Got a co-worker interested in sailing after he has helped me play with my H-23. He bought a 24 foot sailboat off e-bay (fantastic deal) but its not a Hunter (his mistake). The problem is the boat is in a cradle and on a car hauling trailer and is 5 hours away in western Michigan. He wants me to tow it back for him and to go over the boat. Is this a safe and/or legal way to tow a boat? Beam is only 8 feet, so that part is legal. From the pictures I have seen, the cradle leaves a bit to be desired. Money is extremely tight, so please take that into consideration. Thanks... Randy Simmons "Munchkin"
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Ebay Link Show Cradle?
If Ebay shows pictures of the boat in the cradle maybe you could provide a link. Or, if the current owner has a digital camera could they take a picture of the rig, E-mail it to you, and you could post it? Then we could see better what the situation is. When a boat is out of the water and supported with jack stands a good place to spot them is at the bulkheads or anywhere there is structural support in the boat. The mast and boom sould be protected from chafe otherwise they can loose some of the anodized coating. If there is an outboard it should be removed and put in the tow rig. The tow rig should have the appropriate combined GVW rating. This will probably be a heavy half-ton or 3/4 ton rig. And one important thing - if the place where the boat will be put in the water is free of Zebra Mussels then the boat and anything that goes in the water, outboard included, should be sterilized of those critters. And probably even before the rig enters the watershed. Check with the local county environmental department.
If Ebay shows pictures of the boat in the cradle maybe you could provide a link. Or, if the current owner has a digital camera could they take a picture of the rig, E-mail it to you, and you could post it? Then we could see better what the situation is. When a boat is out of the water and supported with jack stands a good place to spot them is at the bulkheads or anywhere there is structural support in the boat. The mast and boom sould be protected from chafe otherwise they can loose some of the anodized coating. If there is an outboard it should be removed and put in the tow rig. The tow rig should have the appropriate combined GVW rating. This will probably be a heavy half-ton or 3/4 ton rig. And one important thing - if the place where the boat will be put in the water is free of Zebra Mussels then the boat and anything that goes in the water, outboard included, should be sterilized of those critters. And probably even before the rig enters the watershed. Check with the local county environmental department.
my 2 cents
Of course you'll wanna go over the boat before even towing it home. Also use heavy ratcheting straps to tie the boat to the trailer before moving it. I do this even on my boat trailer. You might need to beef up the cradle before moving it. Talk to the previous owner about how much towing he did with it and how. Should be interesting when it comes to launching. Good Luck!
Of course you'll wanna go over the boat before even towing it home. Also use heavy ratcheting straps to tie the boat to the trailer before moving it. I do this even on my boat trailer. You might need to beef up the cradle before moving it. Talk to the previous owner about how much towing he did with it and how. Should be interesting when it comes to launching. Good Luck!
more info
The boat is an Islander 24 and it is on a home-made wooden cradle which we will "beef up". The cradle is on flatbed car hauling trailer. Pevious owner is willing to sell the trailer also (or else let us use it to get the boat home). I know heavy duty straps are a must, I just wanted to know if this was legal and safe (basically if anyone else has ever done this). The boat displaces 3500#, so my truck's tow rating is fine. The boat has a large keel and the load will be top heavy though. Thanks, Randy Simmons H23 "Munchkin"
The boat is an Islander 24 and it is on a home-made wooden cradle which we will "beef up". The cradle is on flatbed car hauling trailer. Pevious owner is willing to sell the trailer also (or else let us use it to get the boat home). I know heavy duty straps are a must, I just wanted to know if this was legal and safe (basically if anyone else has ever done this). The boat displaces 3500#, so my truck's tow rating is fine. The boat has a large keel and the load will be top heavy though. Thanks, Randy Simmons H23 "Munchkin"
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