First post and yes I have searched extensively for the answer. I just bought my first sailbaot Hunter 18.5. I specifically wanted a trailer sailor so that it could spend its nights with me in the drive and not on one of these shady over priced slips here in Texas. That being said this thing scares the hell out me. I have found from the forums that the winch is mounted way to low so I plan on fixing that tomorrow. My main concern is that this boat feels like its going to roll of the trailer at every turn. This may be my green horn coming out, but it makes me sick to think about that nice new paint job laying on the highway! I see these boats up on jack stands with no side support at all. Is the keep weighted so much that these boats just don't tip over? I can see marks on the boat where the previous owner strapped it to the trailer (and the cracks in the glass where they were over tightened). I have read both strap don't strap. I use 4 rod saver 1/2 ton staps on a 16 foot bass boat. Now I have a boat that is much bigger (relative to bass boat) and it has nothing but 2 flat boards to sit on and the winch eye? Am I Just worrying about nothing?
Trailer scares the he#@ out of me!
- Thread starter Texsail
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You basically answered your own question by noting the previous owner's strap down efforts. So you should just modify the straps to distribute the pressure.... perhaps some flat boards along the gunnels or adding some bunk board to give better side support. But, just realize you don't need to cinch the thing down like you're a cowboy bustin' a bronc.... just enough to keep the boat from rolling or moving around. You coud also add shocks to the trailer to keep if from bouncing.. which is probably what is causing most of your distrsss.
does the trailer sway alot to give you that feeling? could be the weight distribution is off and there isn't the right amount of weight on the trailer hitch. the tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total weight of trailer and load.
you need the belly band straps in case of a pot hole or other bumps to keep it from jumping off the trailer, not to mention your finiancial liability if you don't have them and are involved in a accident. you could try wrapping old rags under the stress points to prevent damage.
can you use trailer tie downs on the transome instead of a belly band? they may cause less damage.
you need the belly band straps in case of a pot hole or other bumps to keep it from jumping off the trailer, not to mention your finiancial liability if you don't have them and are involved in a accident. you could try wrapping old rags under the stress points to prevent damage.
can you use trailer tie downs on the transome instead of a belly band? they may cause less damage.
There have been some really good suggestions here. Being a trailer sailer myself (Starwind 19) I can confirm that strapping it down will help. I would also take a good look at the hitch weight. That makes more difference than you would think.
Also, what vehicle are you using to pull this boat? If the wheelbase is too short, that can also contribute to trailer sway.
HTH
Bill
Also, what vehicle are you using to pull this boat? If the wheelbase is too short, that can also contribute to trailer sway.
HTH
Bill
OK, Let me add some confusion. On my 21 footer, I don't strap it down. HOWEVER, my trailer has two keel guides to hold the keel steady AND two goal posts to keep the boat centered while reloading the boat. My lights are on top of the goal posts to keep them high and dry. My trailer bunks are just under the turn of the bilge and each one has four points of support. I've trailered it on several 500 mile trips from Houston to Pensacola and back. I've never felt unsure about it or the boat. The goal posts also show you where the trailer is while you're motoring over from the dock. 
I would strap it down. One strap on each side, if possible. If not, a single strap over the cockpit. Some states may actually require it, from what I've heard. You don't have to crank them down to where the gelcoat is crazing - just snug them so the boat can't jump off.
Also, add a short chain or cable between the bow eye and the winch pylon. Loose, not tight. Just as a backup. Every once in a while you hear of someone's winch cable or strap breaking, and the boat creeping back on the trailer.
Even if it won't actually jump off, securing it at both ends will make you feel better, which means you will concentrate on driving, and not on what's going on in the mirror.
Also, add a short chain or cable between the bow eye and the winch pylon. Loose, not tight. Just as a backup. Every once in a while you hear of someone's winch cable or strap breaking, and the boat creeping back on the trailer.
Even if it won't actually jump off, securing it at both ends will make you feel better, which means you will concentrate on driving, and not on what's going on in the mirror.
Strap it. I have an Irwin 25 and use a 2 inch cargo strap to keep her from bucking off. About the handling I agree the weight distribution and tongue weight are important factors.
My Lancer 25 is strapped to the trailer at all times (except between launch and retrieve!). I wouldn't even think about driving without them. I have two from the stern cleats to the end of the trailer and two from about midships down to the trailer. I also keep the safety chain on with the winch strap. And, to add yet another belt to my belt-and-suspenders, I have a ratchet strap between the bow eye and the trailer tongue to minimize bouncing. It only adds another minute to launch but if she ever falls off, it isn't for lack of trying! $20 for a pair of decent tie-downs is cheap insurance.
You may also want to check your tires. I think that a bias ply tire is preferred over radial tires because of the sidewalls. Be sure to air up your tires to the max too.
I purchased a new trailer sailor project boat last summer. The P.O. had put regular car tires on the trailer. She would pull okay most of the time but every now and again she would start to say side to side and felt like she was rolling side to side as well.
Following the advice found here... I went to tractor supply and purchased trailer tires. They are more rigid and it made a huge difference. The swaying was due to the give in the sidewalls of the car tires. I also strap my aft down but I use a piece of carpet under the strap to keep from rubbing marks in my gunwales.
Trailering
Hiee,
I wouldn't think of trailering without straps on our boat. Its nearly 22' and we use rachets accross the cockpit to the frame at the end of the trailer and also rachet ties again across the cabin just behind the forward hatch. We have wheel bunks on our trailer. The strapping is just to prevent any bounce that may be inparted by the roadway. We also use the safety chain from the pylon to the boat hook as well as winch cable. I tighten the straps until I see the boat pull down onto the bunk wheels.
Towing without the stern being tied down is dangerous and inconsiderate in my opinion.
Tongue weight also plays a major factor and as others have mentioned should be in the 10 to 15 percent range, although I go with 10 percent myself.
Happy sailing,
Brina
Hiee,
I wouldn't think of trailering without straps on our boat. Its nearly 22' and we use rachets accross the cockpit to the frame at the end of the trailer and also rachet ties again across the cabin just behind the forward hatch. We have wheel bunks on our trailer. The strapping is just to prevent any bounce that may be inparted by the roadway. We also use the safety chain from the pylon to the boat hook as well as winch cable. I tighten the straps until I see the boat pull down onto the bunk wheels.
Towing without the stern being tied down is dangerous and inconsiderate in my opinion.
Tongue weight also plays a major factor and as others have mentioned should be in the 10 to 15 percent range, although I go with 10 percent myself.
Happy sailing,
Brina
You can add something like what this trailer has if it makes you feel better.
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/17280
If you slow down in corners, it'll be fine.
Definitely strap it down. It's an unsecured load otherwise. It'll also take some stress off the winch post and bow eye. Every bump, turn, stop, and start will stress them both.
And if a wreck happens, you don't want a 2,000lb boat flying off the trailer.
You people towing without straps are fools. Strap your damned boat down.
Our boat is 18.5 ft long and the towing weight is maybe 1500 or 1600 lb gross. When we first got the boat, I felt there wasn't enough weight on the tongue so I moved the winch pillar forward a bit to get more weight forward and I think that helps.
We also strap the boat down - one big strap across the cockpit. You never know.
Our tow vehicle is a 2000 Nissan Xterra, and I hardly notice the trailer once we're on the road (except for that damn boat that's bumpertailing us, but refuses to pass)
One other think - I heard it's OK, and others leave the motor on, but I don't like leaving the outboard on the motor mount when we trailer. I either lay it down on pads in the cockpit, or I put it in the truck. It's one less piece of metal yanking on the transom.
We also strap the boat down - one big strap across the cockpit. You never know.
Our tow vehicle is a 2000 Nissan Xterra, and I hardly notice the trailer once we're on the road (except for that damn boat that's bumpertailing us, but refuses to pass)
One other think - I heard it's OK, and others leave the motor on, but I don't like leaving the outboard on the motor mount when we trailer. I either lay it down on pads in the cockpit, or I put it in the truck. It's one less piece of metal yanking on the transom.
Thanks for all the advice. I am using many of these suggestions and going to work my way through a couple more as the summer goes on. I love the fact that someone else freaked out enough to weld high sides on to their trailer. I was just about to that point and I may still!
I wasn't too worried about the boat coming off the trailer, but wanted to make ....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/trailer-mods-3.html
... make launching and retrieving in winds/currents easier, so made the bunks above and a year ago added a second...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/misc-pics-18.html
....axle and brakes along with a third bunk.
The original goal posts for the trailer were very weak and one had rusted through and come off. I made the new....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/trailer-mods-4.html
...ones much stronger and with the ....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/trailer-mods-6.html
...pads on the bottoms of the uprights the boat self-centers when you pull it out. I've made a number of other mods....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/trailer-mods-index.html
...to the trailer to make it a lot more functional than it was.
I agree that no matter how well the trailer is made strapping the boat down is a good idea except when you forget
,Sum
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Straps can shrink over time, so if left tight they do damage. To tow, strap just snug enough to prevent the boat from bouncing and always loosen the strap at the end of the day's tow. Don't use a ratchet strap, just one you snug by hand.
With proper bunks the boat will stay on the trailer if tied down properly.
OC
With proper bunks the boat will stay on the trailer if tied down properly.
OC
- Dec 25, 2009
- 269
Let me share my recent experience. I was involved in an accident. The ONLY thing that kept my boat from coming off the trailer (5600 lb boat) and coming forward over my truck was because I had a bow eye and winch secure and 2 (two) 3" wide 10 ton ratchet straps over the boat and down to the trailer frame these ran just in front of my mooring cleats on both sides of the boat and over the boat completely. These straps were the only reason my boat sustained no damage in a rear end collision. I had to stop very abruptly at relatively low speed. 25 mph. The boat did come forward and up. But only by the amount of the slack in the coil of cable in the winch.
Both my air bags deployed. Both my front and rear bumpers were bent down and the frame of my Suburban was bent downward as well where the bumpers bolted on to the frame.
Would I ever go down the road with my boat not strapped down. Not on your life.
Both my air bags deployed. Both my front and rear bumpers were bent down and the frame of my Suburban was bent downward as well where the bumpers bolted on to the frame.
Would I ever go down the road with my boat not strapped down. Not on your life.
A question for Sum,
I'm going to put tandem axels on my trailer, and wondered what the measurement from the transom to the center equalizer on your trailer. I'd think that the weight distribution of your boat would be approximatly the same as mine and it would give me a starting point.
Thank you
Fred
I'm going to put tandem axels on my trailer, and wondered what the measurement from the transom to the center equalizer on your trailer. I'd think that the weight distribution of your boat would be approximatly the same as mine and it would give me a starting point.
Thank you
Fred
I'm not Sumner, but if you put the center of the equalizer where the original axle center is now, you won't change the balance, assuming spring length is the same on both axles. Mine had a second axle added, with the center where the original axle was, and sway isn't a problem even with its relatively light (for the trailer gross) tongue weight.
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