Trailering a 22' w/ fixed keel...need advise

[M. Mallette]

I just bought a 22' Catalina. 1976, #5959.It has a fixed keel. The boat was in the water when Ibought it, (and still is) The trailer looks like it was made to haul the boat, and it looks heavy duty.But it is not factory made. The man I bought this from had never pulled the boat out so he could offer no pointers on how to get it out.I have read that you should have 10-15% of the weight (max) on the hitch.The question is this: in relation to the axle where should the boat be positioned? The aft port centered over the axle? I know there are many variables but if anyone could give me starting point it would help. Thanks, Mike

 

[Don]

Trailering

The trailer should have a post to pull the boat up to. If not, put the boat about six feet from the truck and start out slowly....from the water. Have some one watch in case the boat is too far forward or especially back too far on the trailer. You may have to try a few times to get it about right. Mark the trailer and be sure to install a post to pull it up to if you do not already have one.The first time we pulled ours the boat was too, too,,,far back. We were pulling it with a jeep and the rear end was bouncing up and down badly. We have since pulled to Florida twice. Hope this helps. Dons/v Pulchitude 1975 Oday 22

 

[Eric]

Trailering Help Needed Also

I just bought a Oday 1972 22' and I'm having a hard time getting the boat positioned on the trailer correclty. Boat is too far back. It looks like the pads may need re-positioning. I have two sets of pads. The inboard pair are turned down as if for a keel guide but look like they could be adjusted (cranked 90 degrees)to support weight. Outboard pair are only barely supporting weight. Most of weight is currently on keel rollers. Front rollers is prohibiting movement further forward but is fully adjusted down. Shouldn't the weight be destributed between all three (or five) points? Outboard pads are adjusted all the way up. A picture of the correct setup would be worth thousand words if you have one.Thanks for any help you can offer,eric_v_hudson@hotmail.comMansfield, TX

 

[GROVE]

BEEN THERE

NOTHING LIKE EXPERIENCE.FIRST OF ALL IS THE TRAILER OR WAS THE TRAILER EVER ADJUSTED FOR THIS BOAT?ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT IS VERY CARFULLY AND SLOWLY AND AT APOINT INTHE DAY WHHN YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME AT THE LAUNCH!!!! I TRAILER MMY FIN C-22KEEL AND THE FIRST THING TO DO IS GET THE TRAILER DEEP ENOUGH IN THE WATER IF YOU DONT HAVE AN EXTENSION ON THE TONGUE .CHECKOUT HOW DEEP THOSE REAR TIRES AND EXHAUST PIPE GO AS YOU BACK UP.ANYWAY THEWEIGHT OF THE BOAT SHOULD SIT EVEN WITH THE AXLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE KEEL AND THE ROLLERS BEARING EQUL WEIGHT.U WILL NEED TO ADJUST THOSE HEIGHTS IF NOT.JUST USE COMMON SENSE AND DONT GET RUSHED.ALSO DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT CRANKING ON THAT WINCH TO HARD IF YOUR NOT IN THE WATER.U WILL BREAK THE LINE OR PULL OUT THE CLEAT.U MAY USE YOUR CAR JACK TO GET THE HEIGHT YOU NEED.GOOD LUCK

 

[Jack Rhines]

trailering a fin keel

This subject is just the info I need ! I bought a Fin keel 1979 22 foot Catalina ,last . Dec. Boat is in great condition , and I love sailing it! It is in marina in San Diego. I have no trailer at this time! I have read and reread the Forum Archives on trailering a fin keel for ramp launch, did not sound good! Was ready to give up on Idea of looking for a used trailer. Then I read opinion of GROVE and it sounds like he has it down good. Here is question? Any one in Riverside San Diego Calif. area have a Catalina 22 fin keel I can come look at on Trailer!Any one willing to throw in there opinion on this subject, I ready to listen to all good and bad.Any one have a used Trailer I can Buy. Any one willing to loan or rent me a trailer to pull boat out at San Diego bay ramp. I plan to pull boat with a 3/4 ton Dodge van 1997 it has the 6 cyl Engine with oil cooler on trans. I use it now to pull my power boat(yes a power boat the Grandkids love it) .aprox. 2500 pounds . Have not had a problem. This is getting long in the tooth, but I really want to get more use out of the boat, Like tow to Lake Mead and up the coast and to other Lakes. I really do not want to buy another boat with swing keel becouse as I said this Fin keel is a great boat except for this one drawback (lifes a trade of when it comes to keels) Thank you all ahead of time. Jack