trailer specs

Aug 10, 2020
537
Catalina C25 3559 Rocky Mount
I am sure the same or similar questions have been asked.

I have acquired an S2 8.0
this spring I would like to put it on my trailer from my 26 Laguna.

The Laguna drafts just over 3ft. The S2 drafts 4ft. This surely isn't as simple as just moving the bunks up a foot? Will that be close enough to work?

I am not looking to haul it down the highway, just 2 miles home to start working on it. It will need to sit on the trailer for season or so.

thanks in advance.
 
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
Make sure the trailer doesn't deform the hull. Pay attention to where the pads touch the hull, how many pads, what structure is behind the fiberglass, and the hull shape where contact is made.
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,955
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
The hull shape plays a big role here. If the trailer pads are adjustable and there is enough adjustment available, then set the boat on the trailer and while still in the slings raise the pads to fit. It gets more difficult if the pads aren't adjustable or if there isn't a travel lift. The boat's weight should sit on the keel and the keel should sit over the axle.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,443
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Fixed keel boats wieght sit on the keel tray, otherwise, a swing keel is lowered onto a keel tray with the weight of he boat on the bunk boards/
 
Sep 24, 2018
3,405
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
You may be able to add some wood on top of the pads if you need to spread the load or they're an inch or two short
The Laguna drafts just over 3ft. The S2 drafts 4ft
These numbers are probably with the board down so they may not be useful. The biggest variables would be how big the trunk is and how far it sticks out of it. If memory serves me correctly, the keel on the Laguna sticks out about 1/2 to 3/4's of the way when it's in the up position
 
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Aug 10, 2020
537
Catalina C25 3559 Rocky Mount
These numbers are probably with the board down so they may not be useful. The biggest variables would be how big the trunk is and how far it sticks out of it. If memory serves me correctly, the keel on the Laguna sticks out about 1/2 to 3/4's of the way when it's in the up position
both are fixed keel.

I may have a line on some old boat stands. If it works out, and there are 6, I will use the adjustable bits to make adjustable pads instead of bunks for my trailer. I like the idea of being able to adapt to different boats as needed, and I doubt it will ever go more a few miles back and forth to the ramp.
 
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Jul 26, 2020
11
Dehler 25 25 Kemah TX
both are fixed keel.

I may have a line on some old boat stands. If it works out, and there are 6, I will use the adjustable bits to make adjustable pads instead of bunks for my trailer. I like the idea of being able to adapt to different boats as needed, and I doubt it will ever go more a few miles back and forth to the ramp.
The important thing is to not deform the hull. I think that should be pretty easy as long as the keel is bearing the weight and the pads are only handling the balancing. I build a trailer for my Dehler. As it doesn't have a fixed keel I found a drawing from Dehler stating how to support the boat on a trailer and basically followed that.

JJ
 
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Aug 10, 2020
537
Catalina C25 3559 Rocky Mount
I don't have a better pic of the trailer, but here it is. It will be May before I can float this one off and start doing any work on the trailer. I am just trying to get a plan together.

Both boats are the same length. Similar beam, and within 600lbs of each other. Hull shape is similar.

If I don't end up doing pads, I may raise the bunks about 10" and bring extra 2x6's to shim the difference. (Stack on top of the bunks)

I have a feeling this is going to take a couple times of floating the boat on and off and seeing how things fit.
 

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Jan 11, 2014
12,955
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
The easiest solution is to make the stands adjustable. Welding the top of the jack stands to the existing supports would probably work.

If you have access to a marina with a travel lift to pick the boat up, adjusting it would be very easy. If not, a tall helper and a good set of waders will be necessary.
 
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Apr 26, 2015
663
S2 26 Mid On Trailer
On the new trailer I built for my 8.0 C, I placed 1/2" stall mat (Tractor Supply) under the carpet to spread the load of the pad. The pads are 6"x 6" as it's a waste of time to have anything larger due to the curvature of the hull. There are 5 each side. I used the "that's just about right" method, with a flashlight shinning down the hull under the pads, when snugging the pads up. Over 10,000 miles towing and no problems. The hull on an 8.0 is over a 1/2" thick in the pad area (changed all the thru hulls and measured). I've actually raised all the pads with a jack under the bow and suspended the boat to paint the bottom of the keel with no deformation.
 
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Aug 10, 2020
537
Catalina C25 3559 Rocky Mount
On the new trailer I built for my 8.0 C, I placed 1/2" stall mat (Tractor Supply) under the carpet to spread the load of the pad. The pads are 6"x 6" as it's a waste of time to have anything larger due to the curvature of the hull. There are 5 each side. I used the "that's just about right" method, with a flashlight shinning down the hull under the pads, when snugging the pads up. Over 10,000 miles towing and no problems. The hull on an 8.0 is over a 1/2" thick in the pad area (changed all the thru hulls and measured). I've actually raised all the pads with a jack under the bow and suspended the boat to paint the bottom of the keel with no deformation.
any chance i could get a pic of your trailer? possibly measurements on your stanchions for your pads?
 
Jul 26, 2020
11
Dehler 25 25 Kemah TX

I stayed with 2"X6" bunk runners just like the picture you posted. I fabricated adjustable bunk board brackets out of channel and some angle. Similar to attached but longer. I found a publication from my boat manufacturer giving me the support locations and dimensions for the curvature. I didn't mill out slots but just drilled holes to mount the brackets to the trailer using U-bolts at the correct dimensions. Worked very slick but I wouldn't want to try that without the dimensions given or a travel lift to hold the boat while I took dimensions and drilled the mounting holes.
I also welded/bolted a front to back and side to side support to the brackets so I didn't have to worry about the brackets bending in a panic brake situation or a panic turn.

JJ
 
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Sep 24, 2018
3,405
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
Alternatively you could bolt those stands to a flatbed/construction trailer. It'd be very versatile for different boats but definitely not the cheapest solution if it requires purchasing a new trailer
 
Apr 26, 2015
663
S2 26 Mid On Trailer
any chance i could get a pic of your trailer? possibly measurements on your stanchions for your pads?
No problem. I should be home in about 4 days. My boat is the shoal keel but we should be able to scale up to the standard keel since the hull shape is the same.

@dlochner mentioned wading in and adjusting stanchions, just make sure you only adjust the two that are exactly perpendicular to the forward edge of the keel as the boat will rock back as you pull out of the water on a ramp.
 
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