Trailer Options

[Chis]

I currently own a fixed keel Oday Mariner which spends its winters in a wood cradle at a boatyard. I would like to get a trailer to be able to bring her home for the winter. I'd appeciate any experience or feedback on the following options.1. Get a flatbed trailer from Home Depot and put the cradle on the trailer ($1000). I would have to have a lift load and unload the boat each fall/summer ($200?/year) and rent/borrow a tow vehicle to get her home ($70?/trip).2. Get an acutal boat trailer and use a local ramp to haul her out in the fall ($1800). I would have to get a tow vehicle that was able to get deep enough to deal with the fixed keel on a ramp($70?/trip). Is there an extra concern here? The last thing I want to do it drowned a rental tow vehicle.I think I'd prefer option #2.Thanks,ChrisS/V B

 

[Rob]

Hello Chris

Chris, I was reading your final response back on the last link and I can sympathize with you..sailing can be an exspensive sport and unfortunatly some people in our sport think they are way above most of us....My advise to you is hang in there..I learned to sail in Boy scouts with no $$.. ended up building my first boat with plywood and an old sheet..she sunk on her madian voyage but was still a blast.....One thing you have going for you is you have a great boat.the Rhodes 19 I have is a 1964 and was ready for the heap when I found her 2 years ago...major restoration project....anyway they are basicly the SAME boat....They come in 2 models the one I have with a swing keel and your model the fixed keel option......I think the major problem you will find is not finding a trailer...but finding a ramp long enough or steep enough to float her while you try to get the trailer under her......Im not positive but I think you will have to rely on yard help for this....I have seen however J boat classes that have their own hauling cranes in the marina...since these boats are fixed keels and transport in trailers it may be an option to ask a J boat owner how they do it.......Try the search on the web for Rhodes 19 there are many associations and I know there is one in Marble head Mass.......many sights have classified sales of trailers.......Keep your chin up and nose in the wind......I being 43 am starting to teach sailing to the scouts in our area and last year started getting my kids involved....I have a lot of sailing things from cruising boat rhodes inflatables and dingies.just need time to play...and belive me. i am not rich.only feel that way when I can get out with my family.....Good luck and enjoy sailing!!!!By the way what year is she??Rob

 

[Rob]

links

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarinerSailors/http://www.usmariner.org/

 

[Peter White]

Green Harbor

I'm in a similiar situation except I don't own a boat yet. But I've been debating the trailer option as well as the fixed keel v. centerboard option. After finding several fixed kell trailerable boats, I checked with the Marshfield Harbormaster about their ramp. He told me that Green Harbor has sufficient depth for a two feet keel at low water. So you should have no problem at high tide. Harbormaster tel# is 781 834-5541.

 

[Sid R Ballantyne]

Chris you would be suprised

Chris I read the your post concerning the way you were treated as a young boat owner and I just want you to know that I know exactly what you mean. Just know that there are a lot of us young sailors out here that are not millionaire owners and love the sport just as much. Fair winds to you my friend.