Looking to build a trailer

[dscribner]

We trailer our 25 footer all over. The trailer is a modified power boat trailer, I raised the roller assemblies to meet the hull. My keel is a shoal keel, so I have a good stable platform to start with, which you probably don't. But sure up and brace the stands, strap her down well and drive slowly. Make sure the pulpit is less than 12 feet. You'll do fine!

 

[mcurcio1989]

We trailer our 25 footer all over. The trailer is a modified power boat trailer, I raised the roller assemblies to meet the hull. My keel is a shoal keel, so I have a good stable platform to start with, which you probably don't. But sure up and brace the stands, strap her down well and drive slowly. Make sure the pulpit is less than 12 feet. You'll do fine!

Yeah After having the boat out of the water and on the trailer i have decided to abandon this plan. I am very confident in my design and fabrication but I am not confident in the trailer itself. It is such a huge liability if an axle or member were to fail it just isn;t worth the risk to me. I have decided to shorten the trailer to accommodate a 20ft. boat. Then I will be able to sell the trailer for what I paid and I can use the extra steel to build a rack and the local marine will lift and store it for $300.

It isn't what I hoped for but the last thing I would want to see is this boat laying on someones Honda in an intersection haha.

 

[Brian M H23]

You will be fine, just go slow. Why would you think that the trailer will fail? Is it that much of a piece? A tandem trailer should be rated for 7000 lb, far over what you're loading it with. People trailer big tall sailboats all the time - a J24 trailer looks scary too, but there are lots of them out there!
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/sailimg/m/15174/J24_Sail_no[1]._2592_001.jpg

As an aside, I was going to suggest using bolt-on torsion hubs with a removable crossmember behind the keel. This would allow the keel to sit another 4-8 inches lower.

 

[soling42]

Building a road worthy trailer for a sailboat(especially a keel boat) is no easy task. Glad you kept your pride in check and saved yourself a world of grief. Better luck on your next attempt. I'm sure you've learned a lot and have a whole new perspective about my previous input. Sailboats......now there's a money pit, eh? It's a sickness trying to go 6kts for "free".

Mike

 

[mcurcio1989]

Why would i think the trailer could fail - The suspension was bottomed out. Yeah not having suspension is hardly a problem. What scared me is that when a trailer is built the suspension is designed with the safe trailer able load in mind. If the suspension is bottomed out with it sitting their that means I'm pushing that load. My tires were each rated at 1500 lbs so i figured I was well below that. I am just not comfortable with the situation. I can build a rack for free and store it for 300. Should be able to make that back with a spring price as I am trying to sell the boat.

 

[Brian M H23]

Sorry, didn't see you mention the "bottomed out" suspension. Are the axles below or above the leaf springs? It might be a matter of just flipping them under the springs and replacing the U bolts.

I was just assuming you would have picked a base trailer that was rated to carry your load. Seems like a lot of work to have invested in too light of a trailer