I pulled my new 1981 Macgreggor 25 onto the trailer for the first time last weekend, and what a job. The problems were (1) with the exhaust of my Dodge Caravan under the water, the trailer was not far enough into the water (a town ramp) to nudge the boat onto the boards. I had to drag it the last ten feet or so, with a lot of effort. Maybe the ramp was not steep enough, leading to deep enough water ? Or is this a frequent problem ? (2) Recent mast step/unstep VCR tape makes it look easy. On my 1981 Mac25, the mast flops down onto the stern pulpit, bending the pop-top on the cabin, hanging over the stern. I have fabricated a mast crotch to mount on the stern, holding the mast high enough to prevent this, but wonder if there is a better way of stepping/un-stepping the mast ?
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Joe C.
A good place for help with your boat...
Would be www.trailorsailor.com There should be some people there that have experience with the same model boat. Mac owners are really big on do-it-yourself projects and better ways to rig things. I think the boat should launch on a pretty good ramp without drowning your car. Sometimes you just have to look around for the best ramp. Good luck, Joe C. in NC
Would be www.trailorsailor.com There should be some people there that have experience with the same model boat. Mac owners are really big on do-it-yourself projects and better ways to rig things. I think the boat should launch on a pretty good ramp without drowning your car. Sometimes you just have to look around for the best ramp. Good luck, Joe C. in NC
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James Pietraszwewski
ATtitude
Hi I cant help with the trailer problem. But on raising the mast, what you ned is attitude. Think of it as a small catameran and pick it up (it's lighter than what we think). Ok, a little help would be good. what we've done is to put a snatch block on the bow where the forward stay attaches then run a temporariy line extention to the free end of the jib halliard and then through the snatch block. This is then pulled on and controled by a second person on the ground as you raise the mast. PS i never saw the vidio.
Hi I cant help with the trailer problem. But on raising the mast, what you ned is attitude. Think of it as a small catameran and pick it up (it's lighter than what we think). Ok, a little help would be good. what we've done is to put a snatch block on the bow where the forward stay attaches then run a temporariy line extention to the free end of the jib halliard and then through the snatch block. This is then pulled on and controled by a second person on the ground as you raise the mast. PS i never saw the vidio.
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Carlos
Staying dry
The problem is that most town ramps are made for small fishing boats. A solution to keep your car dry is to make a 3 to 4 feet metal tube extension that will fit in your hitch receiver. But only use it to go up and down the ramp, never try to trailer the boat with it. Also be sure that it is enough ramp under the water. With a front wheel drive minivan, if the trailer wheels get stuck at the end of the ramp, you are in trouble.
The problem is that most town ramps are made for small fishing boats. A solution to keep your car dry is to make a 3 to 4 feet metal tube extension that will fit in your hitch receiver. But only use it to go up and down the ramp, never try to trailer the boat with it. Also be sure that it is enough ramp under the water. With a front wheel drive minivan, if the trailer wheels get stuck at the end of the ramp, you are in trouble.
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John King
deep water
I have an o'day 22 with a shoal draft. I had to build an extension for the tongue, which I attatch at the ramp.I only launch and haul once a year, so I can live with it.
I have an o'day 22 with a shoal draft. I had to build an extension for the tongue, which I attatch at the ramp.I only launch and haul once a year, so I can live with it.
Keep your van out of the water
Even worse than submerging the exhaust is finding out that your van is so far down the ramp you don't have enough traction under the tires to haul yourself (and the boat) back out. If your trailer tongue cannot extend, there is still hope. Get about 20 ft of 2-inch manila or poly line and tie the ends to the trailer coupler and the hitch on the van. Pile the slack on the trailer so it doesn't get run over. Back down the ramp until the trailer tires are about to go into the water. Chock them securely, then uncouple the trailer from the van. Lay out the rope so it will run freely and then pull the van forward until the trailer just eases off the chocks. Remove the chocks and reverse slowly. Gravity will pull the boat and trailer down the ramp. The van will still be high and dry when the boat floats free. Retrieving the boat is the reverse process. WARNING!! Check the ramp before you start to make sure the end doesn't drop off suddenly. You may lose the trailer off the edge before before the boat ever floats. Also, do NOT uncouple the trailer from the van without the rope securely tied to both! A lot has been written in the Smaller Boats Forum about raising masts on trailerable boats. This is a perennial challenge with the wing-keeled Hunter 23 and a number of rigs have been developed to ease the process. Check the Forum Archives and Photo Forum under "H23 mast raising". Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Even worse than submerging the exhaust is finding out that your van is so far down the ramp you don't have enough traction under the tires to haul yourself (and the boat) back out. If your trailer tongue cannot extend, there is still hope. Get about 20 ft of 2-inch manila or poly line and tie the ends to the trailer coupler and the hitch on the van. Pile the slack on the trailer so it doesn't get run over. Back down the ramp until the trailer tires are about to go into the water. Chock them securely, then uncouple the trailer from the van. Lay out the rope so it will run freely and then pull the van forward until the trailer just eases off the chocks. Remove the chocks and reverse slowly. Gravity will pull the boat and trailer down the ramp. The van will still be high and dry when the boat floats free. Retrieving the boat is the reverse process. WARNING!! Check the ramp before you start to make sure the end doesn't drop off suddenly. You may lose the trailer off the edge before before the boat ever floats. Also, do NOT uncouple the trailer from the van without the rope securely tied to both! A lot has been written in the Smaller Boats Forum about raising masts on trailerable boats. This is a perennial challenge with the wing-keeled Hunter 23 and a number of rigs have been developed to ease the process. Check the Forum Archives and Photo Forum under "H23 mast raising". Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Phil Teter
easer way
1. Build an extension tongue for your trailer - mine is about 10 feet long. 2. Use a block and tackle to step your mast. The one I use is the mainsheet.
1. Build an extension tongue for your trailer - mine is about 10 feet long. 2. Use a block and tackle to step your mast. The one I use is the mainsheet.
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