H23 Kens Welding Trailer

[Brian Conneely]

The bunks and base platform that the hull/keel rests on need to be replaced. I was able to cut out the existing pieces of wood and bolts but decided to consult the archives before finishing the project in an attempt to find some cool modifications to make the hauling/launching process a little easier. Some of the posts in the archives are good but what I really want to know is if someone has any specific details I could use to install a guide to enable to keel to sit in the center of the trailer as she is pulled out of the water. I know that this topic has been covered in the past but I havn't had any luck locating the good juicy info that I'm looking for. Any info and suggestions will be a great help. Thanks in advance for any imput...Brian Conneelyh23 kickin' back

 

[chuck]

H23 Keel Guide

Brian,I tackled the bunk replacement of My H23 last year and built a keel guide suggested in the archives. It consisted of two treated 2X4 sections that I bolted on to the bunk in the form of a 'V'. I tried it this past haul out and it worked great.Good Luck!ChuckS/V Windsongs

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

just a tip

Make sure the tip goes out wide and then small. If you have the guides going parallel to the bunk boards, the wings on the keel will catch. You may want to also install upright guide ons on the trailer too. With both, it really guides the boat onto the trailer. Check your bearings. Suggest that you pull them and check the bearings and racers if this has never been done. Crazy Dave Condon

 

[B. Leathen - bleathen@aol.com]

Trailer and Bearings

The previous owner rigged my trailer with a v shaped pipe with hinges on the back of the trailer. In the front of the V we can clip a float that will lift the front of the V upward to catch the keel. Even with that, the wing has caught the pipe and bent it some, but it still works. If you are interested, send an email to bleathen@aol.com and I will send you a picture. (I may try to load one on this website, but am not sure how to do that.)Crazy Dave is right. Check the bearings. Of course, I could hear mine when I launched this spring, so I knew it was time to do something. Fortunatly it is only 5 miles to the launch ramp. When I pulled them, the inner race was gone. Along with new bearings, I installed "bearing buddies". Has anyone used these? Is the investment worth it? Good luck.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

B. Leathern

Good item to have. Make sure you keep those puppies greased. For those who do alot of trailering, take along a small grease gun with you at all times.Crazy Dave Condon

 

[brian]

thanks for the replies

I pulled the boat out of the water for the first time this past weekend. All was working fine until greater problems arose. The keel landed smack in the middle of the lower bunk, but was about a foot short of resting all the way foreward. As I winched up the last foot I busted the weld at the base of the bar that extends upward from the trailer and attatches to the winch...(palpitations ran high to say the least about that) now she sits on the trailer with almost no tongue weight and blocks under the rear bars to prevent tipping upwards. My plan of attack from this point is to have the marina pull her off the trailer and set on jack stands, the trailer is then freed up to head over to the welder and check for other weak points that may fail in the future. Anyway, other ideas and comments are certainly welcome...as if it hasn't been figured out yet this is my first year with the h23. I had a great season and good fun rebuilding kickin' back and sailing her, now I am looking foreward to taking my time and fine tuning all that needs adjustment.Brian ConneelyKickin' Back h23