In your openion what is the largest trailable boat a person can tow? this is assumeing an adequite towing experience and truck. I currently have an Oday 20 and I am day dreaming about the future. Thank's for your responce.big grin
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Steve
Trailerable boat
Towing is important but I would be more concerned with the ability to launch and retrieve. Secondly, how much time and effort is needed for setup and tear down. I have a 23' and it tows fine. Getting it on and off the trailer can be an experience given the differences in ramp length, angle and water conditions. It's not what I would consider a true trailerable boat. A 20' boat seems to be a better choice. It really depends on your needs and expectations.
Towing is important but I would be more concerned with the ability to launch and retrieve. Secondly, how much time and effort is needed for setup and tear down. I have a 23' and it tows fine. Getting it on and off the trailer can be an experience given the differences in ramp length, angle and water conditions. It's not what I would consider a true trailerable boat. A 20' boat seems to be a better choice. It really depends on your needs and expectations.
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Dave K
How big?
I see a fellow at my local marina occasionally that trailers a Hunter 25.5. It's big. He brings an 8 ft. ladder to get in and out of the boat on the trailer. He tows it with a full-size Chevy van. Rig and launch is two hours. But I've also seen a number of folks with these MacGregor 26X power/sailors which are about the same size, but they get rigged and launched in an hour or so and the boat sits low enough on the trailer that you can get on and off with the swim ladder. So I guess it depends somewhat on the boat. Personally, I think 20 ft is about the upper practical limit for rigging a boat solo. To rig a larger boat safely calls for more people or some extra mast raising equipment which adds to the rigging time.
I see a fellow at my local marina occasionally that trailers a Hunter 25.5. It's big. He brings an 8 ft. ladder to get in and out of the boat on the trailer. He tows it with a full-size Chevy van. Rig and launch is two hours. But I've also seen a number of folks with these MacGregor 26X power/sailors which are about the same size, but they get rigged and launched in an hour or so and the boat sits low enough on the trailer that you can get on and off with the swim ladder. So I guess it depends somewhat on the boat. Personally, I think 20 ft is about the upper practical limit for rigging a boat solo. To rig a larger boat safely calls for more people or some extra mast raising equipment which adds to the rigging time.
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Don M. Chesley
Boat size
Thanks for the reply s. If I am going to spend some time in the boat on a Texas lake, say two weeks, the set time is not such a big deal however the launch and retrieve conditions would be something to think about. I am more concerened with towing a big boat down the road and in trafic than I am with rigging at the lake. Anymore help out there would be apprecieated.
Thanks for the reply s. If I am going to spend some time in the boat on a Texas lake, say two weeks, the set time is not such a big deal however the launch and retrieve conditions would be something to think about. I am more concerened with towing a big boat down the road and in trafic than I am with rigging at the lake. Anymore help out there would be apprecieated.
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Steve
Towing
I'm not a veteran at towing my boat but I did pull it 400 miles to get it home when I purchased it. I have also made a few trips back and forth from the marina to a storage yard nearby, 50 mile each way. Your tow vehicle is important, combined weight for my boat and trailer is close to 5000 lbs. It's not exactly aerodynamic and I can feel it behind my F150 at 60 mph. Trailer brakes and tires are critical. The trailer brakes on my trailer were non-functioning when I purchased it. Have since installed everything new. Can't say I am ever totally relaxed when I'm towing the rig. I have prior driving experience with 18 wheelers so I understand and repect the forces involved. I tend to anticipate and prepare for the worst while traveling. I isn't so much about my ability as it is about the uncontrolled situations, idiot drivers, debris, weather conditions etc. etc. you get the picture. I try to plan ahead, have a plan so speak, so if a trailer tire fails I know I can react without endangering myself or anyone else. All things considered it's not that difficult, just do it right. Don't take short cuts where the boat and trailer are concerned and be prepared.
I'm not a veteran at towing my boat but I did pull it 400 miles to get it home when I purchased it. I have also made a few trips back and forth from the marina to a storage yard nearby, 50 mile each way. Your tow vehicle is important, combined weight for my boat and trailer is close to 5000 lbs. It's not exactly aerodynamic and I can feel it behind my F150 at 60 mph. Trailer brakes and tires are critical. The trailer brakes on my trailer were non-functioning when I purchased it. Have since installed everything new. Can't say I am ever totally relaxed when I'm towing the rig. I have prior driving experience with 18 wheelers so I understand and repect the forces involved. I tend to anticipate and prepare for the worst while traveling. I isn't so much about my ability as it is about the uncontrolled situations, idiot drivers, debris, weather conditions etc. etc. you get the picture. I try to plan ahead, have a plan so speak, so if a trailer tire fails I know I can react without endangering myself or anyone else. All things considered it's not that difficult, just do it right. Don't take short cuts where the boat and trailer are concerned and be prepared.
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Harley
toeing
I have to tow everytime just to get to the water. I tow an Oday 23 with a 1/2T. full size Chevy van with 5.7 L. dull axle trailer with working BRAKES (surge type). I've pull 400 + miles several times to KY lake with few problems. Make sure the trailer is capable and the tires are not overloaded I think that tires and brakes are critical. If you any questions e-mail me and I will try to answer them.
I have to tow everytime just to get to the water. I tow an Oday 23 with a 1/2T. full size Chevy van with 5.7 L. dull axle trailer with working BRAKES (surge type). I've pull 400 + miles several times to KY lake with few problems. Make sure the trailer is capable and the tires are not overloaded I think that tires and brakes are critical. If you any questions e-mail me and I will try to answer them.
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Harley
towing
I have to tow everytime just to get to the water. I tow an Oday 23 with a 1/2T. full size Chevy van with 5.7 L. dull axle trailer with working BRAKES (surge type). I've pull 400 + miles several times to KY lake with few problems. Make sure the trailer is capable and the tires are not overloaded I think that tires and brakes are critical. If you any questions e-mail me and I will try to answer them.
I have to tow everytime just to get to the water. I tow an Oday 23 with a 1/2T. full size Chevy van with 5.7 L. dull axle trailer with working BRAKES (surge type). I've pull 400 + miles several times to KY lake with few problems. Make sure the trailer is capable and the tires are not overloaded I think that tires and brakes are critical. If you any questions e-mail me and I will try to answer them.
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Eric
trailering
I have an O'Day 240. Displaces 3600# and sits on a Load Rite tandem axel trailer. Right now the trailer serves as a storage cradle, and the yard men move it here and there and everywhere as needed. They move is up and down some pretty scary grades and put it in some pretty small places, but they are experts. It doesnt look that stable to me. I store the mast in crutches on the coachtop. That doesnt look too stable to me either. The person I purchased her from told me the story of the previous owner to him, as having towed her all over, from the Northeast to the Southeast several times a year. Because she sits so high on the trailer, this guy would attach an electric winch to the hitchball and let the entire trailer submurge in order to roll her off. This explains the completely corroded surge brakes. It takes me a good half day to step or un-step the mast. That doesn't sound too traierable to me. Now in the old days, I would trainer my daysailer any where any time. I could rig her and launch her in 30 minutes with a smoke break (those were the days!) Anyway... just some thoughts. Good Winds, Eric
I have an O'Day 240. Displaces 3600# and sits on a Load Rite tandem axel trailer. Right now the trailer serves as a storage cradle, and the yard men move it here and there and everywhere as needed. They move is up and down some pretty scary grades and put it in some pretty small places, but they are experts. It doesnt look that stable to me. I store the mast in crutches on the coachtop. That doesnt look too stable to me either. The person I purchased her from told me the story of the previous owner to him, as having towed her all over, from the Northeast to the Southeast several times a year. Because she sits so high on the trailer, this guy would attach an electric winch to the hitchball and let the entire trailer submurge in order to roll her off. This explains the completely corroded surge brakes. It takes me a good half day to step or un-step the mast. That doesn't sound too traierable to me. Now in the old days, I would trainer my daysailer any where any time. I could rig her and launch her in 30 minutes with a smoke break (those were the days!) Anyway... just some thoughts. Good Winds, Eric
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Tom
trailering O DAY 22
I have a 1980 O'day 22. It trailers easily be- hind an F-150 and takes under an hour to step the mast and get into the water.
I have a 1980 O'day 22. It trailers easily be- hind an F-150 and takes under an hour to step the mast and get into the water.
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