Loading on the trailer in high wind

[Meriachee]

Chief, The keel guides need to be complimented by a keel stop, which needs to be able to do three things,
stop the forward movement
adjust to the angle of the keel as the trailer moves forward
help the boat settle into the proper position, fore/aft, and side/side

Most people think (and I'm not being accusational at all here) that the winch is the best stop. It's not. The point of rotation between the boat and the trailer is at the lowest, most forward point of the keel.

The Mac guys (and I was one, once) know that the position of the boat on the trailer can easily be adjusted forward into the proper position after the water drains, with a slight tap of the brakes. I wouldn't even consider that with 7000 lbs of Catalina back there.
Here's a shot of the assembly on the trailer. The keel stop has a bolt (pin) that allows it to rotate, such that it matches the angle of the keel as it floats onto the trailer. The thing can swivel 50 degrees, far in excess of what the angle of the trailer would be. The guides prevent the keel from moving side to side, and are high enough that there is always clearance for the fins. The winch strap is marked, so that it is not cranked in too far as is the case when the trailer is at an angle.
The boat could drag the trailer sideways in a blow, but it will still maintain it's relative position to the boat, since the boat is being held in 4 planes (fore/aft, side/side)
The keel guide rotates as the trailer comes out of the water, effectively following the pivot point, and forcing the keel (and thus the boat) into the right spot.

This was all theory until this fall, when the boat was floated onto the trailer (in a pretty good wind I might add) and with the exception of the guides being too far apart, the boat settled within an inch of where it should be.

It can be done, done safely, and more importantly, reliably. That opens a door to easy access to far away places.

Cheers
Gary

 

[Chief RA]

Gary: Thanks for your input on this. I have everything you do on my trailer with the exception of the keel stop. Getting the boat up too far has never been a problem, in fact, it has been the opposite. I am also aqutely aware that hauling on the bow eye is definitely not wise. One of the things we had a problem with was even though we were lined up for/aft and port/stbd the winds were so high that it took 4 trys to get it to sit level laterally since the boat was leaned over. We finally overcentered on one side so it would settle back on the opposite side to be balanced.
No matter what, we pay for the privilege of having big trailerables, huh? Anyone who thinks a C250 wing is a trailerable weekender is probably slightly retarded! ha

Thanks again, Chief

 

[Sumner]

Chief, The keel guides need to be complimented by a keel stop, which needs to be able to do three things,
stop the forward movement
adjust to the angle of the keel as the trailer moves forward
help the boat settle into the proper position, fore/aft, and side/side.....Gary

That is really nice work :dance:,

Sumner

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[Chief RA]

Mariachee: What is the true length of your 27? My 250 is 26'11"' so mines a 27! Chief

 

[Meriachee]

Sumner, thanks. A bunch of the mods, and a couple of failures are chronicled on the blog listed below. There's pictures.
http://meriachee.wordpress.com/

Chief, sailboat data lists it as 27. I never actually measured it. The waterline length is what matters anyway, the guys with the 28mkii's are only 6" longer, but 1000 lbs heavier. Funny how tacking duels never go in their favour. Y'd think they'd learn.

Actually, the keel stop needs one addition. The sides need to flare out and back a tiny bit, maybe a foot, so the keel gets guided into it, in the vertical plane. With the other 4 variables addressed, this will ensure that the whole works settles up/down at the same time.

Cheers
Gary

 

[Chief RA]

Mariachee: As you know sailboat data lists mine as 25' but my book says 26'11". I also measured it and that is accurate. With my solarsystem its total length is 28'2". I have the tall mastand it is 32' as well. There seems to be numerous errors on my boat data in the sailboat data. Later, Chief

 

[MrBill_FLL]

my years of power boating, helped me turn my trailer into a 'float-on' style.

The pvc pipe helps guide the boat to the center and also protect the hull from the metal.

the goal posts at the rear help keep the stern square to the trailer.

cut a slot lengthwise and slipped it over the trailer rail.

-I've been doing this on all my trailer for 20+ years. really speeds things up a the ramp.

 

[Meriachee]

I'm not sure if I should measure it with the "probe" installed or not. :dance:
Cheers
Gary

 

[Chief RA]

Merachee: Is that for breeding purposes? :dance: Chief

 

[Meriachee]

Nope. It's the much larger version of the tool the doctor uses.

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

My ancient trailer - with 15'' wheels no less, is too heavy to be pushed sideways, but has no extension. This means that to float the boat on or off my rear bumper is in the water. I generally dock on the port side,The current is usually running south; winds blowing north; boat facing west... Can be interesting if the winds are gusting and I'm already up to my shoulders in water..

 

[Chief RA]

OR2001: maybe too heavy for your boat to move sideways but not to heavy for my wing keel to move it sideways! My trailer weighs 1 ton! Make up a 7' extension for your truck hitch reciever. I use one plus a trailer extension as well. The 7'er should keep your truck out of the water. Chief

 

[Meriachee]

Here's the disclaimer: The attached picture has nothing at all to do with loading of trailers in high winds. It's our MacGregor 26c, shot in Selby Cove at Provost Island some few years ago.
The next picture I post of Selby Cove will be the 270, and that will be next summer.
Just looking at pictures this morning, listening to the furnace running non stop and getting ready to go support our troops.
Remember to have a moment of reflection this morning folks.
Cheers
Gary

 

[Chief RA]

Thanks Mariachee! Chief,CW3 US Army ret.

 

[Daveinet]

I built keel guides for my previous boat. You should have seen the guy at Lowes when I asked for the most warped pressure treated 2X4s he had. Found 2 boards that were really warped out towards the end. That gave me a really nice Y entrance for the keel.