Trailer lighting board for a 26X

12 posts / 0 new

Thu, 29/04/2021 - 5:54pm

david.kirk

Evening all,

How do 26X users manage to rig the lights and reg plate for towing?

I have a West Mersea single axle trailer like many but it has no provision for holding a lighting board so I have to sling one to the back of the boat but this is not easy with rudders and an outboard in the way.

Is there better way?

—

David Kirk
26X Glissando
Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Thu, 29/04/2021 - 6:23pm

rick.jones

Hi David

That's the way I rigged the board when I had a 26X, I don't know of a better way.

I fitted a rope loop at each side of the board, lined up with the rudders, so the loops drop over the rudders and are tight when the board is far enough down to rest on the outboard. I found that arrangement quite stable and simple to fit and remove once the loops were pre-adjusted and fixed.

I had one of the older Xs where the rudders are vertical when raised. I'm not sure if it works as well on the later models where the rudders are still at an angle when raised.

—

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Thu, 29/04/2021 - 7:54pm

keith.barton

Hi David,

I do the same as Rick with the addition of 2 lengths of wood to keep the boards distance from the stern then cross brace with rope to stop it moving across. I also tie onto the outboard just to stop it rattling/rubbing on it.

I know that the max rear protrusion from the number plate is 18 inches or you need a warning triangle at the rearmost point and from the memory of being fined for excess overhang, if you are more than 36 inches you need the warning triangle and there must be 2 people in the tow vehicle.

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 10:23am

david.kirk

Thanks, Good ideas, I'll try

Thanks, Good ideas, I'll try and use them to improve upon my attempts so far.

keith.barton wrote: I know that the max rear protrusion from the number plate is 18 inches or you need a warning triangle at the rearmost point and from the memory of being fined for excess overhang, if you are more than 36 inches you need the warning triangle and there must be 2 people in the tow vehicle.

Would the Prop bag/cover count as a warning triangle? I haven't measured the overhang from lighting board to end of propeller but it looks like more than 18". I have no idea why having two people in the tow vehicle makes any difference? Towing rules require a degree or even a PHD to work out, sadly I'm at 'O' level grade.

—

David Kirk
26X Glissando
Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 11:03am

rick.jones

The farthest rear protrusion

The farthest rear protrusion is normally the mast, not the outboard. I have a small red bag I tie over the end, which when I checked the rules appeared to be legal (that was many years ago though!).

I think the reason for two people is that in these cases you are required to have a person on the ground to guide when reversing.

—

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 12:01pm

chris.hawksworth

You only need a proper marker

You only need a proper marker when the protrusion os over 2m, from 1m to 2m just requires it to be clearly marked as Rick does.

The following docs has lots of good info

https://www.rya.org.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/legal/Web%20Documents/Leg...

I think I need to look at my lights too, as they sit approx 900mm forward of the transom, and I probably should have fog light too

DSC_1820

—

'89 Macgregor 26D: Getaway

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 12:40pm

keith.barton

Thanks for the info Chris.

Thanks for the info Chris. The Law has certainly changed since I was fined back in the early 70's.

Rick, it's always difficult and time consuming to find accurate information. Just wondering if the link that Chris has referenced (https://www.rya.org.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/legal/Web%20Documents/Leg...

could be added to a Regulations & Info section & headed Trailer regulations under the Navigation menu? Just a thought.

Ann & Keith

Star M26

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 1:12pm

john.pompei

When I last had my trailer

When I last had my trailer serviced I was told that my LED lighting board which I had recently bought was not really wide enough apparently there is a regulation on how far the lights must be from the edge of the widest part of the load.

So far I've done nothing about it but I guess I'll have to before towing down to the Big Mac !

John

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 4:09pm

keith.barton

Details are in the spec that

Details are in the spec that Chris gave above

Fri, 30/04/2021 - 5:35pm

#10

rick.jones

A lot of useful info in that

A lot of useful info in that document from the RYA. Told me a few things I didn't realise as well!

There doesn't seem to be a rule about how far apart the rear lights are, but the reflectors must be no more than 40cm from the sides of the trailer (not the load, apparently!).
A fog lamp is mandatory (from 1980 onwards).
Forward facing white reflectors are required (1990 onwards). I don't have these, and I don't recall seeing them on other Mac trailers. Sticking one on each mudguard could be a good idea.
Anything projecting to the rear more than 1m beyond the lighting board must have its own light and reflector. This implies these should be attached to the end of the mast in a normal Mac towing configuration, but is also something I've never done or seen.

This shows how easy it is to fall foul of the regulations. I think the likely-hood of being pulled up on any of these is pretty low, the greater risk is probably a dispute with your insurance in the event of an accident.

—

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Sun, 12/09/2021 - 5:38pm

#11

quentin.sands