As the owner of this 88 26D for 3 months, I am leaning a lot about sailing (my first boat) by trial and error. I have trailered four times up to 52 miles to water so far, but on Wednesday, we will take it 180 miles to Ky Lake. I do not want to use trial and error on my wheel bearings. What is the normal maintenance and can you tell when maintenance is needed or problems are present? And hey guys (used genderlessly of course.... The joy of owning this boat includes the on-line connection with so many other Mac owners who gladly share with us newbies. It has been great!
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I assume that you have bearing buddies.
If not you should pick some up. They are inexpensive (~$30) but make maintaining your bearings extremely easy. I keep mine in mast up storage and only move it a couple of hundred yards. When I do take it home approx yearly I give the bearings a squirt. I have never seen water displaced when doing this and it amazes me everytime. Frank
If not you should pick some up. They are inexpensive (~$30) but make maintaining your bearings extremely easy. I keep mine in mast up storage and only move it a couple of hundred yards. When I do take it home approx yearly I give the bearings a squirt. I have never seen water displaced when doing this and it amazes me everytime. Frank
What's a bearing buddy
Sorry, I don't know what that is or where to get it/them. Help please. Thanks
Sorry, I don't know what that is or where to get it/them. Help please. Thanks
Most auto parts stores
carry them. Make sure you get the right size they come iin 2 diameters. They replace your wheel caps and have a zerk fitting on a spring loaded plate. As you pump grease in the spring allows the plate to expand the chamber. A word of caution do not over fill or the pressure will cause the buddy to pop out. Tap them in with a hammere and a wooden block. Frank
carry them. Make sure you get the right size they come iin 2 diameters. They replace your wheel caps and have a zerk fitting on a spring loaded plate. As you pump grease in the spring allows the plate to expand the chamber. A word of caution do not over fill or the pressure will cause the buddy to pop out. Tap them in with a hammere and a wooden block. Frank
Thanks for all the advice
Talked to the former owner who said yes, they are bearing buddies. Found the zerts inside and all greased up. One cap is missing. Where can I get a replacement. Thanks again to all you sail buddies.
Talked to the former owner who said yes, they are bearing buddies. Found the zerts inside and all greased up. One cap is missing. Where can I get a replacement. Thanks again to all you sail buddies.
Trailer story from one week ago today
One week ago today we were trailering a 1990 26S from Denver to Lake Powell and at about midnight between Green River and Hanksville Utah (ie, very remote), one of my trailer tires completely broke off. When the tire broke off (all the lug bolts sheered), I felt and heard the trailer "grinding" but it wasnt out of control. We just slept in the boat on the side of the road. Next morning, woke up early and found the tire over a fence about 1/8 mile away. The tire had blown and somehow this sheered off the lug bolts. I took the tire and the hub to Green River (55 mile round trip additional) and got a new tire, new lugs installed a new dust cap (the bearing buddy was also somehow missing) and some bearing grease. The guy who changed the tire looked at the date code on the tire - 1986 (the boat is a 1990 model). The tires "looked" OK despite there age. We got back on our way to Powell and launched by 2 PM. When we returned from the 5 day absolutely wonderful trip, I noticed the dust cap had fallen off somewhere with no chance of finding another for a many miles so I cut the bottom off a gatorade bottle and it fit snug enough and held on OK with bailing wire. Everything survived the trip back to Colorado. So.... you might also check the age of your tires (and if they are rated for a trailer) and the condition of the lug bolts. Also, make sure the nuts which hold the fenders on are tight.
One week ago today we were trailering a 1990 26S from Denver to Lake Powell and at about midnight between Green River and Hanksville Utah (ie, very remote), one of my trailer tires completely broke off. When the tire broke off (all the lug bolts sheered), I felt and heard the trailer "grinding" but it wasnt out of control. We just slept in the boat on the side of the road. Next morning, woke up early and found the tire over a fence about 1/8 mile away. The tire had blown and somehow this sheered off the lug bolts. I took the tire and the hub to Green River (55 mile round trip additional) and got a new tire, new lugs installed a new dust cap (the bearing buddy was also somehow missing) and some bearing grease. The guy who changed the tire looked at the date code on the tire - 1986 (the boat is a 1990 model). The tires "looked" OK despite there age. We got back on our way to Powell and launched by 2 PM. When we returned from the 5 day absolutely wonderful trip, I noticed the dust cap had fallen off somewhere with no chance of finding another for a many miles so I cut the bottom off a gatorade bottle and it fit snug enough and held on OK with bailing wire. Everything survived the trip back to Colorado. So.... you might also check the age of your tires (and if they are rated for a trailer) and the condition of the lug bolts. Also, make sure the nuts which hold the fenders on are tight.
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