Trailers Trailers Trailers

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Sea Wolf

I asked before, but I think I should rephrase.... I'm looking for a 25'-27' sailboat. Maybe a Catalina, maybe an Ericson, maybe something else if the price and specs are right. The problem I'm running into is: I need to be able to trailer it and ramp launch it so I'm not tied down to my area alone and to cut down on slip fees--I'm just getting my feet wet in this endeavor; maybe that's a bad expression here :) But there are a ton of good deals out there for boats in slips--without trailers. Some outright steals. Of course, then a $150/mo and up slip fee goes along with it and I have to pay a boat transport outfit a big chunk of change to bring it home for me and then I'm tied down to my area. I'm new to this game, but it appears that finding trailers for particular sailboats is not easy. I would have thought since Catalinas, for example, are rather abundant, that there would be some trailers out there. But I'm not having much luck locating them. 2 things seem to be standing in my way. 1st, I just am not finding many boats for sale WITH trailers; OR trailers by themselves for common boats--at least not for a boat in the size range I'm looking at. 2nd, even if I could find a trailer seperately, I'm not clear on how to figure out if any given trailer would be compatible with particular sailboats. Unlike a run of the mill small speedboat or something, it's apparent that, due to hull/keel size and shape among other factors, any given sailboat needs a trailer specifically built for that make and model. Can anybody help me out in a) locating trailers, b) understanding how to match a trailer to a particular boat. If specifics help in answering this question, assume we're talking about a Catalina 25 or 27. But solving this problem in general also would really help open up a range of affordable boats to me. Thanks for any input.
 
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Sea Wolf

I asked before, but I think I should rephrase.... I'm looking for a 25'-27' sailboat. Maybe a Catalina, maybe an Ericson, maybe something else if the price and specs are right. The problem I'm running into is: I need to be able to trailer it and ramp launch it so I'm not tied down to my area alone and to cut down on slip fees--I'm just getting my feet wet in this endeavor; maybe that's a bad expression here :) But there are a ton of good deals out there for boats in slips--without trailers. Some outright steals. Of course, then a $150/mo and up slip fee goes along with it and I have to pay a boat transport outfit a big chunk of change to bring it home for me and then I'm tied down to my area. I'm new to this game, but it appears that finding trailers for particular sailboats is not easy. I would have thought since Catalinas, for example, are rather abundant, that there would be some trailers out there. But I'm not having much luck locating them. 2 things seem to be standing in my way. 1st, I just am not finding many boats for sale WITH trailers; OR trailers by themselves for common boats--at least not for a boat in the size range I'm looking at. 2nd, even if I could find a trailer seperately, I'm not clear on how to figure out if any given trailer would be compatible with particular sailboats. Unlike a run of the mill small speedboat or something, it's apparent that, due to hull/keel size and shape among other factors, any given sailboat needs a trailer specifically built for that make and model. Can anybody help me out in a) locating trailers, b) understanding how to match a trailer to a particular boat. If specifics help in answering this question, assume we're talking about a Catalina 25 or 27. But solving this problem in general also would really help open up a range of affordable boats to me. Thanks for any input.
 
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Sea Wolf

Ok, I finally found some information. I added the link to bbs.trailersailor.com. Now it looks like in addition to learning to sail and what boats have what characteristics, I've got a whole other complex issue to deal with. The 25' boats are looking better for trailering. Thanks for any advice re: my original posting.
 
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Sea Wolf

Ok, I finally found some information. I added the link to bbs.trailersailor.com. Now it looks like in addition to learning to sail and what boats have what characteristics, I've got a whole other complex issue to deal with. The 25' boats are looking better for trailering. Thanks for any advice re: my original posting.
 
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David

check these folks out...

Triad trailers. Catalina 25 with swing keel is no problem to trailer. Fixed keel boats are a much larger challenge. A Cat 27 displaces ~7000 lbs but I suspect it is more like 8000 lbs. I have no idea what Triad's trailers weigh but I would guess none weigh less than 2000 lbs, so right away you are @ 10,000 lbs. Nothing less than a 1 ton truck is going to pull this with any margin of safety.
 
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Herb Parsons

You might need to modify your search or budget

The problem is exactly what you've already discovered. Seldom do you find a boat and trailer (in that size range) for sale together. One of the reasons you find so many good deals on boats in a slip is that the owner has grown tired of the boat, or is just no longer interested, and doesn't want to pay the slip fees. If he could drop it on his trailer, he'd just pull it and park it someplace. So, you really have a few choices: Be patient, and look for a deal with a boat AND trailer. Pick a boat, and have a trailer built for it (expect to pay $3000-$4000 for a trailer). Pick a boat that is easy to have a trailer customized, and then buy a used trailer seperately (expect to pay $600-$1000 for a decent used trailer, they're hard to find) A swing keel or centerboard keel boat is what you want for that. Watch for used sailboat trailers, and then look for a boat that works on it. I know, sounds stupid, but when customized trailers go for $2000, and used 25' sailboats can be found for $1000-$2000, you might have better success this way. My more immediate choice, were I you, would be to look for a boat with a swing keel, or a centerboard. My boat is a centerboard O'Day 25, and I think it's great for what you're talking about, but even it has a customized trailer. I keep it in a wet slip, but trailer it from time to time. My brother has a Rhodes 22 that's also a centerboard model, and he's trailer shopping as well, but this boat looks like it would be pretter eays to find a trailer. Fairly flat bottom is the key, I think.
 
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Hector Mujica

Don't give up yet !

It's possible that you do not need any input by now,nor any more suggestions. But I am quite familiar with your issue; 5 years ago I went through the same path. I have now a Seidelmann 25 with a "custom" trailer, the boat has a fixed keel, so I use a "lift". Why ? it's 99% less headaches for a boat of this weight and characteristics The problem is that you want to back-up your trailer using a ramp, with a boat of the size you are thinking. My advice : "You MUST change some of your parameters. This is my experince in the Cheasapeake Bay; 90% of the available ramps would NOT work for launching a sailboat of that type, unless it has a full rounded bottom and almost no keel at all. (like the new trailer boats that are water ballasted ). The logic alternative for your demands is to find a marina that operates a travel lift. There you go expending at least $150 "one way", they place your boat in the water, if you request both ways(in and out of the water) they may give you a discount. Assuming you find a deep ramp - one that has a sharp entry angle - so your boat will float in a short distance, you have to contend with three very serious and dangerous problems: A- You better have a 4x4 powerfull vehicle to pull out and/or back-up into the ramp without going all the way into the brink! I have personnaly seen/witnessed two such incidents,one of them resulting in the death by drawning of the driver. B. Even if you use a trailer tonge extension, ramps are notoriously slipery, the weight of the trailer/sailboat combination will raise the front end of your vehicle, therefore you must use an equalizing hitch to distribute some of the rear "mass" to the front wheels (4x4), otherwise you'll be spinning and the marina tractor will have come to your rescue for a price.(more $$). C. PLEASE Remember this ALL ramps have an end and most are not marked correctly. Of course unseen to you, underwater. Some ramps are long others are not, the tide also is a critical factor. ONCE you reach that end with your trailer wheels you'll drop your trailer much deeper than anticipated. I can assure you that you and your rigg will have to be rescued by a powerfull tractor! Remember your vehicle exhaust pipe works both ways-fumes out <> water in !! I hope you make a wise decision concerning boat size and trailer. Any "tandem" or "triple" trailer can be modified and customized to fit any boat. Please get back to me because I am curious about your decision.
 
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Hector Mujica

Don't give up yet !

It's possible that you do not need any input by now,nor any more suggestions. But I am quite familiar with your issue; 5 years ago I went through the same path. I have now a Seidelmann 25 with a "custom" trailer, the boat has a fixed keel, so I use a "lift". Why ? it's 99% less headaches for a boat of this weight and characteristics The problem is that you want to back-up your trailer using a ramp, with a boat of the size you are thinking. My advice : "You MUST change some of your parameters. This is my experince in the Cheasapeake Bay; 90% of the available ramps would NOT work for launching a sailboat of that type, unless it has a full rounded bottom and almost no keel at all. (like the new trailer boats that are water ballasted ). The logic alternative for your demands is to find a marina that operates a travel lift. There you go expending at least $150 "one way", they place your boat in the water, if you request both ways(in and out of the water) they may give you a discount. Assuming you find a deep ramp - one that has a sharp entry angle - so your boat will float in a short distance, you have to contend with three very serious and dangerous problems: A- You better have a 4x4 powerfull vehicle to pull out and/or back-up into the ramp without going all the way into the brink! I have personnaly seen/witnessed two such incidents,one of them resulting in the death by drawning of the driver. B. Even if you use a trailer tonge extension, ramps are notoriously slipery, the weight of the trailer/sailboat combination will raise the front end of your vehicle, therefore you must use an equalizing hitch to distribute some of the rear "mass" to the front wheels (4x4), otherwise you'll be spinning and the marina tractor will have come to your rescue for a price.(more $$). C. PLEASE Remember this ALL ramps have an end and most are not marked correctly. Of course unseen to you, underwater. Some ramps are long others are not, the tide also is a critical factor. ONCE you reach that end with your trailer wheels you'll drop your trailer much deeper than anticipated. I can assure you that you and your rigg will have to be rescued by a powerfull tractor! Remember your vehicle exhaust pipe works both ways-fumes out <> water in !! I hope you make a wise decision concerning boat size and trailer. Any "tandem" or "triple" trailer can be modified and customized to fit any boat. Please get back to me because I am curious about your decision.
 
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Kevin

Searching for Boats with Trailers

Try www.boattraderonline.com - they have a keyword search function that will allow you to search for boats with trailers. Why other boats for sale sites, including this one, don't have this feature is a mystery to me! They also have a link in the side frame that will allow a search for just a trailer. You are probably better off with a swing keel, shallow wing or water ballast to ramp launch, though here in Colorado bigger and deeper keeled boats are ramp launched and pulled every season. I sail a timeshare J22 that is launched that way - but as I have not done it, I'll leave the comments on "how-to" to those who have.
 
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Kevin

Searching for Boats with Trailers

Try www.boattraderonline.com - they have a keyword search function that will allow you to search for boats with trailers. Why other boats for sale sites, including this one, don't have this feature is a mystery to me! They also have a link in the side frame that will allow a search for just a trailer. You are probably better off with a swing keel, shallow wing or water ballast to ramp launch, though here in Colorado bigger and deeper keeled boats are ramp launched and pulled every season. I sail a timeshare J22 that is launched that way - but as I have not done it, I'll leave the comments on "how-to" to those who have.
 
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Bob

A good combo

A good friend of mine had an Ericson 25 centerboarder with trailer - it would be about what you are looking for. Good room below, well built, nice sailing qualities. However, like anything in this size range you are looking at a load that is more than the normal car, pickup, or van can handle. The boat was about 5000# bare, and with gear and including the trailer, you are towing pretty close to 7500#. So if you have a truck capable of pulling that kind of load, go for it - otherwise back down your requirements for length and space. You might want to consider a water ballast boat such as a Hunter 240 or 260 or a MacGregor 26 - some sailors don't like them, but they are definitely more mobile out of the water than fixed ballast boats of the same size.
 
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Bob

A good combo

A good friend of mine had an Ericson 25 centerboarder with trailer - it would be about what you are looking for. Good room below, well built, nice sailing qualities. However, like anything in this size range you are looking at a load that is more than the normal car, pickup, or van can handle. The boat was about 5000# bare, and with gear and including the trailer, you are towing pretty close to 7500#. So if you have a truck capable of pulling that kind of load, go for it - otherwise back down your requirements for length and space. You might want to consider a water ballast boat such as a Hunter 240 or 260 or a MacGregor 26 - some sailors don't like them, but they are definitely more mobile out of the water than fixed ballast boats of the same size.
 
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