Trailering 27'

[Bateau Margo]

We bought our first sail boat this past fall. Next weekend we get to to bring it home in preparation for launch in mid to late April by our marina. It is on a sturdy but homemade trailer. Being used to power boats not sail boats on a trailer it loots un-balanced. I of course plan on taking it easy and strapping it down in the front and back, as well as securing the mast. Any other tips. I tried to attach a picture but I couldn't figure out how.

 

[Perfect Excuse]

Lots of experience with a Tanzer 7.5. Securing the boat to the trailer is almost too obvious to mention, but I have seen a 26 ft sailboat on the highway when the owner, in a hurry, forgot to tie it down. If you that not previously hauled a sailboat, one caution I would have is ensure the it is balanced on the trailer with enough weight on hitch to prevent fish tailing. That includes balancing of supplies and things within the boat. A load leveller hitch would be a good idea. Another suggestion is make sure your braking system is balanced so that the trailer brakes will be a applied first to keep your whole unit straight if you should have to stop suddenly. I'm assuming that your tow vehicle has sufficient weight and power. Not sure about NY laws but here in Alberta homemade trailers must be inspected before licensing. Probably a good idea before your first venture.

As a side note we once towed through Jasper National Park and spent a night in a camp ground. Our tow vehicle was a '58 Thunderbird. Having a vintage T-bird and Catalina 22 with the Rocky Mountains as a background created quite the buzz and photo op in the Enjoy!

 

[Rick Webb]

Couple of Suggestions

Not sure how far you are going but I would think about blocking the keel in so that it could not shift left right forward or aft. Just a couple pieces of 4X4 would do fine.

It is hard to tell from the angle but it looks like you may be light on tounge weight. If your going 10 miles at 25 MPH not a huge deal. The trailers axle look to be further apart than most, you need to make very certain it is level when hooked up to the tow vehicle. Measure the height of the coupler and the draw bar on your truck before you take off. Too high or too low and you are putting additional load on one axle.

Of course the whole bit on grease, bearings, tires, tire pressure, spare tire and often over looked make sure you have a lug wrench that fits and a jack that will fit under the axle while the tire is flat. Never try to jack up the trailer by putting the jack under the frame the frame is not typically stressed for the load and may bend.

 

[azguy]

Boy, that's a small trailer....