shop" rate. If you have an air compressor of 6.5 CFM or better, buy the $100 sandblaster from harbor Freight...throw the supplied nozzle away and buy a real screw on type with a 1/8" dia hole(about $35 from a sandblaster equipment supplier), a pallet of #4 sand, (6/8 bags may be enough depending on how rusty it is) a reasonable respirator and go to work. Or come to my shop and I'll build you a new trailer to suit your boat. Just kidding about coming to my shop...I'm retired and only weld for myself and only that when I have no other choice.
QuintonWhat makes it unsafe
So what exactly is wrong with your trailer, why isn't it safe? Suffering from rust? It's a pretty easy design, I'd think you could find someone to build/rebuild it pretty reasonably. I've made major mods to my trailer, but the jury is still out on towing (haven't done it yet). But the mast raising I added to it works like a dream.
So what exactly is wrong with your trailer, why isn't it safe? Suffering from rust? It's a pretty easy design, I'd think you could find someone to build/rebuild it pretty reasonably. I've made major mods to my trailer, but the jury is still out on towing (haven't done it yet). But the mast raising I added to it works like a dream.
I guess it will have to be a repair job
OK - so I have found a trailer manufacturer in Florida that customises one of their standard models to fit the 26S, but they tell me it would be well over $2K!! So I have decided to try and repair my old one. The problems are mainly caused by rust, where the springs hangers have rusted out, the guides have rusted off, and the mud guards are rusted through. Unfortunately everything will have to be cut off! The other problems are that the axle is bent, and the tongue is twisted. Unfortunately, with the Mac trailer, everything is welded on and not bolted as with most modern trailers. If they were bolted on, at least I would be able to cut off the bolts if I could not undo them. Anyway, I am goin to see if I can cut off the tongue, the spring hangers, the mudguards, and the broken guide bases. I will then get probably see if I can get it galvanized and then rebuild it with bolt-on parts. Of course, by the time I am finished, I will probably be getting close to the price of a new one!!
OK - so I have found a trailer manufacturer in Florida that customises one of their standard models to fit the 26S, but they tell me it would be well over $2K!! So I have decided to try and repair my old one. The problems are mainly caused by rust, where the springs hangers have rusted out, the guides have rusted off, and the mud guards are rusted through. Unfortunately everything will have to be cut off! The other problems are that the axle is bent, and the tongue is twisted. Unfortunately, with the Mac trailer, everything is welded on and not bolted as with most modern trailers. If they were bolted on, at least I would be able to cut off the bolts if I could not undo them. Anyway, I am goin to see if I can cut off the tongue, the spring hangers, the mudguards, and the broken guide bases. I will then get probably see if I can get it galvanized and then rebuild it with bolt-on parts. Of course, by the time I am finished, I will probably be getting close to the price of a new one!!
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