I have recently purchased a 1986 hunter 23. I have a single axle bunk style trailer with a tongue extension. This boat has a wing keel design. i have been rather disappointed with the way the boat trailers on the single axle design. I really don't care for the way the boat launches and retrieves. I would like to purchase a tandem axle trailer that has a lower center of gravity. Has anyone else changed the style of trailer for their boat and if so what brand. I would appreciate any input regarding any brand of trailer that could be converted for this boat. I bought this boat to travel with and haven't been to pleased as of yet. I love the boat, it is my first mono hull.
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mike43067
poor trailer sailor
I got my 23 cause I keep it at a dock and I love the boat. Trailered it home and don't think I'd want to launch and retrieve or step the mast more than once a year.
I got my 23 cause I keep it at a dock and I love the boat. Trailered it home and don't think I'd want to launch and retrieve or step the mast more than once a year.
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Mark Warwick
Possible solution
I am the original owner of a 1986 Hunter 23 and have the same galvanized single axle trailer you have described. I have never had any problems, either trailering or launching. I have dry sailed the boat it's entire life, and launch each time it's used. There are two things I can think of that may cause problems. If the trailer has radial tires, this could cause sway, and it is probably better to have bias ply tires on the trailer. Also, if there is not enough tongue weight that will also cause the trailer to waddle. There should be between 250-300 lbs of tongue weight for that trailer (10% of total). I had to slide my boat forward on the trailer about 5" when it arrived from the factory. This might prevent you from having to spend all that money for a new trailer. I agree a double axle trailer would trail nicer, but may not be necessary.
I am the original owner of a 1986 Hunter 23 and have the same galvanized single axle trailer you have described. I have never had any problems, either trailering or launching. I have dry sailed the boat it's entire life, and launch each time it's used. There are two things I can think of that may cause problems. If the trailer has radial tires, this could cause sway, and it is probably better to have bias ply tires on the trailer. Also, if there is not enough tongue weight that will also cause the trailer to waddle. There should be between 250-300 lbs of tongue weight for that trailer (10% of total). I had to slide my boat forward on the trailer about 5" when it arrived from the factory. This might prevent you from having to spend all that money for a new trailer. I agree a double axle trailer would trail nicer, but may not be necessary.
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Gary Adams
thanks mark
Mark thanks for the input. I will check out the tongue weight. the thought had crossed my mind, however I dismissed it thinking it would be adjusted on the trailer properly. How did you check the tongue weight? I will also be replacing the tires soon as the old ones are dry rotted pretty bad. They are in fact radials. This seems to be the only trailer I have ever dreaded pulling down the road. I pull many miles thru the year competing in rodeos, and pull my silly "pelts" all over the place. I sure with I could find a boat trailer with a goose neck hook up. Thanks again Mark. Gary
Mark thanks for the input. I will check out the tongue weight. the thought had crossed my mind, however I dismissed it thinking it would be adjusted on the trailer properly. How did you check the tongue weight? I will also be replacing the tires soon as the old ones are dry rotted pretty bad. They are in fact radials. This seems to be the only trailer I have ever dreaded pulling down the road. I pull many miles thru the year competing in rodeos, and pull my silly "pelts" all over the place. I sure with I could find a boat trailer with a goose neck hook up. Thanks again Mark. Gary
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Mark Sanford
Right On with Tongue Weight
Mark was dead on about the tongue weight issue. My H23 was scary on the highway. I then discovered that the tongue weight was not much more than 30-40 lbs. Movement of the boat forward vastly improved the handling of the trailer. I still need to move it another few inches though. The other improvement would be to use a heavier tow vehicle. The V6 Dodge Caravan is only sufficient for very short hauls. Mark Sanford
Mark was dead on about the tongue weight issue. My H23 was scary on the highway. I then discovered that the tongue weight was not much more than 30-40 lbs. Movement of the boat forward vastly improved the handling of the trailer. I still need to move it another few inches though. The other improvement would be to use a heavier tow vehicle. The V6 Dodge Caravan is only sufficient for very short hauls. Mark Sanford
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Mark Warwick
You're welcome, Gary
With regards to the tongue weight, I loosened the bolts on the winch standard and slid it forward, then worked the boat forward using the winch. It may help to have a couple of guys pushing on the back of the boat, but it should slide. I then used a bathroom scale under the front jack and moved the boat until the scale showed about 275 lbs. If you replace those radials with a minimum load range C bias ply, and get the tongue weight correct, I think it will trailer fine. When my boat came from the factory, there was NO tongue weight at all, and that just doesn't work. Mark Warwick
With regards to the tongue weight, I loosened the bolts on the winch standard and slid it forward, then worked the boat forward using the winch. It may help to have a couple of guys pushing on the back of the boat, but it should slide. I then used a bathroom scale under the front jack and moved the boat until the scale showed about 275 lbs. If you replace those radials with a minimum load range C bias ply, and get the tongue weight correct, I think it will trailer fine. When my boat came from the factory, there was NO tongue weight at all, and that just doesn't work. Mark Warwick
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Roger
help stepping and unstepping
Looking for some help. This is my first trailerable boat and it was in the water when I bought it. I am looking for some info on how to step and unstep the mast. The trailer has a gin pole tied to it but I have never used one and I heard using the trailer wench makes it easier. Can one of you guys help me with some instructions? Thanks Roger
Looking for some help. This is my first trailerable boat and it was in the water when I bought it. I am looking for some info on how to step and unstep the mast. The trailer has a gin pole tied to it but I have never used one and I heard using the trailer wench makes it easier. Can one of you guys help me with some instructions? Thanks Roger
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