Trailer specifications for Venture 25

[Tvmunk1]

Hello Fellow Sailing Enthusiasts ,
I was lucky to make it home from my last trip. I had just trailered back from Clearwater, Florida about 100 miles and when I splashed in to launch back home and the buoyancy on the tire was just enough to have the entire wheel, hub and all, slip off the axel and start floating away. Freaked me right out. Glad it didn't happen on I-4. The trailer was old, rusted, and just plain wrong for the boat when I bought her. I need to replace the trailer before I "Venture" away from my home lake again. Would anyone have dealer specifications for the trailer that came with the Macgregor Venture 25 in 1978? I want to have one built with the intended boat position so I'll get the toung weight right. Swing keel. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Sail On,

Steve

 

[svchickadee]

Try Triad Trailer in Raleigh.

 

[rgranger]

If you still have the actual frame, you might find good results by removing the existing axle and upgrade the axle... maybe even go up to a dual axle system . It should not cost you much above $2,000 to have it done and if you can weld yourself, you can get the axles from Norther Tool for under $300. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ontent=48206&gclid=CMOD6ZyqnNACFchMDQodGsgIXA

Glen-L sells a nice little pamphlet on building boat trailers (I have a copy - http://www.glen-l.com/boat-trailer-plans/). The plans from Glen-L walk you through how to build from scratch but you would not need to start there since you have a working frame. You would simply need to weld on the spring tangs and attach the axles. You can usually find a cheap electric arc welder on Craigs List for under $50.

While you are welding, you could add some stiffening rods to the old frame to inhibit flex.

Fair winds,

 

[Tvmunk1]

Thanks for your replies . Wish I had that much project time. Still working more than full time so haven't taken up cool hobbies like welding. Would anyone know of a documentation resource that might be around so I can find those trailer specifications?

 

[rgranger]

You might try posting this question on
www.macgregorsailors.com

 

[RussC]

But what I want to know is how you got the boat/trailer back up the ramp???

 

[Tvmunk1]

Hey Russ, The boat has been in the water ever since. The trailer is a duel axle so I was able to limp home on the remaining wheels. I'm grounded to my home lake until I come up with something. Crazy lucky. Thanks for asking. Seeing a floating wheel in my rear view mirror was a real eye opener.

 

[rgranger]

... The trailer is a duel axle ...

So that would not be the original trailer then. The original on the Mac25 was single axle.

 

[Tvmunk1]

True Granger,

The trailer I have is not a good fit. The single axel in the artists rendering of the Mac 25 manual looks like a much better option. I would really like to find one in good shape or have one built to those specifications.

 

[rgranger]

True Granger,

The trailer I have is not a good fit. The single axel in the artists rendering of the Mac 25 manual looks like a much better option. I would really like to find one in good shape or have one built to those specifications.

One nice thing about swing keel sailboats is the fact that many generic trailers designed for a V-hull ski boat will work. You only need to add a support down the middle to support the keel.

I've restored 6 old sailboats and have done a lot of buying and selling of boats and trailers.... and I've noticed a few odd things about the trailer market, first, a used trailer in decent shape (WITHOUT A BOAT SITTING ON IT) seems to cost way more than you would expect ($1.5K) almost better off forking out the money for a new one.. however a crappy boat sitting on a decent trailer seems to almost bring the asking price of the trailer to zero.

I purchased this trailer (see photo) with a SeaHawk 20 fishing boat sitting on it ... blown motor.... I got the boat and trailer for $400. I then stripped the boat of all decent hardware and sold the hull as a project for $100. I estimate I got about $200 worth of decent hardware off of the SeaHawk so in the end the trailer cost me $100. In these photos you can see where I added tangs for the hull supports... This trailer is now fitted to a Rhodes 22 and has a sailboat sitting on it. I could get a picture of that if you are interested in seeing how I fit the boat but you probably can find a trailer that already has skids. I had to do a little more work because the Rhodes has both a fixed keel and a swing keel configuration and I needed more height.... the Mac 25 will not have that problem.

and you are


Take a moment to look at Craigs List in your area and then expand the search to neighboring states. Go to the boat section and limit your search to boats under $500. You will eventually find a boat that has been sitting under a tree for a few years... looks awful, and the owner just wants it gone... .but it might be sitting a perfectly good trailer... Do what you want with the ski boat... chop it up... sell it to someone who wants a project....

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

How about a couple of photos of your rusted trailer. There are various reasons why the hub came off while thinking the trailer is no good. I use to be a Mac Dealer as well years ago.

 

[Tvmunk1]

That would be really helpful. Thanks Dave. Next time I go to the storage yard I'll snap some pics.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You are welcome and send me a private email when you do post them here so I can respond back. If you want me to call, send me your phone number. I do not share that information with anyone to include my wife.