I’m the second owner of our 1980 C-22 (“Windswept”, sail #9979). It is stored in a mast-up boat-yard at the lake where we sail (Lake Pleasant, AZ). We hitch-up, drive a few hundred yards to launch, and off we go - works great. But, we want to explore new sailing areas (nearby Roosevelt Lake, Lake Meade, Lake Havasu, San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Catalina Island … there are so many possibilities). So, my main project for this winter is to make the trailer safe and road-ready. The frame is solid and in good condition; but, I need to replace the wiring, lights, tires, bunks, and brakes (planning on having new disc brakes, brake lines, actuator, etc., installed).
Here’s the problem - we have NEVER trailered our boat, other than with the mast-up for the short haul to-and-from the storage lot to the boat ramp at Lake Pleasant. I have never even taken the mast down. So, I have a few questions - any and all tips, suggestions, etc., greatly appreciated.
- taking-down / putting-up the mast: does anyone have a good “checklist” for this procedure? I know the mainsail and boom need to be removed, and the forestay and the forward shrouds need to be removed before the mast can be lowered. What else needs to happen? Any good tips for this process, or for securing all the halyards, shrouds, turnbuckles, other lines and hardware, etc., for travel?
- trailer wiring: any suggestions on a good trailer wiring kit? There are many to choose from out there - my inclination is to just go to etrailer.com and order one. I'm open to better suggestions. Installing a new trailer wiring kit looks pretty easy.
- mast storage while trailering: Catalina Direct (CD) sells a “Mastup Mast Stepper” for supporting the mast from the stern while in transit, and for aiding in raising the mast. And, they also sell a nice “Fiberglass Mast Carrier Kit”, which cradles the mast and secures it to the pulpit for traveling. Some C-22 owners have fashioned their own pulpit carrier from PVC pipe, 2”x4”s, plywood, etc. Has anyone had experience with the CD products? Any other better alternatives to suggest? Pros and cons of the CD products versus home-made? What works for you?
- motor: when trailering the boat, do you leave the motor in-place, or do you take it off the outboard motor mount and stow it in the cockpit, or the tow vehicle, for travel? Having the weight of the outboard hanging off the back of the boat, and subjected to jarring road conditions at highway speeds, would seem to put a lot of stress on the motor-mount bolts and stern. Leave it mounted or take it off?
- over-the-road safety kit: what is in your “safety kit” for trailering your boats? Which spare parts (extra bungees, turnbuckles?, wheel bearings, etc.) do you take along to ensure that you can safely arrive at your destination, and successfully rig and launch?
- other related tips, tricks, and information: any other tips on preparing the C-22 for over-the-road travel, and for safe trailering? All tips, best practices, ideas, welcomed.
Thanks in advance for your help!
- Bob
Here’s the problem - we have NEVER trailered our boat, other than with the mast-up for the short haul to-and-from the storage lot to the boat ramp at Lake Pleasant. I have never even taken the mast down. So, I have a few questions - any and all tips, suggestions, etc., greatly appreciated.
- taking-down / putting-up the mast: does anyone have a good “checklist” for this procedure? I know the mainsail and boom need to be removed, and the forestay and the forward shrouds need to be removed before the mast can be lowered. What else needs to happen? Any good tips for this process, or for securing all the halyards, shrouds, turnbuckles, other lines and hardware, etc., for travel?
- trailer wiring: any suggestions on a good trailer wiring kit? There are many to choose from out there - my inclination is to just go to etrailer.com and order one. I'm open to better suggestions. Installing a new trailer wiring kit looks pretty easy.
- mast storage while trailering: Catalina Direct (CD) sells a “Mastup Mast Stepper” for supporting the mast from the stern while in transit, and for aiding in raising the mast. And, they also sell a nice “Fiberglass Mast Carrier Kit”, which cradles the mast and secures it to the pulpit for traveling. Some C-22 owners have fashioned their own pulpit carrier from PVC pipe, 2”x4”s, plywood, etc. Has anyone had experience with the CD products? Any other better alternatives to suggest? Pros and cons of the CD products versus home-made? What works for you?
- motor: when trailering the boat, do you leave the motor in-place, or do you take it off the outboard motor mount and stow it in the cockpit, or the tow vehicle, for travel? Having the weight of the outboard hanging off the back of the boat, and subjected to jarring road conditions at highway speeds, would seem to put a lot of stress on the motor-mount bolts and stern. Leave it mounted or take it off?
- over-the-road safety kit: what is in your “safety kit” for trailering your boats? Which spare parts (extra bungees, turnbuckles?, wheel bearings, etc.) do you take along to ensure that you can safely arrive at your destination, and successfully rig and launch?
- other related tips, tricks, and information: any other tips on preparing the C-22 for over-the-road travel, and for safe trailering? All tips, best practices, ideas, welcomed.
Thanks in advance for your help!
- Bob