Trailering the 22 Questions?

[Gary Wilkinson]

The day before yesterday, I bought a '75 O'Day 22. It is on an EZ Loader trailer. When I look at the boat sitting on the trailer, I'm thinking "EZ"? With the bottom of the hull 3' from the ground, can you launch and pick up at a ramp? It appears that the boat's waterline is 4' from the ground. I have not sailed the boat, so I don't really know what she draws. I am concerned that my truck will float first.When launching from the trailer, do you rig the mast on shore? Is this a one-man job? How do you start? If trailering is going to take all the fun out of this, I will either go for a slip or dry storage.Thanks,Gary

 

[Ben Allen]

Trailer Launching

Hi Gary,Congragulations on your new purchase. I sail an O'Day 26 and also have an EZ Loader trailer. When retriving and launching, you can do it one of two ways. (1) This is a system called rope launching. It involves backing the trailer down close to the water edge and blocking the tires, Disconnect from the trailer, and attach a tow rope between the trailer and vehicle. Pull up until you can remove the blocks, and then back the trailer WAY down into the water.Retrival is just a reverse. Method (2) is the method that I use. I just back down until the water is up about 5" on the rear tire, (not to the brakes), disconnect the bow eye and just push. Sometimes a little tap on the brakes will slide her off. On retriving, I have a two speed trailer winch, and I have no problems pulling the 26 on to the trailer. As a norm, I always rig the boat while it is on the trailer, good and steady. Good luck with your new boat, I know you will come to love her.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Wahoo"OD 26

 

[Paul Palmer]

Trailer launching

GaryDitto the congrats on your new boat! I sail a OD25 fixed keel with the water line about 7 feet off the ground when on the trailer. I use the first method that Ben described and once you have a system worked out it goes very smooth. I build a bracket that a spare tire rotates on that bolts to the front frame of the trailer to carry the weight of the front of the trailer when I back it into the water. The small wheel on your trailer jack is not strong enough to carry the weight especially on a rough ramp. After blocking the wheels I attach two 20ft nylon tow straps together and back boat and trailer into the lake until the boat floats off. Once you get the proper equipment it isn't as bad as it sounds. I put the boat in the water in the spring and take it out in the fall. If I had to do it everytime I sail I'm sure I would have a different opinion.Good LuckPaul Palmer

 

[Rob]

ODay 22 Trailering

I have a 73 ODay 22 which draws about 2'. Water line is about 3' off the ground on the trailer. My trailer is a shoreline which appears to have been originally designed for a sailboat. Keel about 10"-12" abovethe ground. I rig on the trailer usually, but have also rigged in the water. Not too big a job either way although a little more "rocky" on the water depending on how well the water is protected. I made an auxilary tounge (sic??) from a 4x4 post about 12' long. I attach it to the regular tounge using 2 u-bolts. I had them made up at an automotive spring outfit - not expensive. So when installed I have an extra long tounge that gets the trailer and boat further down the ramp. It works fine and not expensive.

 

[Kevin Meadows]

Getting off of the trailer

Gary, I have a 22' Oday which I use a trailer. I built the trailer myself. I have no problems getting the boat into or out of the water. I just back the trailer down to the water to where the boat floats then give her a slight push to nudge her off and then have the wife or son drive the vehicle and trailer away. To get her on the trailer, I motor up onto it, then pull her the rest of the way by hand/line. Once I get the trailer away from the water I spay her off real well.. I have not problem rigger her from with the trailer or while in the water, and can do it by myself or with the help of a fellow boater. Hope that this helps,Kevin Meadows