I recently loaded my 23 hunter onto it's trailer for the first time. Following someones advice I floated the boat up, not all the way, then winched it up the rest of the way, not an easy feat. With the the boat resting on the keel, the bow would not sit down into the rollers. In fact, I don't see how it could possibly do so. The front bow support made decent contact but I fell the package is not to stable without contact with the rollers. How do I fix this? Tommy B
Maiden voyage out of water
- Thread starter Tommy B.
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adjust the rollers
the rollers and bunks on my 23 trailer were adjustable I repositioned them to fit the boat.
the rollers and bunks on my 23 trailer were adjustable I repositioned them to fit the boat.
Maiden voyage on the hard
Tom, We sailed a 22 footer for years, no mater what you adjust, the trailer goes down the ramp at less than level, the boat stays level, any adjustments will simply push the boat to the rear of the trailer, adjust the boat's position for the needed tonge weight and, when retrieving, if all the bunks are wet, you can head the boat and trailer downhill and "set" the boat where you want it with the winch. Good luck and fair winds. Ron
Tom, We sailed a 22 footer for years, no mater what you adjust, the trailer goes down the ramp at less than level, the boat stays level, any adjustments will simply push the boat to the rear of the trailer, adjust the boat's position for the needed tonge weight and, when retrieving, if all the bunks are wet, you can head the boat and trailer downhill and "set" the boat where you want it with the winch. Good luck and fair winds. Ron
The does not touch the boat
The roller is for when the boat is put in the water so it will not hit then launched. When the boat is sitting on the trailer and not in the water the roller will be about 4 inches from the bottom of the V. Adjust the bunks so most of the weight is on the keel and the bunks keep the boat steady but have only about 10-15% of the weight, each. Check the achives for trailer pics and you will see what I mean. This is only for the Kens Trailer which came with the boat. Other trailer makers might be different. Mark 1986 H23 S/V Wendy Lee
The roller is for when the boat is put in the water so it will not hit then launched. When the boat is sitting on the trailer and not in the water the roller will be about 4 inches from the bottom of the V. Adjust the bunks so most of the weight is on the keel and the bunks keep the boat steady but have only about 10-15% of the weight, each. Check the achives for trailer pics and you will see what I mean. This is only for the Kens Trailer which came with the boat. Other trailer makers might be different. Mark 1986 H23 S/V Wendy Lee
Sailboats are not designed to be...
winched on to the trailer, they are best floated unto the bunks. Lower the trailer so that the boat's bow will float up to the bow stop. having guides at the rear of the trailerl or keel guides will help the boat line up. In order to be able to back the trailer enough a tongue extension may be needed and of course a long enough ramp.
winched on to the trailer, they are best floated unto the bunks. Lower the trailer so that the boat's bow will float up to the bow stop. having guides at the rear of the trailerl or keel guides will help the boat line up. In order to be able to back the trailer enough a tongue extension may be needed and of course a long enough ramp.
Trailer ramps
Benny, not all launching ramps allow you to float the boat from a level trailer. Many aren't steep enough to get the bow up to the trailer post while floating either. There are plastic "skid plates" that fasten to the flat hull-side of the bunks that allow the hull to slide much better than on the typical outdoor-like carpet many are covered with. A set of "keel guides" to align the keel on the centerline also help get the boat on straight.
Benny, not all launching ramps allow you to float the boat from a level trailer. Many aren't steep enough to get the bow up to the trailer post while floating either. There are plastic "skid plates" that fasten to the flat hull-side of the bunks that allow the hull to slide much better than on the typical outdoor-like carpet many are covered with. A set of "keel guides" to align the keel on the centerline also help get the boat on straight.
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