Just got back from a week long trip to the Cheasapeake Bay and wanted to share our trailer problem with everyone. After putting Zinfandel in the water in Deale, Maryland, when I pulled the trailer back out of the water the bottom centerboard trailer bunks which the centerboard sit on were no longer attached to the trailer. I was able to retreive one of the boards but after wading in the water and feeling around with a pole I could not find the other one. When I inspected the one board I found out what the problem was, boards were screwed into the underside of the trailer not bolted to it. The upper bunks are bolted. Needless to say I had to find another board, put astro turf carpet on and bolt them to the trailer with carriage bolts. Luckily, my brother in-law came to the rescue and helped us out. I suggest you check your trailer boards before you set out on your next adventure.
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Similar problem
The first time I launched my '01 H260 the forward end of the center bunk stayed attached but the aft end was floating up. On mine it was attached with carriage bolts but the nuts were missing on the center and aft bolts. I think this was an oversight from Magic-tilt but it sure would be a good thing for Hunter to check before they sent the boat out! Fair winds, Joe C. in NC
The first time I launched my '01 H260 the forward end of the center bunk stayed attached but the aft end was floating up. On mine it was attached with carriage bolts but the nuts were missing on the center and aft bolts. I think this was an oversight from Magic-tilt but it sure would be a good thing for Hunter to check before they sent the boat out! Fair winds, Joe C. in NC
Me Too John
John, My center bunk has come loose twice. I think the rattling of the road shakes the nuts loose. I've just bungee the board down until I can get home and put another nut on. Missed you and your wife at the rendezvous this year. Where were you? Java won the race, these H260's can fly!!! Jim S/V Java
John, My center bunk has come loose twice. I think the rattling of the road shakes the nuts loose. I've just bungee the board down until I can get home and put another nut on. Missed you and your wife at the rendezvous this year. Where were you? Java won the race, these H260's can fly!!! Jim S/V Java
Thanks for the heads up!
John, I picked up my new H260 with trailer on 8/3 and after reading your note checked out my trailer. Two missing bolts and one missing nut on the center board bunk! The only bolt really keeping the bunk on the trailer was the last one aft. Although I didn't have any problems launching, it would have been a disaster had the bunk left the trailer during the 70 mile at 55mph ride home with boat in marina slip! Thanks for sharing!
John, I picked up my new H260 with trailer on 8/3 and after reading your note checked out my trailer. Two missing bolts and one missing nut on the center board bunk! The only bolt really keeping the bunk on the trailer was the last one aft. Although I didn't have any problems launching, it would have been a disaster had the bunk left the trailer during the 70 mile at 55mph ride home with boat in marina slip! Thanks for sharing!
Magic tilt trailers
I have a 240 with a magic tilt trailer. I have just had warranty work done on the brakes. They replaced the front coupler, free of charge, I hope. Haven't heard any bad news,yet. The seal broke on the master cylinder losing all fliud, resulting in no brakes. The service tec said the front coupler costs between 3 and 400.00 bucks to replace. He was surprised when I told him I could a replacement coupler for a brake system at Northern Hydraulics for $140.. Probally has a better release mechanism than the Magic tilt does.
I have a 240 with a magic tilt trailer. I have just had warranty work done on the brakes. They replaced the front coupler, free of charge, I hope. Haven't heard any bad news,yet. The seal broke on the master cylinder losing all fliud, resulting in no brakes. The service tec said the front coupler costs between 3 and 400.00 bucks to replace. He was surprised when I told him I could a replacement coupler for a brake system at Northern Hydraulics for $140.. Probally has a better release mechanism than the Magic tilt does.
Trailer Problems
I also have had problems with the middle (weight bearing) board coming off the Magic Tilt trailer for my 240...twice. The fist time, the back end just floated to the surface when I put it in the water to retrieve the boat. In both instances the board itself was split up the middle. So this summer after I put the boat in the slip I brought the trailer home and screwed some 2x4 cross pieces underneath a new water-treated board. I extended the ones I placed adjacent to the cross beams on the trailer so the 2x4's were about four inches out beyond either side of the board, then used large hose clamps to secure them to the trailer. Those original little bolts they use are useless. Now, nothing short of a crowbar will pry the thing off the trailer!
I also have had problems with the middle (weight bearing) board coming off the Magic Tilt trailer for my 240...twice. The fist time, the back end just floated to the surface when I put it in the water to retrieve the boat. In both instances the board itself was split up the middle. So this summer after I put the boat in the slip I brought the trailer home and screwed some 2x4 cross pieces underneath a new water-treated board. I extended the ones I placed adjacent to the cross beams on the trailer so the 2x4's were about four inches out beyond either side of the board, then used large hose clamps to secure them to the trailer. Those original little bolts they use are useless. Now, nothing short of a crowbar will pry the thing off the trailer!
James B. Post a picture?
I'd be interested to see a picture of your trailer modification. Thanks, Joe C.in NC
I'd be interested to see a picture of your trailer modification. Thanks, Joe C.in NC
Another incident of the same failure
I had exactly the same experience the first time I launched my new H260 boat in June. I just guessed some assembly worker missed the nuts on my trailer the day it got assembled. Apperantly, he is missing a lot of them and the quality check to avoid the early hour failures is not in place either. I'm afraid I can't accept the notion that it's normal for nuts to fall off of things as they go down the road. If that were true, the entire trailer (and probably the tow vehicle) would have fallen apart also, and I'd be sitting along the side of the road every day.
I had exactly the same experience the first time I launched my new H260 boat in June. I just guessed some assembly worker missed the nuts on my trailer the day it got assembled. Apperantly, he is missing a lot of them and the quality check to avoid the early hour failures is not in place either. I'm afraid I can't accept the notion that it's normal for nuts to fall off of things as they go down the road. If that were true, the entire trailer (and probably the tow vehicle) would have fallen apart also, and I'd be sitting along the side of the road every day.
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