Now I've gone and done it...

[SeaTR]

Well, it's the end of another sailing season here in southern NE for me, and time to haul out the boat (1981 H22 swing keel). On the way home with boat on the trailer I notice a billowing cloud of smoke around the right wheel. This trailer is an original (Magic Tilt, single axle) and I'm the 4th owner. Pulling over to a side street, I see the right wheel suddenly and magically "tilts" inward. I wondered if THIS is what is meant by a "Magic Tilt" trailer.. naahhh, couldn't be. :-}

Upon further inspection, yes you may have guessed it, the axle failed... right under the leaf spring u-bolts area. It had rusted through inside to out. I kept up with visible rust control & painting, and the trailer only saw salt water 2x / year: launch and haul out. I have yet to take any long trips with it, and am content to sail on Long Island, Fishers Is, and Block Is sounds. Saying something like 'OMG' comes to mind now, but what I ACTUALLY said, I'll leave to your imagination. And to think that I was only ~200 yards from my street... Home sweet home was beckoning to me and my now lame trailer.

Finally the POINT of this thread: As this trailer is the OEM, I'm leaning towards not repairing or replacing the axle / wheels. Rather, buy a NEW TRAILER altogether. Thus I need your help!! Hey, all you swing keel H22 (older version) owners out there, any recommendations / experiences with a replacement trailer??

also see parallel posting / discussion on > Trailer Sailors

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

There are many trailer manufactures but one person I have always trusted is Ron Frisosky with Road King Trailers whose phone number is 941-914-3890.

To give you insight to Ron, first he is fair, can be trusted and knows what he is doing. He use to be a sailboat dealer in his younger years and then became a rep. for Catalina Yachts which he is still many years later. In his early days, he was a rep for many to include magic tilt but mostly for Precision Trailers now closed. His job was measuring and designing the trailers along with Larry who co owned Precision trailers. He sold trailers to about every manufacturer I know. Larry retired but had to get back into the trailer buisnes as Road King. Ron Frisosky followed him designing the trailers and this man knows what he is doing. Give him a call.

It is very rare for me to speak highly but most importantly, I trust this fellow. Give him a call as he knows all the boats and probably already has the specs for your boat sir. Everyone in the industry knows the man and I relied on him heavily for many years.

crazy dave condon formerly owner of American Marine & Sail Supply, Inc.

 

[SeaTR]

Thanks a bunch Dave; your input is much appreciated !

 

[SeaTR]

Are there still no specific comments out there re: quality, service satisfaction, and cost of sailboat trailers by any of the manufacturers???

I need to decide / resolve this issue SOON...it's not so much me as it is the First Mate .. ! :-(

 

[inarathree]

Sorry I don't own a trailer. Much easier to leave the boat in the water year round. Our Hobie was trailered. Just the standard trailer, when that axle broke I just took it to my local trailer supply store, and they fixed it for like $200. Of course getting a Hobie off the trailer is easier (and lighter) than a 3500# boat. And the Laser is on a trailer, but no problems there, and once again light.

 

[Brian M H23]

The trailer is almost all open C channel. I don't know why you wouldn't buy a new axle for $300 and call it a day. These things wear out. Ideally you catch it early, but sometimes you don't.

 

[inarathree]

The trailer is almost all open C channel. I don't know why you wouldn't buy a new axle for $300 and call it a day. These things wear out. Ideally you catch it early, but sometimes you don't.

+1

 

[MABell]

http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/axles/

 

[SeaTR]

OK, guys and gals..I'm sold on the idea of repair vs replace ! I admit I was a little ovherwhelmed when the axle failed. It's finally starting to "wear off", in part, thanks to your many insights and suggestions. I'm going the route of replacing the axle, leaf springs, u-bolts, ...with wheel hubs, brakes, and tires under consideration as well. (It is 1981 OEM Magic tilt, after all)

THANK YOU, Y'ALL !

This weekend is my target to get it towed by an outfit that says they're experienced in towing sailboats ON trailers. A 73 year young fella runs the outfit and is the only one, so far, that I'm confident in to do the job right.

As this is the largest boat that I've owned to date, I was initially a little gun shy of how to approach the situation. I've been mostly a dinghy sailor until I picked up this 1981 Hunter 22 salvage boat ~5 yrs ago...yes, it has been a 'project boat', er, I mean a labor of love.

Thanks again everybody.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

SeaTR;

With a trailer that old, I would suggest that you consider replacing the brake actuator on the front of the trailer tongue along with the brake lines as there may be a lot of rust, debri and so on in it which could adversely affect the new brakes. Before going on a long trip after repairs, take the trailer with boat on it of course for a spin of 10-20 miles and then feel the hub and tire rim to make sure no excessive heat.

Also when you tie down the back end of the boat onto the trailer with the web tie down, turn it two times on each side so the wind will not slap that tie down against the hull of the boat.

 

[SeaTR]

Dave.....Danke, merci, grazi, thanks, and 10Q ! As usual, at least from MY standpoint, you continue to contribute a couple of good "nuggets" every time you pipe up.

I replaced the brake actuator, lines, and wheel hubs/brakes 6 years ago when I first bought the boat and trailer. I only dip the trailer 2x per year...launch and haul out; they 'should' still be OK. I WILL give them the once over inspection to include refilling and venting after the axle work is done. I'll also check the heat build-up as well on a short trip, as you recommend.

Now, twisting the belly band / hold down straps to do away with "strap slap" is new to me. So far, all of my trips have only been over to New London, CT for the launches and haul outs (a mere 4 miles trip), and I hadn't thought of the impact...(pun intended)...

Thanks again,

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

never put a strap across the forward deck as it is not needed and will hurt the construction. :Only one needed in the rear and again on long trips, stop after 10-20 miles to check that tie down and all others. I always stopped every 125 to 150 miles to recheck plus it gave me a rest break.

I did have things happen and with my hydraulic trailer, one wheel and rim wieighing 300 lbs came off and luckily no one was struck but the funny thing, it came to a stop at the very front door of a DMV office. That was a new trailer which I sidelined until it was fixed following that trip.

 

[SeaTR]

Re: the DMV & wheel story.... Very funny, well maybe not 'funny' (someone may have been injured) ... but amusing !!
I imagine that you have a story (or two) for most every situation in boating.

I only use two straps on the toe rail to the front of the trailer (one port, one starboard) and the belly band in the rear, besides the bow eye to the winch stand, to secure the boat to my 32-yr old OEM Magic Tilt. (see below... in this pix, after being flatbed towed, I patiently await axle, springs, and u-bolt replacement at a local yard).

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

seatr.

On strapping that boat down, do not use the two forward straps as it could damage the boat over time. I note on the cockpit deck coamings that you have winches. I would run the rear strap behind the winches twisting them twice and forward on the trailer which is how I did all my boats if that could be done. When you look at the larger boats being commercially hauled, you will note the straps in the rear going forward and the one on the bow going backwards. Just remember those trailers do not have trailer tongue supports thus the strapping as described above.

 

[SeaTR]

Dave,
The marina is working on my trailer & axle; when completed, I'll remove both forward toe rail straps and "do the twist" (no dancing involved) on the belly band per your recommendation on the trip back home.

Only one question, when you said: "...I would run the rear strap behind the winches twisting them twice and forward on the trailer...", the twisting part I understand, but not the 'forward on the trailer' part. (related to the "you will note the straps in the rear going forward", I suppose ?)

Hilfe !!
Thanks,

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Seartr;

There is so much information that I wanted to discuss with you on the phone and that was one of them. When you are trailering a boat or anything where straps are used, when straight, the wind will catch them and slap or moving back and forth. In many cases, they will hit the hulls damaging the gel coat sometimes. Just a simple turn or two of the strap between the coaming to the bottom of the attachment to the trailer will stop that slapping of the strap. Just a second can save a lot of issues my friend.

crazy dave condon

 

[SeaTR]

Well the axle, U-bolts, leaf springs and both wheel cylinders have been replaced. The boat now rides a bit higher (~10") than previous...which I like. It's good to get boat and trailer back home again.

Thanks again to all for your input. Merry Christmas and hoping you have a great sailing year in 2014!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If you ever get another axle, consider a drop down axle Mr. Seatr. I wish we could have met or talked to you as it would be an interesting conversation. I am a retired sailboat dealer and am credited with water ballast and much more. I work as a volunteer for the Scouts repairing boats and will be entertaining folks in the VA mountains like my family had done before. However, there will be no discussion of the marine industry, politics and a no smoking rule. With the views of the mts., I also will have fishing at one end and hunting at the other end not to mention hiking inbetween.

Merry Christmas to one and all and to you SeaTr.

crazy dave condon

 

[203]

SeaTR,
I'm looking at the third picture and it appears to me that the port forward bunk support is leaning over toward the center more than the starboard side. That may well be an optical illusion, but I'm curious.
Your new axle looks like one of the >5000 Lb jobs. That's a great improvement over what you had even before it broke..

 

[Brian M H23]

The higher ride will make launching a little tougher! I see they oversprung this axle to replace the undersprung one. Good luck