Tow boat, slip to ramp
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lelandmorris
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2025 11:14 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Tow boat, slip to ramp
Having motor problem. Need support getting 26X from slip to launch ramp in Marina Bay yacht harbor, Richmond, CA and getting on trailer.
call, text or email
Lee 510 334 4450
[email protected]
call, text or email
Lee 510 334 4450
[email protected]
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6709
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: tow boat, slip to ramp
If you are a member of BOATUS, and have signed up for TowboatUS, you can get towed from the slip to the ramp.
Ray ~~_/)~~
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leefrankpierce
- First Officer
- Posts: 238
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:13 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Dallas Ft-Worth Texas
Re: toe slip to ramp
The marina does not have a service boat?
Seems one that size should have something to help.
Seems one that size should have something to help.
26X in Dallas Fort-Worth area Texas
Slip at Eagle Mountain Lake

Slip at Eagle Mountain Lake
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6709
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: tow boat slip to ramp
Well, if you are not a member of BOATUS, you can try asking a slip neighbor to give you a tow. Once you’re tied up to the ramp dock, you can pull your Mac onto the trailer with a long line.
If your ballast is full, you may have to back the trailer farther in drink than you’re comfortable with. Once the bow is attached to the trailer, slowly pull out the boat, and stop after a few feet to drain the ballast; repeat a few times until the ballast is empty.
If your ballast is full, you may have to back the trailer farther in drink than you’re comfortable with. Once the bow is attached to the trailer, slowly pull out the boat, and stop after a few feet to drain the ballast; repeat a few times until the ballast is empty.
Ray ~~_/)~~
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leefrankpierce
- First Officer
- Posts: 238
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:13 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Dallas Ft-Worth Texas
Re: tow boat slip to ramp
Your supposed to dump your ballast water before putting on the trailer?
Then, you can not go pull the "waste gate" and jump out of the way like it is acid to entertain any bystanders.
Make sure to comment about the next rain washing down the ramp.
Then, you can not go pull the "waste gate" and jump out of the way like it is acid to entertain any bystanders.
Make sure to comment about the next rain washing down the ramp.
26X in Dallas Fort-Worth area Texas
Slip at Eagle Mountain Lake

Slip at Eagle Mountain Lake
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lelandmorris
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2025 11:14 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Re: tow boat, slip to ramp
Subject line should have read "tow boat, slip to ramp"
I must have not been clear with my post. I am asking for assistance to tow my boat from slip to ramp. I am new to the forum and assumed it was local. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area. Boat in Richmond, Marina Bay Yacht Harbor.
Once I get to ramp I know how to take boat out of water. If someone local has time to help please contact me.
Lee Sheldon
Text 510 334 4450
I must have not been clear with my post. I am asking for assistance to tow my boat from slip to ramp. I am new to the forum and assumed it was local. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area. Boat in Richmond, Marina Bay Yacht Harbor.
Once I get to ramp I know how to take boat out of water. If someone local has time to help please contact me.
Lee Sheldon
Text 510 334 4450
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6709
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: tow boat, slip to ramp
Dumping ballast before pulling out is preferable, but not an imperative. If the ballast is not dumped first, then as long as the valves and vent are open, water will empty as the boat is pulled out. Just pull out a few feet and stopping.
I am the original owner of my 2005 M. Twenty years ago, taking NiceAft out at the ramp for the first time, I had forgotten to open the stern valve for the ballast. As I was on the ramp, I opened the valve. It looked like a fire hose was opened. An old salt watching said “Son, that boat’s too new to be taking on that much water!”
I am the original owner of my 2005 M. Twenty years ago, taking NiceAft out at the ramp for the first time, I had forgotten to open the stern valve for the ballast. As I was on the ramp, I opened the valve. It looked like a fire hose was opened. An old salt watching said “Son, that boat’s too new to be taking on that much water!”
Ray ~~_/)~~
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6709
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
As I posted, can you ask any slip neighbors to tow you to the ramp? Mac’s do not weigh much. Once there you can get it on the trailer.
P.S. I corrected the subject phrasing.
P.S. I corrected the subject phrasing.
Ray ~~_/)~~
- Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1895
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
I'm sorry to hear about your engine problems. This is a very helpful and friendly group and I hope we can help you in the future. I checked the user map and there are only a couple of members near SF and none of them are regularly active. I feel your pain but I don't think anyone nearby is going to see your request.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
- kmclemore
- Site Admin
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
Lee, I wish we had members nearby, but it looks like we don’t.
I will allow this thread to stay up for another week, but then I’m going to delete this thread, only because with your phone and email listed you'll start getting a ton of spam.
I will allow this thread to stay up for another week, but then I’m going to delete this thread, only because with your phone and email listed you'll start getting a ton of spam.
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
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lelandmorris
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2025 11:14 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
Thanks for looking out for me.
Salt water killed my Evenrude, I have purchased a new 60 HP Honda which will give me more time to enjoy my boat. That is why I need to get boat on trailer to install new motor. I am 86 and still love sailing. San Francisco Bay is challenging but at least I can sail all year, no winter down time. Summer winds average 15 knots.
Lee
Salt water killed my Evenrude, I have purchased a new 60 HP Honda which will give me more time to enjoy my boat. That is why I need to get boat on trailer to install new motor. I am 86 and still love sailing. San Francisco Bay is challenging but at least I can sail all year, no winter down time. Summer winds average 15 knots.
Lee
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45Plus+
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:42 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Rockland, Ontario
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
Wow - what a ringing endorsement of staying healthy and enjoying sailing as long as you can - particularly in an area like the San Francisco Bay. Its a great endorsement of Macs as well
.
As for finding someone to help move your boat, I have found boaters to be a very willing and helpful bunch. That said, you do have to ask for help as most of the boaters I have met tend to mind their own business likely because they think you are enjoying minding your own business too. Once asked though, most if not all will go out of their way to help out.
Good luck - at least you aren't facing a coming seasonal closure of your marina/club - you've got time.
Duncan
As for finding someone to help move your boat, I have found boaters to be a very willing and helpful bunch. That said, you do have to ask for help as most of the boaters I have met tend to mind their own business likely because they think you are enjoying minding your own business too. Once asked though, most if not all will go out of their way to help out.
Good luck - at least you aren't facing a coming seasonal closure of your marina/club - you've got time.
Duncan
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lelandmorris
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2025 11:14 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
sailing is one of the key ingredients to a healthy life. besides being 86 and my co-captain wife 84 I had a stroke 7 years ago paralyzing my left side. The mind set of getting back in the Mac was a major ingredient in my recovery. Prior to the stroke I was a runner 30 miles per week. I have regained about 90% of my pre-stroke condition. Stay active, eat well, maintain a social life and hopefully a lifetime companion - you will be able to sail to 80 and beyond.
Going to Marina Saturday hope to find someone to help.
Lee
Going to Marina Saturday hope to find someone to help.
Lee
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OverEasy
- Admiral
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: Tow boat, slip to ramp
Hi LelandMorris!
Sorry to hear of your engine issues. Bummer!
BoatUS is affiliated with Gelcoat insurance but you don’t need to get your boat insurance to get tow coverage.
Annual membership in BoatUS is about $190. Far less than the cost of a tow generally.
You can sign up online or over the phone.
Tow coverage is immediate.
I’ve appreciated having the tow coverage on several occasions where when working on our little run about the engine fizzled.
Well worth the coverage just for the towing.
A phone call and they show up as soon as they can.
Polite, considerate, capable and timely… just about anywhere you might find yourself.
BoatUS.com
Ph: 800-283-2883
Hope this helps!
Best Regards,
Over Easy

Sorry to hear of your engine issues. Bummer!
BoatUS is affiliated with Gelcoat insurance but you don’t need to get your boat insurance to get tow coverage.
Annual membership in BoatUS is about $190. Far less than the cost of a tow generally.
You can sign up online or over the phone.
Tow coverage is immediate.
I’ve appreciated having the tow coverage on several occasions where when working on our little run about the engine fizzled.
Well worth the coverage just for the towing.
A phone call and they show up as soon as they can.
Polite, considerate, capable and timely… just about anywhere you might find yourself.
BoatUS.com
Ph: 800-283-2883
Hope this helps!
Best Regards,
Over Easy
