launching

[Herndon]

I will be launching My 96 26x saturday am for the first time. I have been cleaning and polishing since I towed it home last Sunday. I have fallen asleep each night re-reading the manuals in preparation.The only question I do not have an answer for is...How far should I back my vehicle into the water. 2003 Chev 1/2 ton shrt bed. I know i will find out in the morning but since the internet is such magical place I thought I would ask it.Tanks are filled,new battery is charging, boat is hitched to truck. Only 10 hours until I find out if my imagination has gotten the best of me.Rob H.

 

[Just Between Friends]

Your vehicle doesn't belong in the water

Congrats!! I remember the feeling the night before our big launch - couldn't sleep! Once you're completely rigged and ready for the water just loosen your bow strap/line at your winch - only a few inches. Back your boat into the water only until you notice the rear of the boat beginning to float free. Stop (be sure to set the parking brake in the excitement!), and give her a small push off the trailer. Keeping your valves closed until off the trailer will allow the boat to float off the trailer a little earlier.

 

[D. Crockett]

Waxing the bottom

Being also a brand new MacGregor26 owner, I waxed the boat, including the bottom with a teflon wax. Upon my next launching, I found the boat sliding off the trailer as I tried to loosen the winch bow hook. Cleating a line to the trailer let me hold the boat in position until I got the trailer in deep enough to launch her. Just beware of a slick bottom's eagerness to launch before you get the trailer in deep enough to avoid bottom damage.Good luck and happy sailing. Regards, D.

 

[Oscar]

Waxed Bottom

What kind of wax did you use? Where did you obtain it? I always wax the bottom of my 26X,as it sits on the trailer when not in use.

 

[Steve Cameron]

Until Trailer Fenders Submerged

Herndon, normally you will back your trailer into the water until the trailer fenders are submerged. At this point you have enough of the boat into the water to float it. This also where your rear wheels are not in the water. You should be able to step onto your bumper or the trailer tongue and then to the trailer ladder (to unhook your winch) without getting your feet wet.Just reverse this when retrieving your boat.

 

[Scott]

We just back it in until the back end just begins to float then my 11 year old pulls it back off the trailer and keeps it from hitting the dock while I park the trailer. Shes been helping me launch and recover for 3 years now without a scratch. Our slip neighbors at the marina are envious of the ease wth which we launch and land. He said it is an afternoon of work to assure his boat is bunked right on the trailor, an hour to an hour and a half just to get it up the boat ramp. If we dont drop the mast we can do it in about 5 minutes. Launching takes about the same amount of time.