Need help :(

Joe11688

Joe11688

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Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
I think that you're going to need to build your own bunk extension brackets because good brackets are nowhere to be found. I was very fortunate to buy some 24" bunk extension brackets for my 23' Long powerboat trailer. I'm certain that Long manufactured them back then. Unfortunately, Long Mfg folded up shortly after I bought my trailer.
All you really need is a couple of sandwiched planks for the keel to sit on and these extension brackets and you can convert a powerboat trailer into a sailboat trailer.
The Dealer at Walmsley Marine told me that I need a trailer that will take a boat at least one foot longer than my boat and I should be able to float the boat on and off the trailer. He was right.
Rollers are OK if you plan on doing a lot of trailering otherwise I'd opt for the flat bunks. My boat came with a Load-Rite roller trailer and it started to nickel and dime me to death as it got older. Whereas I have a club mooring, I really don't need a roller trailer.
The extension brackets on my trailer are the best I've ever seen on the market. I wish that they were still available. You wouldn't believe the short time it took me to adjust that trailer with the boat on it. I used a couple of my sailboat stands and two jacks. Here's some pics of my trailer. Check it out.
http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=2726

I only wish that some manufacturer out there would start producing these extension brackets. They would sell like hot cakes. Hint, hint!!!
 
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ssamac

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Jan 5, 2014
18
Catalina Catalina 22 Fort Madison, IA
Funny Brad. I think we all had this experience at least once and learned why you keep the trailer attached to the ball. Tandem trailers are so nice like that too, aren't they

bunks spread the weight of the boat evenly over the hull. We've all seen boats where the rollers have indented the hull and at times cracked it. Especially if poorly placed.
Also, boat has a lot less chance to slide on the bunks but those rollers promote moving and that's a real problem.

I have a further thing about bunks. When I paint the bottom I do it on the trailer. I have an extra bunk (2x6 carpeted same length as the others) after I paint the bottom and it dries I take the extra bunk and 2 jacks and lift the boat on one side a couple of inches and paint the spot under the bunk that I could not paint when it was sitting on the bunk. Once dry, I move it to the other side and do the same. Simple. Once I did it with a trailer with rollers and the rollers really pressed into and puckered the hull. I didn't like it one bit and stopped right there when I heard that popping sound.
Not a lover of rollers for a sailboat. Motor boat different story.

ssamac
 
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ssamac

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Jan 5, 2014
18
Catalina Catalina 22 Fort Madison, IA
Thanks for sharing. Lots of nice toys!
I like the trailer. Seems like it was for powerboats but great setup
How would you support the swing keel on that trailer? I find that with sailboats, unless the keel swings up flush, it's nice to have a keel guide which makes loading so much easier. Get it right in the guide and just pull her up.
ssamac
 
SwitchintoglideIII

SwitchintoglideIII

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Feb 11, 2012
271
C&C Mega 30 Long Point, Lake Erie
We have a retractable cast iron keel....it is supported two ways. Inside it is bolted through both compression posts, fore and aft. Outside (underneath) we add support to the keel with a 4000lb ratchet strap under the belly of the keel to the port and starboard frame rails. We do use this trailer for our 8000 lb cabin cruiser as well.... not many can say they have a dual purpose trailer for a sailboat and powerboat in the 30' category. Paul
 
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ssamac

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Jan 5, 2014
18
Catalina Catalina 22 Fort Madison, IA
Those are great trailers made for that boat. Why mess with it? I know lots of OD 25 owners who use that trailer. No issues at all.
 
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