MUCK-About Sail

[mastreb]

Okay, we've committed to doing this! We're making a month-long summer vacation out.

To date, while I've towed quite a bit on the freeway here in Southern California, the farthest distance I've ever towed at once was 120 miles. My trailer is a 2010 and in good shape, although beginning to show a lot of rust on the jack. No significant maintenance has been performed on it thus far.

For those of you who've done long distance towing with the stock M aluminum trailer, besides making sure I've topped off the grease, what else should I worry about? I've got a spare tire for it, and the axle manual specifically warns against re-packing the bearings.

While I usually just use docklines and a trucker's hitch to hold down the stern, I will be using straps for this trip.

Matt

P.S. If there's any San Diego or west coast beer anyone would like me to bring, let me know!

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I've towed my 26M 07 aluminum trailor from SC to Key West and Lake Erie. As well as 2 6hr trips to Beaufort, NC. I have sea tow with trailer rider. Have a grease gun and plan on greasing the bearings twice a day. Bring a floor jack and a piece of plywood in case you need to jack the trailor on soft ground. Recommend a mast crutch to help support the mast. There are good examples using PVC. I don't carry extra hubs. I'll leave that to the pros. Propper tire pressure will ensure you don't blow the tires. 60 psi. Watch your tongue weight. Balance your internal boat load over the axle. After losing a bearing buddy on the keys trip, I now carry extras. Run your gas tanks empty before you leave. Make sure your lugs are free so you can change a tire.

Safe towing... Planning on making the trip myself.

[TFlight]

Okay, we've committed to doing this! We're making a month-long summer vacation out.


For those of you who've done long distance towing with the stock M aluminum trailer, besides making sure I've topped off the grease, what else should I worry about? I've got a spare tire for it, and the axle manual specifically warns against re-packing the bearings.

Matt,
In addition to the other good recommendation:
I had trouble with trailer lights especially the ones on the fenders until I changed to LED's. I still carry spare parts, wire, crimps, and ties.
I use a laser infrared thermometer whenever I stop to check the temperature of the tires and the bearings. I bought it at Harbor Freight Tool, $29.
http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contac ... 96451.html

You might check the bolts that hold the fenders on. I found mine on my 2009 trailer to be getting loose and the fenders were vibrating excessively.
Take a good lug wrench and check your nuts, lol they can get loose.
I use a safety strap for the bow and stern.
Watch for excessive spider webbing and cracks on the tires. I try to keep the speed below 65mph.
If your vehicle is capable put the weight on it not in the boat. if I remember right my 09 26M & trailer weighed in at 4,300lbs. Again if I remember right, I'm not home to check this, I think that is pretty close to the load limit of the tires.

TFlight AKA: Tony, D'Lei

[Uncle Jim]

Sea Dreamer and I might try and make it although we no longer have the mac, anyone mind if a 34' hunter shows up

Mastreb, there is a brokerage just south of Annapolis who is a big dearler in used macs and has said in the past that he would find parking for trailer and beasts (for a small charge of course) let me know if you need it.

Jim

[RobertB]

I bought my boat from Macgregor factory sales. Mike said he would cover the shipping. Silly me thought there would be a shipping container showing up locally (like shown on the website). Imagine my surprise when a guy in a pickup truck pulled into my driveway. My brand new boat and trailer already had over 2600 miles on it. Main casualty were the absolutely cheap tail lights. So, as others have said, put decent lights on, grease the bearings, and have a safe trip. If all else fails, you can park in my yard - it would be pretty funny to have two boats named Luna Sea parked side by side.

[mdeane]

If you have a trailer with a few years use and it has been exposed to salt water, I would recommend checking/replacing the steel break line that passes through the neap from the master cylinder to the axial. Mine failed inside the box beam from corrosion.


Marc

[TFlight]

Sea Dreamer and I might try and make it although we no longer have the mac, anyone mind if a 34' hunter shows up

Mastreb, there is a brokerage just south of Annapolis who is a big dearler in used macs and has said in the past that he would find parking for trailer and beasts (for a small charge of course) let me know if you need it.

Jim

Uncle Jim, Come on along we'd love to have ya ! We may have another Hunter and a Catalina. Now if things get competitive you migh get a handicap. Lol

TFlight AKA D'Lei, Tony

[mastreb]

I bought my boat from Macgregor factory sales. Mike said he would cover the shipping. Silly me thought there would be a shipping container showing up locally (like shown on the website). Imagine my surprise when a guy in a pickup truck pulled into my driveway. My brand new boat and trailer already had over 2600 miles on it. Main casualty were the absolutely cheap tail lights. So, as others have said, put decent lights on, grease the bearings, and have a safe trip. If all else fails, you can park in my yard - it would be pretty funny to have two boats named Luna Sea parked side by side.

That would be a great picture!

[Uncle Jim]

Sea Dreamer and I might try and make it although we no longer have the mac, anyone mind if a 34' hunter shows up

Mastreb, there is a brokerage just south of Annapolis who is a big dearler in used macs and has said in the past that he would find parking for trailer and beasts (for a small charge of course) let me know if you need it.

Jim

Uncle Jim, Come on along we'd love to have ya ! We may have another Hunter and a Catalina. Now if things get competitive you migh get a handicap. Lol

TFlight AKA D'Lei, Tony

My sailing skill are my greatest handicap

[TFlight]

MUCK-About Alert!

The 2nd annual MUCK-About (McGregor Upper Chesapeake Kick-About) is just less then 6 months away. Scheduled to start from Sandy Point State Park on Friday July 12th, 2013. The same route as last year. For those that are new to the MUCKA I have tried to condense most of the information about this fun weekend into the first post.

I took advantage of our 50’F January day and road my motorcycle 85 miles across the Bay to do some reconnaissance in Rock Hall. Since there was interest in a pet friendly marina I checked out the Sail Emporium Marina (SEM) at Rock Hall.
I know we all had a really good time and enjoyed the facilities at North Point Marina across the cove last year but lets give the Sail Emporium a try this year for those with furry family members, no I’m not talking about uncle Joey.
SEM amenities include: deep water slips $2.00/Ft, electric $8.00, pet friendly, showers, pool, picnic & barbecue area, complimentary coffee, tea & pastries, gift shop, full service marina & parts.
http://www.sailingemporium.com/transient.php

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS FOR Saturday night JULY 13, 2013 with the MUCK-About Group at THE SAIL EMPORIUM at (410) 778-1342

Okay you frozen Deadbeets,

I know it's still cold out but this weekend when you get that peek of sunshine or breeze through your hair, or hardtop as the case may be, and you get that blip of a memory between your ears.... ahhh SAILING! .... Then the next blip should be I have to call and make reservations at THE SAIL EMPORIUM at (410) 778-1342 for the MUCK-About for Saturday night JULY 13, 2013.
Look I called, it was easy, and they don't even need a deposit!

Chief MUCKER
Tony

[Seapup]

Okay you frozen Deadbeets,

I know it's still cold out but this weekend when you get that peek of sunshine or breeze through your hair, or hardtop as the case may be, and you get that blip of a memory between your ears.... ahhh SAILING! .... Then the next blip should be I have to call and make reservations at THE SAIL EMPORIUM at (410) 778-1342 for the MUCK-About for Saturday night JULY 13, 2013.

Frozen...bah...the bay doesn't freeze.

Pulled the boat for some uneeded maintenance in Dec and back in already for the season. Was a beautiful sunset drying the mold off the sails with the brown chesapeake reflecting off the icey winter clouds tonight. (Nice and toasty on electric heat now back at the marina)

We may be able to add another mac at the muck. We are off work (teachers) and on the water all summer, but the weather will be our decider how far we make it up the bay by early July. We have the Mattaponi and Pamunky rivers as our first destinations for this summer.

[yukonbob]

I bought a four pack of those black interlocking foam pads and throw one on the bow and put the spare tire on it then ratchet strap it to the trailer ( the tire distributes the load and keeps the straps from pinching the bow). I also bought a yoga mat from Walmart and cut it into pieces and put another strap over the stern in front of the helm with the mat where ever the strap touches the boat. In addition to the trailer winch and strap I put a safety chain through the bow ring and lock it snug with a lock or screw type caribeaner. Mast crutch, load distribution, grease gun extra set of bearings ( I use my hands to check the temp, if it starts to get hot to the touch you have problems) Once blew a bearings on an old car, it got so hot I couldn't take the lug nuts off by hand. I try and do regular maintenance once a year.

[vkmaynard]

Vacation time requested!

Victor

[RobertB]

Only two of us have registered at Sail Emporium for the night of July 13. Need more to sign up to save Tony's good name

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Will be registering this weekend...

Also for any other folks in the MUCK area. We'll be sailing the area the week before. Initial planning has us launching at Sandy Point on Sunday, 6 July and heading down to the Rhode River to anchor overnight, Monday we're heading to St. Michaels, Tuesday in St Michaels, Wednesday back across the bay to Galesville, then Thursday heading back to Annapolis. Friday we'll join up with the group. If we're trailering for 9 hrs, we've got to stay longer than a weekend.

Looking forward to the trip,

Bob
S/V Syzygy