Trailering Madison

I cut up some pool noodles and used those to support the spars and mast for our recent road trip.

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I pulled the boat 100 miles and road like a dream, I bought this Magic Tilt jetski trailer on Craigslist, the bunks fit great and the boat rides low and secure. I used a boat strap across the middle, near the daggerboard well and lines on the bow and stern to keep the boat from sliding left/right and fore aft. Plus there is a winch and strap on the front, but I don't tighten the hook too tight on the bow handle. Howie's tip is to support the boat and tie it down where fiberglass meets fiberglass, examples being by the mast step, the daggerboard well and by around the cockpit.

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I forgot to secure the boom block, so it rattled on the deck a bit. The aluminum marred the wax and gelcoat a bit, but it will polish out.

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I had one trailer light not cooperate, it may have been "waterproof" but it was not corrosion proof. I bought replacement light, here's the old and new.

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The new light has 3 slots on the back for 2 mounting screws. I put the screws in the wrong slots first, they didn't line up and after a few choice words I realized that there was a third slot...ooops!

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I wire brushed the frame where the ground wire attaches.

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I stripped the wires with a special tool

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Then crimped the ends into a wire splice. Match the colors! Another option is to solder.

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Leave the excess wire and store it inside the frame or zip tie it, that way you have extra to work with if you have to do some repairs. I learned today that wiring harnesses only last 2-4 years near the saltwater, and the main problem for lights that don't work is blown fuses, followed by faulty grounds.

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Ralph Lauren Photo Shoot Seaside, Florida

We got a strange phone call about ten days ago asking if we still had our Sunfish Ray that was listed on Craigslist. I let the caller know we had just sold her, but we had another boat that would be ready for sale soon, and asked what she was looking for. The caller, Jennifer, said she actually needed a Sunfish with a sail that had the blue and green panels for a Ralph Lauren photo shoot. I told her as luck would have it, we just picked up a new sail that day that would work, plus we had other colors as well. I sent her some pictures and the dates were set to bring out Madison for the shoot.

5 Feb I got Madison ready to roll Tuesday night.

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And we hit the road early Wednesday morning.

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Found the base camp and got the trailer parked. This was a big deal because Seaside had to approve it for the shoot. Seaside Florida is where The Truman Show was filmed.

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I brought a Seitech dolly because I had reconned the area and knew we would need it. The dolly is cool for several reasons, but in this case because it comes apart easily. I threw in the rudder and daggerboard and my other Sunfish road trip logistical gear. The stow and go seats in the Grand Caravan make it easy to put this gear in and still have seats for four. And the trailer pulled great, I had to look back a few times to see if the trailer was still there.

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Wandered around Seaside a bit, they have a nice town square and cool houses

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The crew moved Madison onto the dolly and there was a short parade down West Ruskin, 30A, through the pavilion and down the beach to the shoot location. Let me throw in here that the crew was awesome and very courteous, fun to watch professionals.

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I rigged Madison and took a few pics while the crew was moving down to the beach.

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Here is Madison photo bombing the shoot.

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I'll have a few pics of Madison with the models once they are released, but til then, here is Madison resting after her hard day at the beach.

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Here is the crew posing for their end of day photo. I'd like to thank them again for an enjoyable day and for sharing their creative spirit.

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Madison made some friends, good to have when you have to go back UP the dune!

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Many thanks Ralph Lauren and Seaside for a fun day. Next time leave some room on the production schedule for sailboat rides!