I'm interested in getting a C-27 for cruising. How easy is it to step the mast on a C-27 for trailering? Any advise will be appreciated. Lance
Catalina 27 Trailering
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Steve O.
not easy
The C-27 isn't really a trailer boat. I'm sure someone has done it, but with a full keel and its weight, you would need a large towing vehicle.
The C-27 isn't really a trailer boat. I'm sure someone has done it, but with a full keel and its weight, you would need a large towing vehicle.
C-27 Trailering
What do you consider a large tow vehicle? There is a local C-27 that is pulled by a Ford F-150. However, I didn't see him with a stepped mast.
What do you consider a large tow vehicle? There is a local C-27 that is pulled by a Ford F-150. However, I didn't see him with a stepped mast.
Trailering
When I worked for a Catalina dealership, I regularly trailered boats up to the C34 behind an F350 on the interstate. These boats were on a cradle strapped to a HUGE (and I do mean HUGE) hydraulic lifting trailer. I imagine a smaller/lighter trailer could be used for a C27. You could probably pull the boat w/ an F150, but I wouldn't do it often or for very far. Go REAL SLOW with your flashers on. Stop after the first 5 or 10 miles and re-tension EVERY tie-down. Make sure nothing has shifted. Check again after 20 - 30 miles, or vehicle/trailer bouncing bumps. (Ask me sometime about the boat that slipped off the hydro-trailer. Grrr...) I used to do the dealer prep on the C22's and C25's. Two people (young healthy 20 yr old guys) could step the tall rig on the C25 w/o any mechanical assistance. Don't know how the C27 mast would compare. Just be aware that stepping and de-stepping even a small mast can be a seriously dangerous venture. My mother and her friend were stepping the mast on a Hobie 16, when the mast base jumped out of the step and caught her friend in the teeth. He had to get some new bridgework done as a result. Could have easily killed him. From that point on he wouldn't go anywhere near that boat. Can't say's I blame him.
When I worked for a Catalina dealership, I regularly trailered boats up to the C34 behind an F350 on the interstate. These boats were on a cradle strapped to a HUGE (and I do mean HUGE) hydraulic lifting trailer. I imagine a smaller/lighter trailer could be used for a C27. You could probably pull the boat w/ an F150, but I wouldn't do it often or for very far. Go REAL SLOW with your flashers on. Stop after the first 5 or 10 miles and re-tension EVERY tie-down. Make sure nothing has shifted. Check again after 20 - 30 miles, or vehicle/trailer bouncing bumps. (Ask me sometime about the boat that slipped off the hydro-trailer. Grrr...) I used to do the dealer prep on the C22's and C25's. Two people (young healthy 20 yr old guys) could step the tall rig on the C25 w/o any mechanical assistance. Don't know how the C27 mast would compare. Just be aware that stepping and de-stepping even a small mast can be a seriously dangerous venture. My mother and her friend were stepping the mast on a Hobie 16, when the mast base jumped out of the step and caught her friend in the teeth. He had to get some new bridgework done as a result. Could have easily killed him. From that point on he wouldn't go anywhere near that boat. Can't say's I blame him.
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Tim Welsh
Not very trailer friendly
The cat 27 isn't very easy to set on the trailer and you will have to use either a crane. a big oak tree or put the boat inbetween two other boats to step and destep the mast. I'm going to lower the mast on a catalina 27 this weekend and will move the boat inbetween two boats to take it down.....Tim Welsh Hunter 34 S/V Cabo Wabo
The cat 27 isn't very easy to set on the trailer and you will have to use either a crane. a big oak tree or put the boat inbetween two other boats to step and destep the mast. I'm going to lower the mast on a catalina 27 this weekend and will move the boat inbetween two boats to take it down.....Tim Welsh Hunter 34 S/V Cabo Wabo
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Echo Gulf
Not too diffacult
We have trailered our C27 for the last 7 years, including trips that cover several thousand miles. With a well designed trailer and an adequate tow vehicle (rated to tow at least 9000 lbs) maintaining normal highway speeds is not unusual. Launch or recovery (from the trailer without a crane or travel lift) takes about an hour with the right equipment available. The mast stepping/unstepping is probably the most critical step, we've used cranes, mast poles, and travel-lifts, as long as the process is well thought out and you have control of the mast throughout it should become routine after several evolutions. At one time the plans for a wood bi-pod arrangement were available on the net. It looked like an ideal system that was easy to use and inexpensive, I suggest researching it further. Our trailer was designed with the assistance of several structural engineers, it is as light as possible (without going to exotic materials) and strong enough to hold a C30. The combined weight of boat and trailer sits at about 9000lbs, this I think, is the minimum weight you should plan on. Our tow vehicle is a Chev 3500 (dually) with diesel engine, I would not recommend anything less than a 3/4 ton truck with towing package. Best of luck EG
We have trailered our C27 for the last 7 years, including trips that cover several thousand miles. With a well designed trailer and an adequate tow vehicle (rated to tow at least 9000 lbs) maintaining normal highway speeds is not unusual. Launch or recovery (from the trailer without a crane or travel lift) takes about an hour with the right equipment available. The mast stepping/unstepping is probably the most critical step, we've used cranes, mast poles, and travel-lifts, as long as the process is well thought out and you have control of the mast throughout it should become routine after several evolutions. At one time the plans for a wood bi-pod arrangement were available on the net. It looked like an ideal system that was easy to use and inexpensive, I suggest researching it further. Our trailer was designed with the assistance of several structural engineers, it is as light as possible (without going to exotic materials) and strong enough to hold a C30. The combined weight of boat and trailer sits at about 9000lbs, this I think, is the minimum weight you should plan on. Our tow vehicle is a Chev 3500 (dually) with diesel engine, I would not recommend anything less than a 3/4 ton truck with towing package. Best of luck EG
notan easy job
I did a lot of research and asked a lot of questions before I decided that my 3/4 ton G20 Chevy could handle my Hunter 25.5 with shoal keel. I looked for a long time to find a hitch that could handle 6000lb tow. I would not use a F150 to tow this. I now use a GMC 2500 with a 10,000lb hitch to tow this 6000lb boat. I have designed a mast lifting mechanisem and with the used of tackle it can be accomplished. I am 5' 4" and so is my wife and between us we can erect its mast in 45 minuites. On a windy (15kts)day it could be a dangerous job. We are getting good at it and are able to put it up farely quickly. After erecting the mast and securing, you still have to put up the boom and all the pins and ropes that go with it and install the main sail. Then it is time for the jib. The hole job takes about 2 hours. I would not try this with a 27' boat. The fact that they are on a trailer does not mean that it is trailerable. Good luck have fun and be safe.
I did a lot of research and asked a lot of questions before I decided that my 3/4 ton G20 Chevy could handle my Hunter 25.5 with shoal keel. I looked for a long time to find a hitch that could handle 6000lb tow. I would not use a F150 to tow this. I now use a GMC 2500 with a 10,000lb hitch to tow this 6000lb boat. I have designed a mast lifting mechanisem and with the used of tackle it can be accomplished. I am 5' 4" and so is my wife and between us we can erect its mast in 45 minuites. On a windy (15kts)day it could be a dangerous job. We are getting good at it and are able to put it up farely quickly. After erecting the mast and securing, you still have to put up the boom and all the pins and ropes that go with it and install the main sail. Then it is time for the jib. The hole job takes about 2 hours. I would not try this with a 27' boat. The fact that they are on a trailer does not mean that it is trailerable. Good luck have fun and be safe.
F150...
...you have to be kidding! As noted above, plan on 9,000 pounds of tow weight. I'm sure lots of half ton pick ups could pull it...but not be able to stop it, or be legal...you could void your insurance by pulling more than the truck is listed as being rated to pull.
...you have to be kidding! As noted above, plan on 9,000 pounds of tow weight. I'm sure lots of half ton pick ups could pull it...but not be able to stop it, or be legal...you could void your insurance by pulling more than the truck is listed as being rated to pull.
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Dan B
I have done it don't plan on doing it anytime soon
I have an F150 and wouldn't think of pulling my C-27 behind it. I had a friend who has an F-350 and it did just fine. He was a bit worried at pulling and he pulls a 35' RV every weekend. On my trailer the boat seems to be very 'wobbly'. It should have been a 40 minute trip from the storage yard to the marina and we took an hour and a half beacuse we would stop and check the straps -- and we only went about 45 miles and hour. As far as the mast stepping -- have desteped once and resteped once. I would not want to do that 1) without a crane or a gin pole and 2) don a windy day. Even with a crane (we had a sign erector come with a boom truck) it still seems dangerous. Remember it is a 35 foot stick! Dan B Alton IL 1973 C 27 "Sotto voce" Std rig Dinette
I have an F150 and wouldn't think of pulling my C-27 behind it. I had a friend who has an F-350 and it did just fine. He was a bit worried at pulling and he pulls a 35' RV every weekend. On my trailer the boat seems to be very 'wobbly'. It should have been a 40 minute trip from the storage yard to the marina and we took an hour and a half beacuse we would stop and check the straps -- and we only went about 45 miles and hour. As far as the mast stepping -- have desteped once and resteped once. I would not want to do that 1) without a crane or a gin pole and 2) don a windy day. Even with a crane (we had a sign erector come with a boom truck) it still seems dangerous. Remember it is a 35 foot stick! Dan B Alton IL 1973 C 27 "Sotto voce" Std rig Dinette
towing
i have a 26' mac and towed it about 300 miles when i bought it with our trail blazer. the weight capicity was about half ( 3500 lbs) the truck was rated for 5000 lb. it was the scariest ride i have been on. At some point you need some size on your truck and can't just go by the rated weight. since then i bought a yokon and it does the job great
i have a 26' mac and towed it about 300 miles when i bought it with our trail blazer. the weight capicity was about half ( 3500 lbs) the truck was rated for 5000 lb. it was the scariest ride i have been on. At some point you need some size on your truck and can't just go by the rated weight. since then i bought a yokon and it does the job great
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