Trailer Conversion

[henryange15]

Hey folks. First time post here with a 1982 MacGregor 25. I have a good used Hunter 25 trailer and want to convert it to hold my MacGregor 25. I have two questions: First, the running boards angle from bow to stern differently when looking at pics for the two trailers. What is the angle and how far apart should they be. Secondly, the swing keel hits when putting the MacGregor on the trailer, (no Vee section in trailer, just straight across). What is the distance from the bottom of the hull to the lowest part of the keel when in full up position. I need to raise my bunks.

Thanks for the help and all of the post I have read already.

Henry
Brandon, MS

 

[Fred]

Mac Trailer measurements

I have a ~1979 Mac/Ven 25 and a double axle trailer. See attached some pictures I took that hopefully will help you out. The pictures show the front roller (~ 8ft back from bow stop), the keel "V" (~14ft back from bow stop) and the back cross member (~19.5 ft from bow stop). The bunks are made from 2x6 and are 44 inches apart (outside dimensions). They are parallel for the entire length. The keel "V" is 11.5 inches below the bunks and the front roller is 6.5 inches below the bunks when measured from a board placed across the bunks.

 

[Fred]

I'll try the pictures again

 

[Fred]

and again

hope the pictures work this time.

 

[henryange15]

Re: Mac Trailer measurements

Thanks a whole bunch Fred. The numbers are great, just what I needed. The keel angle down is my problem. I am trying to raise my bunks because this trailer does not have the Vee in the back two crossmembers.

Did you happen to notice if the two bunks are level with no bow in them? As in the pictures of my trailer there is a considerable bow. I am thinking based on your pics that there is none or a very slight bow.

Thanks.

 

[vwjon-M25]

Bunk height

What is the distance from the bottom of the hull to the lowest part of the keel when in full up position. I need to raise my bunks.

Thanks for the help and all of the post I have read already.

Henry
Brandon, MS

Remember to raise the bunks enough so the keel can be lowered a bit with the boat on the trailer. That way the trailer carries the keel weight.

 

[Fred]

The bunks are 12 feet long and are depressed by about 3 inches in the center.

 

[henryange15]

Remember to raise the bunks enough so the keel can be lowered a bit with the boat on the trailer. That way the trailer carries the keel weight.

Thanks vwjon, I plan on raising an extra 1 to 2 inches just for that reason.

Also, Fred thanks for the bunk information about the 3 inch depression.

Hope this works.

 

[henryange15]

Hey guys, just wanted to update any readers on the progress.

I had 8 new 1 and 1/2 inch 11 gauge tubing cut to 18 inches to replace the existing shorter ones on the trailer. I matched up the bolt holes at the bottom of all 8 and drilled the holes. I installed the two front and two rear poles after center line drilling the top hole that the bunk bracket attaches too. I then bought new PT 2 x 6 by 12 foot bunks and installed the brackets to the underside. I cut 4 temporary 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" wooden blanks from a 2 x 4 for the 4 center poles, matched up the bottom holes and drilled the top hole so the bunk has a 3" depression.

Yesterday, I pulled the boat over the trailer, hooked the bow and eased the trailer and the boat forward 1 foot at a time watching it settle onto the trailer. I left the 4 middle bunk attach points free and watched the boat produce the curvature of the bunks as it settled. It settled to about 2 3/4" of a depression. I will use these measurements to drill my holes for the final metal tubing to be installed to the 4 middle brackets. I will put the carpet onto the bunks once all this is done. I left it off for now so I could see the curvature of the boat contact the bunks. This helped in determining the proper depression for this boat.

So far so good. Thanks for all the help guys.