Stevenhigbee wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:09 pm You would have plenty of clearance by just getting the trailer out of the way--no need to raise everything up higher.

Good to know, thanks!

Now that I've had the idea I probably would raise it up. More room would surely make the job easier. But it's good to know that it's not necessary.

I like that idea. I have some nice long, heavy-duty cargo straps that I might start taking with me in the truck. Normally, I get the boat pretty snugly into the Vee, but I agree that this method is better than the "bump" for those times when it doesn't get all the way up, or slips back.

Stevenhigbee wrote: ↑Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:35 am I don't think increasing the distance from the ground will help. The issue is increasing the distance between the boat and the trailer, and ramps would just raise them both up.

"...then let down the trailer and remove it, leaving the boat on blocks..."

Thanks everyone, that's all great feedback. Here's what I had in mind. I have a set of ramps that I use for working on cars and trucks, similar to these: https://www.harborfreight.com/solid-steel-auto-ramp-set-63250.html I was using them to service my tow vehicle the other day when I realized that i...

To clarify, I'm not planning to remove the keel on my 1995 Mac 26S any time soon. But I am thinking ahead to the day when I might want to. I have an idea for how to get the boat off the trailer and onto stands and I'm wondering how much ground clearance is required to remove the keel. Has anyone her...

I tried cleaning them with varsol but it appears the pattern on the insulators is burned right in, not just a deposit. So I think you're right. I think they're cracked and arcing through the insulator. So, yes, I will replace them. It seems very odd to me that they both cracked essentially the same ...

I have a nice photo of this but I can't figure out how to attach it so I'll have to go with a description of the problem. I'm not a stranger to reading spark plugs but I've never before seen ones like what I just pulled from my Tohatsu 8B. The plugs are squeeky clean except for carbon deposits on th...

Thanks, I hadn't noticed the ball valve option. Although, I was thinking of rewiring to a six-pin connector anyway. But it's nice to know the ball valve option exists.

Tedd

I started overhauling the brakes on my 1995 26S trailer today. And I discovered the Blue Water Yachts disc brake kit. <http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/9608-1v4.htm> This looks like a good option for a bunch of reasons, especially considering that if I stick with the drums I'll be spending money o...

I'm not familiar with the structure of the 25 but I assume it's similar to my 26S. I'd be inclined to through bolt if you can, using washers with larger than standard OD. It's generally a good idea to spread out the load on fiberglass, where feasible.

Thanks for all the great comments, everyone. Yes, I did read the Tow Beast thread, but it's several years old now and a lot has changed in the car/truck market since then so I thought I'd solicit new comments. Interesting comments on the mass of Macs and trailers. I had always taken the published Ma...

I've been towing my 26S with a Mitsubishi Delica. It's been adequate, but only just. The Delica is nearing the end of its life (frame rust, not due to towing) and, at the same time, my wife and I want to go down to one vehicle. I would be fine with a pickup truck with a crew cab or club cab, but my ...

Jonair222:

That is a really interesting idea! I was going to custom make some Y-shaped pieces out of thin PVC sheet and place them every so often along the cable, but your tie wrap idea is much simpler!

Tedd

I've had luck with this kind of situation before by making a lasso from a length of aluminum or steel tube and a small rope. Slide an electrician's fish tape through the tube and hook the middle of the rope onto it. Pull the rope back through the tube until you have a small loop sticking out. Now yo...

Thanks, Sumner. That's very similar to what I had in mind, except that I was planning to pierce the deck on the center line, just aft of the mast. What was the advantage of putting it beside the mast? Another difference is that I was going to put a bulkhead connector through the deck, with a connect...