Joe thank you so much for all the great information. Really appreciate it!!!!
Margaret
Margaret,
The trailer that is shown in the pictures is a regular powerboat trailer. It was supposed to come with 12'' extension brackets and what looked like 6''X10" rug covered plank in the center of the cross members. I told the Long dealer in Warren RI where I bought my trailer that I didn't need the plank nor the short extension brackets. I asked for the 24" extension brackets and as for the keel board; I bought two pressure treated 2"x8" planks and sandwiched them together and use two power company lightning arrester brackets to hold these plank to the cross members. The power companies sometime throw these brackets away. They are made of galvanized steel and they consist of two long carriage bolts, nuts & washers, and a back plate with slotted holes for adjustment. I drilled the holes through the planks and countersunk them with a wider drill bit so that the carriage bolt heads wouldn't stick up and get hit by the keel of the boat. The holes were drilled through the planks on each side of the trailer's cross member for the bolts and the plates tighten up under each cross member. No holes are drilled into the trailers cross members. I used Never-Seize on the threads of the bolts. The extension brackets on these trailers are the best I've seen. They're easy to adjust with a couple of car jacks with the boat sitting on the trailer. I was able to use four of my sailboat stands under the stern of my 222, and the jacks to adjust the bunks on my trailer. Here's a couple of pictures of the bracket. The bracket has two plates, but the back strap with the slots and the bolts and nuts are all that is needed. These bracket are used by the power companies for URD terminations (Pot Heads) fused cutouts, and lightning arresters. The brackets are sometimes not needed on poles without cross arms and they throw them in the scrap pile. I'm sure that they would give them to you if you asked the utility supply clerk. Even if you don't buy a trailer off a Long dealer, their 24" extension brackets can be bought through them and may fit a trailer of your choice. Then, all you need is the planks for the keel to sit on. Good Luck!
Joe
