How much trouble is trailering the 22? I'm expecting to do nothing but for awhile, so stepping the mast and trailering are two issues I need to know more about, having never done it before. Is stepping the mast a pain, or a breeze? Any feedback is appreciated.
Trailering for a novice
- Thread starter mbirms
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I'm very good at mast raising by myself using a ginpole system. Previously to raising the mast I have recorded my mast tension figures and know the amount I have backed my turnbuckles when I lowered the mast the time before. It takes me about 1 and 1/2 hours to raise the mast, tension the rigging, mount the sails, clean the cabin, mount the motor and fuel tank and load my gear. Launching is about 10 minutes.
I leave my trailer and boat parked at the marina lot and launch every time I sail. That way I don't have to re-rig every time and the launch and recover is about 10 minutes each way. This is my 3d trailer sailed boat. The Catalina trailer for the 22 has a extendable tongue that really helps with the launch. I leave it extended all summer.
Your first couple of times raising your mast should be done at home so you aren't rushed and have your tools handy. I would guess that if you can raise the mast in 1/2 a day that is real good. After 6 or so times it will be much faster. Write down the procedure and update it each time until it is perfect. By then you will be a PRO.
As for hauling the boat and trailer, any 1/2 ton truck or full size SUV will do nicely. I currently haul a much heaver trailer sailer with my 1/2 ton truck than the C22 so you won't have a problem. I saw your other post and you need to go for the C22. I'm 66 and fairly busted up and I'll be doing this until I tip over. Don't get a boat you will out grow in a year.
Good luck,
Ray
I leave my trailer and boat parked at the marina lot and launch every time I sail. That way I don't have to re-rig every time and the launch and recover is about 10 minutes each way. This is my 3d trailer sailed boat. The Catalina trailer for the 22 has a extendable tongue that really helps with the launch. I leave it extended all summer.
Your first couple of times raising your mast should be done at home so you aren't rushed and have your tools handy. I would guess that if you can raise the mast in 1/2 a day that is real good. After 6 or so times it will be much faster. Write down the procedure and update it each time until it is perfect. By then you will be a PRO.
As for hauling the boat and trailer, any 1/2 ton truck or full size SUV will do nicely. I currently haul a much heaver trailer sailer with my 1/2 ton truck than the C22 so you won't have a problem. I saw your other post and you need to go for the C22. I'm 66 and fairly busted up and I'll be doing this until I tip over. Don't get a boat you will out grow in a year.
Good luck,
Ray
My C-22 Trailering Experience
We trailered both our Capri-18 and our C-22 MK-II version,(both wing keels, both with the factory mast raising systems). We had setting up the Capri-18 down to about 35 minutes, but we've gotten a bit lazy now because we joined a local yacht club with dry storeage and a crane. The boat is kept fully rigged on the trailer, and all we have to do is disconnect the rear stay and swing the boom out of the way to connect the lifting harness to the crane,(they even have electric mules to move the boat from the storage spot to the crane). We can be in the water within 10-15 minutes after we arrive at the club. We still trailer our C-22 several times a year, and set-up probably runs 45 minutes to an hour, we just plan accordingly, and don't rush the process. That's another nice thing about having the boat dry stored at the yacht club. When trailering, it was a two day commitment. I wouldn't take the boat out for just the day. But it's no big deal now to take the boat our for the afternoon. I must say, raising the mast on our C-22 is much easier than the Capri-18. I believe this is because the gin pole is so much longer, because the distance from the mast to the bow is greater on the C-22 than the Capri-18. Another bit of time during the set-up with our C-22 is due to the trailer lighting wiring. I've made the trailer wiring into a removeable harness so I don't have to worry about dunking the wiring and lights in salt water anymore. Works pretty slick, and avoids trailer lighting issues, but takes 5-10 minutes to remove, or install. Another trick we learned is using two-sided velcro strapping for securing the stays, and trailer wiring. Holds strong and quick to remove. Years ago when we had our original C-22, I man-handled the task of mast raising. I was a lot younger back then, and I still hated the task. I must say, the factory mast raising system is well worth the expense!
Don
We trailered both our Capri-18 and our C-22 MK-II version,(both wing keels, both with the factory mast raising systems). We had setting up the Capri-18 down to about 35 minutes, but we've gotten a bit lazy now because we joined a local yacht club with dry storeage and a crane. The boat is kept fully rigged on the trailer, and all we have to do is disconnect the rear stay and swing the boom out of the way to connect the lifting harness to the crane,(they even have electric mules to move the boat from the storage spot to the crane). We can be in the water within 10-15 minutes after we arrive at the club. We still trailer our C-22 several times a year, and set-up probably runs 45 minutes to an hour, we just plan accordingly, and don't rush the process. That's another nice thing about having the boat dry stored at the yacht club. When trailering, it was a two day commitment. I wouldn't take the boat out for just the day. But it's no big deal now to take the boat our for the afternoon. I must say, raising the mast on our C-22 is much easier than the Capri-18. I believe this is because the gin pole is so much longer, because the distance from the mast to the bow is greater on the C-22 than the Capri-18. Another bit of time during the set-up with our C-22 is due to the trailer lighting wiring. I've made the trailer wiring into a removeable harness so I don't have to worry about dunking the wiring and lights in salt water anymore. Works pretty slick, and avoids trailer lighting issues, but takes 5-10 minutes to remove, or install. Another trick we learned is using two-sided velcro strapping for securing the stays, and trailer wiring. Holds strong and quick to remove. Years ago when we had our original C-22, I man-handled the task of mast raising. I was a lot younger back then, and I still hated the task. I must say, the factory mast raising system is well worth the expense!
Don
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Hi Mbirms,
Welcome to the site. If you haven't trailered anything before you should find a empty shopping center lot like Walmart and get some foam coffee cups to use as traffic cones. Set your cups around the painted parking slots so you can practice driving a straight line, a turn to the right, and a turn to the left (you may need water in the cups if its windy). Make your lane ten feet wide then reduce them to eight feet when you get good.
Then place a straight line of cups spaced apart the total length of your boat + trailer + fifteen feet. A line of six would be enough. Do a slalom weaving in and out down the row in forward. When you get good try backing.
Finally place cones along a parking slot and back in doing a turn from the right and back in turning to the left. Have a few cones set as the end line so you can plan your stop before running them over. This is good for the driveway and marinas you'll be pulling in to. Take it slow so you don't jackknife the trailer.
As you can imagine you'll need plenty of room and a vacant lot, not Kittery Trading Post to practice. Also every ramp slopes downhill which also takes practice. Don't worry about getting out to look when you are unsure of where the trailer is, every prudent driver would. Good luck with driving through downtown Kennybunkport and keep one eye for the old man at Walker's Point.
Once you get comfortable, put the boat on the trailer. It will feel different sometimes due to size and weight. The Maine DMV may have some of this on line for truck driver training. Have fun.
All U Get
Thanks for your input. I had a feeling this was more involved than I'm interested in at the moment. I want the spontaneity of a late afternoon sail, so I'm better off with a small daysailer of 17' to 19'. OR, is there simply no such thing as a "spontaneous" sail as long as your trailering?
Mbirms,
I have trailered a 19' Lightning, cartopped a sunfish, and trailered our Cat 22. I can't say that any of these is conducive to spontaneous or impromptu outings. The daysailer takes about as long to rig as the 22 especially if your taking the time to tune everything. Having a partner helps but doesn't appreciably speed things up. Launch time is about the same also, but the heavier craft presents it's particular challenges including extending the trailer tongue. Benefits of trailerable boat include choice of sailing locatiion, saving mooring or slip fees for season. Some of our chooice spots are 2 to 2 1/2 hrs away, add an hour to set up and another to break down and you have a day's work in travel and launching. I don't do it for less than an overnight anymore. Mast-up storage would certainly maximize time on the water and is typically 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a slip in a given area.
Clint
Mbirms, If you have a marina where you can leave your boat on the trailer fully rigged then all you do is hook up and splash. When done just recover and park.
We have done this for 10 years and sail 4 to 5 times a week all summer long. We usually start at 3 pm and end about 7:30 to 8 pm. Keeping the boat in a slip for the 4 months of summer is $1200 to $1500. Keeping it on the trailer and launching is $200 for the entire year. Raising the mast every time you want to sail really doesn't work out very well.
Ray
We have done this for 10 years and sail 4 to 5 times a week all summer long. We usually start at 3 pm and end about 7:30 to 8 pm. Keeping the boat in a slip for the 4 months of summer is $1200 to $1500. Keeping it on the trailer and launching is $200 for the entire year. Raising the mast every time you want to sail really doesn't work out very well.
Ray
Go to a boat ramp for a day visit both at rush hour and lets get outahere(do not take a boat just lunch). Watch how those who know what they need to do are able to get in and out (special attention to those who float their boats on and off the trailers). Watch how those who want to get in and out learn what to do. Do it the first way.
Have the seller(or sailor) step and unstep the mast for you then you do it while they're still there, which resolves issues of proper rigging, procedure and missing parts.
Check with DMV. Learn to back the trailer using mirrors only.(have best mirrors) Practice. Its easer to turn a straightened trailer than to turn a trailer straight. There's more but it's as if explaining how to ride a bike.
Have the seller(or sailor) step and unstep the mast for you then you do it while they're still there, which resolves issues of proper rigging, procedure and missing parts.
Check with DMV. Learn to back the trailer using mirrors only.(have best mirrors) Practice. Its easer to turn a straightened trailer than to turn a trailer straight. There's more but it's as if explaining how to ride a bike.
I think at the very least we'll not go bigger than 16 to 18 feet, but it sounds like there's no easy way to rig even the small boats for a "spontaneous" sail. There are certainly a lot of marinas in Maine, and finding one that provides good sailing in sheltered waters won't be hard. Thanks for your experienced advice.
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