2003 26M

[Jimmyt]

Is that an old rudder in the cabin? Does the boat have two good rudders?

Check the tires and wheel bearings if you buy it and insure it before you tow it.

Also, take a look at the trailer brakes and axle. Make sure they are in good shape. Check the trailer tongue for structural integrity. They rust from the inside out and will fail without warning.

From the pics, the boat looks pretty good. Looks like it's been kept outside, but it should clean up ok.

If you can get them to launch it and take you for a test run to verify the motor, do it. That's your biggest liability.

Looks like a nice rig. A few projects, but nothing too dramatic.

[Macwanted84]

I’m told extra rudder and daggerboard. The two on it have some painters tape but I think that was for red rags for backing it into the barn where it’s been stored. I’m a little skiddish on the rubber…looks immaculate but MAY be original.
Aluminum I-beam style OEM trailer…. I won’t haul if I have doubts, so taking the entire weekend to do it. Bottle Jack on hand. Thinking of buying e rated tires on the fly if I have to.

She was outside in fair weather, garaged in winter at least by the second owner…

Any thoughts on somehow getting rid of the shadow of the old name And duller spots on the hull?

Also anyone on here live between MI, IN and KY in case this goes poorly lol?

Wish me luck!

[Russ]

Is that an old rudder in the cabin? Does the boat have two good rudders?

Looks like the dagger board. But why is it in the cabin?

[Jimmyt]

Any thoughts on somehow getting rid of the shadow of the old name And duller spots on the hull?

I’d try a fine polishing compound on a small area by hand to see if it will bring it up. If so, fine polish and a buffing machine.

[Russ]

It's possible that the tires are original.

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage ... f-my-tires

If they are, I would change them out before a long (or short) trip.

I bet some compound will work for the shadow lettering.

[Macwanted84]

Thanks! Headlong up today and stopping to get tires and a transom saver on the way.

[Russ]

Don't forget to come back and post your adventure.

[Macwanted84]

Oh I def. Will!

[OverEasy]

Hi MacWanted84!

Great pictures!
Looks like you’ve found a great boat!

Take care on your travels and try to ease into the towing thing. Hope all goes well.

Best Regards
Over Easy

[NiceAft]

Do you now change your nom de plume from Macwanted84 to Macaquired23, or, Kentucky Bound

Congratulations on a successful Mac hunt, and welcome.

[Russ]

Do you now change your nom de plume from Macwanted84 to Macaquired23, or, Kentucky Bound

Congratulations on a successful Mac hunt, and welcome.

Good point. He may have to request a forum name change.

[Macwanted84]

Well ladies and gents, I’m still in Michigan. Taking another night in a hotel.

The acquisition went well, I did not care for the possibly original tires, and as I have already invested in new ones, I whipped into a harbor freight 6 miles away and swapped them out for the new ones I brought. They came aired up at about 56 psi so I used my handy dandy air gun to pump them up to 80. I believe that is max for the tires. What do y’all think? I checked the forum, and I THINK that’s the way to go…

I then realized the trailer is five pin, so I stopped to get an adapter. Lo and behold I got nothing when hooked up. One light was FUBAR, so I replaced (barely; the vertical guide arm was in the way for my too large light but after some putzing around I got em on). I ran all new wires to the three taillights and am banking on the surge power to still be accurately secured. I had to add multiple sections and connections because the kits were a couple feet too short, and will have to redo the entire thing at a later date or shrink wrap the hull out of it.

A couple questions:

While towing 6 miles back to the hotel, I hear a couple really decent “bangs” from the boat/trailer. I have secured the helm hard over to port with a bungee. As we all know, there is no way I am aware of to add a transom saver to this set up. Saw no damage after a walk around.

Could that have just been trailer noise on a pot hole?

I’m pulling with a 18 gmc canyon with the 6cyl. A little jerk from a dead stop, but I figure that’s par for the course…

Bearings buddies are packed to the gills, no measurable heat after a short tow. Will check this several times starting out tomorrow. Brakes look ok, no squealing or grinding or rubbing from the trailer that I could hear or discern.

Are ratchet straps necessary on the aft end of the boat? The previous owner didn’t seem to think so. It’s currently sitting in on the trailer with the bow hook on and under decent tightness…

Tire pressure? Currently 80 on E rated tires?

I’ll be honest I’m petrified this is gonna go badly. I don’t believe the previous owner (2nd) knew as much as I thought.

Trailer in really good repair save the lights. Didn’t see anything worrisome during my many hours I was under there.

Trailer tongue says something about a fitting that shows when the axle needs grease? Where is that exactly? Not a whole lot about the trailer in the documentation…

[NiceAft]

What does it say on the sidewall about the propper PSI. My trailer tires state 80PSI.

As to the stern strap, some are believers in that, some are not. I am a believer. One good bump, or a sharp avoidance turn can create a regrettable happening that a strong ratchet strap can prevent; Insurance.

Don’t do over 65MPH. Keep to the right, and just take your time.

[Jimmyt]

The brake mechanism operates by allowing the coupler to slide back and forth on the tongue. Also, your receiver can bang on bumps. Give a good look around for anything suspicious, but it’s probably the hitch and/or coupling. You do have the right size ball?

Sorry you didn’t ask about the transom saver before buying it.

Check your bunk wood for integrity.

I would get a big ratchet strap and throw it over the stern. You can tow without it, some do. I towed mine about 60 miles when I bought it - Previous owner didn’t use one and I didn’t take time to think it through. I don’t tow without one now, though. As Ray points out, it gets bad quick if the boat and trailer separate.

[Macwanted84]

Thanks fellas! I called a gearhead buddy of mine, who helped alleviate some of my paranoia. I said if you put new tread on it, and the bearings are packed with grease, and the brakes aren’t dragging, squealing, or making a racket, the likelihood of them seizing and you rolling over 12 times is extremely minimal.”

Thank you for the advice about the coupling in the receiver. I’m hoping that’s all it was.

I am using a 2 inch ball.

I’ve also eaten, and that seems to make everything better. Especially after a day on your back of the advance AutoZone parking lot in Muskegon.