Long Distance Travel

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Brian

I'm picking up my h-26 in Boise ID on May 5 and driving it home to MS. That is about 2k miles. The trailer, tires, bearings, brakes, lights, and boat are ready to travel. Any thoughts or suggestions on this journey will be helpful. I've towed boats long distances before and other things. One suggestions to me was to take the outboard off during towing(8.8hp). I did not see the need. It has a custom cover, but the owner suggested that I remove during towing due to rubbing the hull with the straps. I will try to attch. some pics with cover on.
 
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Bill

Theft

If for no other reason I would take the motor off to prevent theft on any overnight stop. Pretty easy pickings and you will be on your way the next day with or without the motor.
 
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Ron

Cover and Motor

I agree that theft could be a problem with the motor, even though it will trailer fine with motor in place. The double axle H26 trailer pulls nicely, but I too would question whether or not the cover will hold up very well with a lot of high speed driving. Guess you could try it and see. Also, don't forget to have a spare trailer tire and appropriate sized lug wrench - the normal single hole wrench on your tow vehicle may not work - I found that out the hard way. Check size of nuts to be sure. Good luck!
 
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Rick Webb

A Couple More Things

Make sure you have a jack that will fit under the axle with a flat tire, a couple of pieces of a 2X6 to place under the flat can help. For the shrouds and stays I get some of the packaging wrap and wrap the mast to keep the shrouds stays and halyards from whipping around in the wind. Have a good trip.
 
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Alan Long

If you are really paranoid

In additon to the stuff previously mentioned.... I carry a complete hub with bearings installed in it and a grease gun loaded with grease. A wrench big enough to remove the axle nut and pliers to remove the cotter pin. On my 23.5 trailer the brake drum/bearing assembly isn't very expensive and very reassuring to have. Every time I stop for a break I touch each of the hubs to see if any of them are getting excessively hot. Good Luck
 
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Jim Loats

And when you wrap the shrouds

with the tape, wrap it backwards, with the sticky side out. Then no stickum left on the shrouds when your done. Jim s/v Grizzly Bear
 
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Rick Webb

I Did Not Mean Tape

Though that would work the stuff I was talking about is the shrink wrap stuff (kinda like Saran Wrap) they have it at Office Max
 
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Dave Royce

Cover

If the cover is in good shape remove it. My 23.5 had a great cover, however when it was transported from California to Washington they left the cover on it, and the cover was totally destroyed by the wind while being towed, could not even salavage it. Sure wish I had now. Pack it up and let the boat handle the 55mph wind. Good Luck and have a SAFE trip.....
 
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Brian

Thanks to Everyone

The days are getting longer waiting on this trip. This will be our first sailboat to own. Thanks for all your ideas>
 
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Rick Webb

When It Is All Done

Post any thing that you learned on the trip. Let us know if we were full of crap or if our suggestions were of any help. I am about ready for a road trip myself, not if I must bring the kids though.
 
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Dan Busche

I am going the opposite way

Hi Brian, I just sold my H240 to a buyer in Iowa and bought a Hunter 27 in Iowa as well. I will be making a similar trip, just in reverse. From Utah to Iowa and back. And I will be towing a boat both ways. My old 240 there and the new 27 back. I am leaving next Friday, the 6th of April. If you like, I'll let you know how my trip went and take pictures as well. Good luck, Dan
 
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Ben Romano

Shift the weight to the tow vehicle

I think one of the primary reasons to take the motor off the stern is to shift weight towards the front. I put mine in the back of my Explorer, but I would think that just putting inside the cabin or cockpit (with a scrap of carpet underneath) would help some with excessive trailer bouning and braking. I move as much weight that I can to the tow vehicle if it can be done without too much work. I also remove my shrouds and standing rigging and put them in the back as well. Removal might take a little more time than wrapping, but I found it to be a little simpler and less worrisome.
 
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Jim Kolstoe

Spreader covers

Brian, although it may be a problem particular to the swept-back sreaders on our h23, my wife and I found that tying carpet scraps onto the spreaders prevents them from banging upthe cabin top during trailering, and protects them as well. Concerning the outboard, I favor putting it on a tarp in the v-berth area: to shift weight forward and to reduce the stress loading on the mount. If I had to contemplate parking over-night at a hotel, I would keep in mind that not everyone in this world is honest - so its best not to give a thief a temptation he or she won't want to resist. Lock it in your car or your boat. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
 
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Mark Burrows

Get rid of the wiggle

One reason we always removed the outboard for trailering was to shift the weight of the boat forward. If the tongue weight is too light, the trailer fishtails. We also removed the rudder for longer trips for the same reason. Mark
 
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