I'm in the market for a trailer sailor and have been reading about sailboat unfreindly launch ramps. The ones with potholes or cliff like drop offs that damage your trailer or swallow it whole. Has anyone modified their trailer to address this problem? I'm thinking a length of angle iron(maybe box beam?) attached to the trailer just in front of the wheel and slightly below the axle and extending forward to just below the tongue jack. Act like skis until the wheels get back onto the concrete. Maybe attach a piece of HDPE to the bottom so it will slide better?
Trailer modification
- Thread starter Brian Scott
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flotation
Yes, maybe this is one of those situations ripe for a "million dollar idea". I've wondered if someone couldn't make up a flotation device, maybe a bundle of 4 large inner tubes all connected to a single air hose, that could be inflated from a remote location (like the hitch of the trailer) if necessary, and which would have enough bouyancy to float the trailer. Failing that, many ramps have docks with marks on them indicating the end of the hard ramp itself. You can have a spotter to keep you from backing past that point.
Yes, maybe this is one of those situations ripe for a "million dollar idea". I've wondered if someone couldn't make up a flotation device, maybe a bundle of 4 large inner tubes all connected to a single air hose, that could be inflated from a remote location (like the hitch of the trailer) if necessary, and which would have enough bouyancy to float the trailer. Failing that, many ramps have docks with marks on them indicating the end of the hard ramp itself. You can have a spotter to keep you from backing past that point.
Use the boat as a float
How about using the boat as a float. The stern never touches the back end of the trailer until the trailer is pulled halfway up the ramp. Attach a heavy line to the back corners of the trailer with floats attached to the other ends. Back the trailer down the ramp and let the new lines just float on the water. Load the boat, attach the bow to the front of the trailer. If the wheels become hooked on the end of the ramp, use a boat hook to retrieve the floating lines. pull the lines over the gunwales and use the headsail winches to lift the backend of the trailer whatever is needed, using the boat as a float. Or, make a couple heavy hooks with lines already attached, dropping over the sides and hooking the back of the trailer.
How about using the boat as a float. The stern never touches the back end of the trailer until the trailer is pulled halfway up the ramp. Attach a heavy line to the back corners of the trailer with floats attached to the other ends. Back the trailer down the ramp and let the new lines just float on the water. Load the boat, attach the bow to the front of the trailer. If the wheels become hooked on the end of the ramp, use a boat hook to retrieve the floating lines. pull the lines over the gunwales and use the headsail winches to lift the backend of the trailer whatever is needed, using the boat as a float. Or, make a couple heavy hooks with lines already attached, dropping over the sides and hooking the back of the trailer.
I don't understand
the objections to this idea. With a fin or wing keeled boat you sometimes have no choice but to back past the mark on the dock where the hard ramp ends. And how would these 'skis' catch on things on the road. They'd only have to be an inch lower than the axle and if something is going to catch on things on the road i'd rather bugger up a piece of angle iron than the axle. But, if it's a concern you could pivot the front of the ski on a large bolt, pivot the rear support rod on a bolt and join the back of the ski to the support rod with a hitch pin. It would add 30 seconds to launch time but you could explore lakes that you've never had access to. I had hoped that a dozen year round sailors would jump on this idea, try it out, iron out the bugs and there'd be a couple of howto's on the photo forum by the time I got my trailer. Oh well. Gang aft agley.
the objections to this idea. With a fin or wing keeled boat you sometimes have no choice but to back past the mark on the dock where the hard ramp ends. And how would these 'skis' catch on things on the road. They'd only have to be an inch lower than the axle and if something is going to catch on things on the road i'd rather bugger up a piece of angle iron than the axle. But, if it's a concern you could pivot the front of the ski on a large bolt, pivot the rear support rod on a bolt and join the back of the ski to the support rod with a hitch pin. It would add 30 seconds to launch time but you could explore lakes that you've never had access to. I had hoped that a dozen year round sailors would jump on this idea, try it out, iron out the bugs and there'd be a couple of howto's on the photo forum by the time I got my trailer. Oh well. Gang aft agley.
Brian
I didn't mean to disparage your idea, I just think that a second axle would accomplish the same goal while also improving the overall trailering. Another option would be to buld a "skid plate" under the axle like SUVs have under the transmission. I have a fixed fin keel C22 and use 60' of strap to launch so I am well aware of ramp issues. But I have never had the wheel go into a pothole or any problem like that. Once the boat goes out a bit it starts to float so there isn't that much weight on the trailer.
I didn't mean to disparage your idea, I just think that a second axle would accomplish the same goal while also improving the overall trailering. Another option would be to buld a "skid plate" under the axle like SUVs have under the transmission. I have a fixed fin keel C22 and use 60' of strap to launch so I am well aware of ramp issues. But I have never had the wheel go into a pothole or any problem like that. Once the boat goes out a bit it starts to float so there isn't that much weight on the trailer.
I don't know how often this would be
a problem but I think that I would hinge retractable skids that could be extended to nearly the level of the road prior to launching and lift the trailer axle out of the hole. If they are long enough and the hinge is located well forward that would effectively convert the wheeled trailer into a sled should the wheels drop off the edge. Once everything was back on dry ground the skids could be stowed tight against the underside of the trailer frame
a problem but I think that I would hinge retractable skids that could be extended to nearly the level of the road prior to launching and lift the trailer axle out of the hole. If they are long enough and the hinge is located well forward that would effectively convert the wheeled trailer into a sled should the wheels drop off the edge. Once everything was back on dry ground the skids could be stowed tight against the underside of the trailer frame
With the Boat Off
It is easier to pull the trailer out of the hole. This happened to me once, and when it did, I pushed the boat off the trailer (that's what I backed in for anyway). Upon boat retrival I backed in slowly and found a better spot. It isn't quite as abussive with trailer only. Sincerely, Brian
It is easier to pull the trailer out of the hole. This happened to me once, and when it did, I pushed the boat off the trailer (that's what I backed in for anyway). Upon boat retrival I backed in slowly and found a better spot. It isn't quite as abussive with trailer only. Sincerely, Brian
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