I have posted a few photos on my page illustrating my latest attempt to improve trailering. It worked well the first time out.
1986 Hunter 23 trailer modification
- Thread starter Mark Major
- Start date
- Status
what are they made of and how did you secure them? what does the bachside of them look like? Looks VERY helpful
Those boards should center it on the trailer quit well. On my C22, the keel would be outside the guide if I were off a bit...
More illustrations are available by clicking on my name and going to my photo albums, one of which with the same title. This is made of 19/32" AB plywood, glue and screws, painted with Rustoleum oil base. The surface the keel slides against toward center is covered with plastic salvaged from a 55 gallon drum. The design can be modified of course; this evolved as I was going along and was done with a half sheet of plywood plus scrap. Essentially it incorporates the idea that once the boat is drawn to the winch as you haul the trailer out the trailer comes upward engaging the keel to center.
Improvement, if necessary, would be to through bolt it at three points and fill the voids in construction with concrete. Or numerous sections of the barrel material could be sandwiched with surface slightly higher than the wood edge. This is a minimal construction and if it needs reinforcing I will make modifications. I thought I'd throw it out there and take suggestions.
Interesting idea
It looks functionally similar to the solution I developed for my h23 trailer. I bolted a length of 2x8 onto each bunk slanted down to the keel board immediately forward of the wings to make the keel slide down to the center of the trailer. Yours is nicer looking. The only drawback is that it does not work until the trailer to high enough for the keel to be trapped between the bunks - I once had the keel settle down on one of the bunks as I pulled the trailer and boat out of the water. I put it back into the water real fast!
It looks like you've added something to support the outboard on the front of the trailer. Could you show/discuss that modification?
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
It looks functionally similar to the solution I developed for my h23 trailer. I bolted a length of 2x8 onto each bunk slanted down to the keel board immediately forward of the wings to make the keel slide down to the center of the trailer. Yours is nicer looking. The only drawback is that it does not work until the trailer to high enough for the keel to be trapped between the bunks - I once had the keel settle down on one of the bunks as I pulled the trailer and boat out of the water. I put it back into the water real fast!
It looks like you've added something to support the outboard on the front of the trailer. Could you show/discuss that modification?
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Jim, I've been using my version of your idea for years, and it's worked very well. I used (non pressure treated) 2x4 guides, though, and after breaking another (with the help of termites) in the manner you described I undertook this experiment. If this doesn't prove itself I'll go back to your version (with treated lumber of your suggested dimensions).
My motor is a 2 cycle Tohatsu which weighs 98 lbs. I simply put a piece of wood filler in the channel (cut to exact fit) and clamped the motor to it so now the wood stays without fasteners. The lower unit goes forward and rests on the diagonal channel which is wrapped with some scrap line to prevent abrasion.
Attached are photos of my old system- again, not to your specifications so somewhat flawed. The forward block was plywood layered and cut to the forward keel dimensions. It was ok for centering but sometimes the front edge of the keel would land on it instead of within it, so led to my current idea. Further, it prevented changing weight distribution on the trailer. I'm thinking of moving my winch mast and guide up a couple of inches for just a bit more tongue weight (the balance is off when I am fully loaded for cruising- I have a 15 gallon water tank in the lazaret).
Attachments
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2121072060101866121MfKQjN
Nearly finished with a trailer for my Chrysler C-22 I could buy a nice tow vehicle for a cost of a slip and I wouldn't mind being able to Lake/costal hop
Nearly finished with a trailer for my Chrysler C-22 I could buy a nice tow vehicle for a cost of a slip and I wouldn't mind being able to Lake/costal hop
Or rent a tow vehicle when needed
Renting a slip worked for me when I was starting out, and offered more opportunities to get out, but I found it a bit restrictive after a while, even on the Gulf. Trailering offers so much more adventure, but in itself presents challenges. I've rigged/launched/retrieved in one day, once. Since opting for trailering I prefer to plan at least two nights on the water to offset all the work involved. I find the trailer to be almost as much a project as the boat, at times.
- Status