Trailer and genoa...

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Rich Songer

Now that the fun and horror of our first sail is over, there were several things that became evident that I don't have a clue. First, we need to upgrade our trailer. Has anyone out there done the same and what brands and types should we be looking at? Second, roller furling versus going with hanked on jib and genoa? Is roller furling that much better? We still don't know as our system failed and couldn't deploy the sail on our shakedown cruise. If we stay with a roller furling; can we still use our jib? How? Third, and last question, what is the best choice on spreaders? Go with the stock spreaders or is there a stronger one available that fits an '83 25 ft. Mac? It is obvious we are hooked on sailing. I can't think of anything I'd rather do, but there is more to it than just pulling a sail. Funny how perceptions change quickly when you have experience.....:)
 
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Brian M

What's wrong

Rich, Two questions. What's wrong with the trailer? Is it the original Mac trailer? I find mine to be just fine....more so after making three mods, one a trailer extension that I saw on another web site and the other was wider boards on the aft end of the trailer and the last is some vertical pvc pipes at the rear to make it easy to find the rear when in the water. As far as a furler, I'll never go back to a hanked jib. I like it that much. Brian M
 
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Rich Songer

Loading the boat...

It took six people and more muscle power than all of us had to square the boat up with the trailer. The trailer is an original and the v-bracket in the back is terribly close to the road. It actually scared my driveway on backing it in. As far as the roller furling, I should replace it before going to a more manual system. In fact, the front anchor point for the forestay (where the roller furling attaches) has another hole that could be used for a jib (?), I think? However I need to get another shroud to attach the jib if I keep the roller furling... Overall, the boat has been excellent to sail. I can't wait to get everything the way it should be to really give her a shake down cruise..... Thanks for the input....
 
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Tim Bastian

Furler and trailer

Hi Rich, Just a dumb question and not meaning to sound derogatory but did you get any instruction on how the furler works? There is a line you have to release in order for the furler to allow the sail to come out. The other thing you might check is the safety pin in the turn buckle on the forestay. It can interfere with the rotation of the spindle. You may want to check your springs on the trailer if it is setting to low. There are however some other good trailers out there. http://www.ezloader.com/ http://www.championtrailers.com/trlrnet.html http://www.boat-trailers.com/ http://www.loadmastertrailer.com/ http://www.fastloadtrailers.com/ http://www.aluminumboattrailer.com/ http://www.eagletrailer.com/ There are many more on-line. Just put boat trailer in to any search engine. Tim Bastian Zephyr’s Aura Hixson, TN
 
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Brian M

Trailer Mods to make things easier

Rick Here is the site for a trailer mod wich makes it possible to put the trailer deeper in the water..which I think will solve your problem with loading. You are so right about the "V" at the aft end of the trailer. I solved that by doing a suspension left much like you would do to a 4X4 truck. Basically you would insert suspension blocks between the springs and the axle. Effectively raising the trailer frame higher off the ground. Worked great. I did a 4" lift. Most auto parts store/catalogs have the parts. You need longer "U" bolts and the blocks. You might need to make the wiring for the brakes longer. Brian M
 
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Doug Rodrigues

Trailer pvc guides.

Those PVC guides on the rear of the trailer are almost a necessity. Without them, loading without a second person's help is almost impossible. If a cross wind is blowing, IMPOSSIBLE! I've tried using the add-on side bunks, but those things bend out of alignment if the boat ramp is not level. I haven't yet gotten the PVC guides, but from what I've seen with the motorboats, the PVC guides at the rear of the trailer are the only way to go!
 
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