The following check list was posted on the MacGregor listserv on December 17, 1997 courtesy of Tom Larimer. Tom is a member of the Dayton Power Squadron, D/24, and prepared this list for his own use with his MacGregor 26, Trojan. While Tom freely shares this list with others to modify for their own preferences, he does not warrant it as complete or suitable for all situations. If you find this list helpful, please make sure to send Tom a note of thanks and let him know that you found his list on the V/MYC web site.
Before Towing
--- Boat ---
Mast -
Shrouds and stays - Tied to mast and/or stanchions.
Gear - Secured inside boat: boom, PFDs, equipment, etc.
Hatch - Down and secured.
Rudder - Secured in up position with bolt.
Outboard - Clamps tight, safety cable secure.
Boat secured to trailer -
--- Trailer ---
Wheel lug nuts - Tighten with lug wrench.
Wheel bearings - Check, add grease if necessary.
Tires - Inflated to ____ psi.
Coupling -
Safety chain - Secured to car with adequate slack.
Break-away cable - Secured to car with adequate slack.
Wiring - Connection secure.
Trailer lights - Checked. (Tail, side, brake, turn signals.)
While Towing
After 15-20 min. and every 2 to 3 hrs - Stop to check rig:
Rigging The Boat
Check that the route from the rigging area to the launch ramp is clear of overhead electric wires.
Shrouds and stays - Untie from mast.
RAISE THE MAST:
Rigging - Check stays and shrouds for kinks, tension, etc.
Boom - Attached to mast
Rudder -
Centerboard - Full up.
Ballast valve and air vent plug - Closed and installed.
Boat tie-downs - Removed.
Winch cable - Connected to bow.
Dock lines - Attached to bow and stern cleats.
Fenders - Attached.
Trailering light - Removed from boat and stowed.
Electric wiring harness - Disconnected at hitch.
Trailer wheel hubs - Checked. (Not hot) Add grease if nec.
Fuel tank - Connected to outboard motor.
Launching
Back boat into water.
Secure to dock or shore with dock lines.
Disconnect winch cable.
Park tow vehicle and trailer.
Before Leaving Dock
Ballast valve and air vent plug - Open and removed.
Loose gear - Secured below
Outboard motor - Start (to warm-up)
Main sail -
Main sheet assembly - Attached and checked.
Jib - Attach halyard and tack shackle; hank to forestay.
Jib sheets - Lead through fairleads; tie stopper knots.
Water level - Check ballast tank full. (Six minutes)
Ballast valve and air vent plug - Closed and installed.
Rudder - Lowered.
Centerboard - As desired.
Depart dock.
Remove fenders and dock lines.
Before Docking
Outboard motor - Start (to warm-up)
Dock lines and fenders - Attached.
Jib - Lowered and secured. (or bagged and stowed)
Main sail - Lowered and secured. (or bagged and stowed)
At The Dock
Secure boat to dock with dock lines.
Rudder - Up.
Centerboard - Up.
Back trailer into water; ease boat onto trailer.
Winch hook - Attached to bow eye.
Winch boat full forward, bow snug in chock.
Check alignment of boat on trailer.
Ease boat out of water onto ramp.
Ballast inlet valve - Check for leaking under boat.
Ballast valve and air vent plug - Open and removed.
Check for overhead electric wires before towing the boat to the set-up area.
Rigging For Trailing
Sails - Removed and stowed.
Boom - Removed and stowed.
Mast support - Installed
Side support lines - Installed.
Mast raising pole - Installed.
Jib halyard - Attached to mast raising pole and cleated. (End of pole should be about 30" above deck.)
Mast raising block and tackle - Installed.
Block and tackle line - Around winch and secured.
Forestay - Disconnected from forestay plate.
Ease mast down using winch. Rest on mast support.
Mast raising equipment - Removed and stowed.
Mast base - Remove bolt from tabernacle.
Mast - Move forward to bow rail. Insert bolt.
Continue with BEFORE TOWING checklist
NOTE: I have difficulty getting the boat full forward on the trailer when pulling it out of the water. Even though I winch it into the chock before I pull it out of the water, after I pull it up the ramp, the bow moves back two or three inches. This is how I slide it firmly into the bow chock: On a level parking lot with the car and trailer moving forward very slowly (1 mph), tap the brakes sharply. This makes a lot of noise and you may think the boat is coming into the car with you, but it works. The keys to this maneuver are "very slowly" and "just a tap" on the brakes.
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