winterizing disaster 23.5

[sailboat738]

well it was time to get the boat out of the lake for the first time . i boaght the boat at the dock
i got the boat to the ramp
backed the trailer down and i got the swing keel up
i then got it on the trailer as i pulled forward i had some one watching
the rudder didn't kick up it was jammed the font of the boat raised up smacked against the roller on the trailer
broke off a 4 in section of the bow (repairable ) smacked back down on the trailer and broke on of the boards it sits on . all repairable but what an experience for first time getting out of the water the thing i was dreading lowering the mast was so easy
not looking forward to re floating next year to look for any leaks

 

[SoggieLoggie]

Sorry to hear about your adventure. I think you are supposed to loosen the friction nut on the rudder housing and lift the rudder manually before attempting a trailer landing. I launched and recovered my H26 for the first time this year and it was a handful with the wind blowing. I wouldn't want to do that every weekend. Good luck with your repairs!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

If in the future, feel free to contact and I will advise on what needs to be done as I wrote the book on these boats.

dave condon

 

[sesmith]

In the future...here's how we do it.

Pull the centerboard up. Loosen the nut on the rudder allowing it to float. Lower the boarding ladder. Push the tiller all the way to starboard. This will allow one person to step down on the boarding ladder and lift the rudder easily with one hand while the other person locks it in the up position. Lock the outboard motor up. Open the ballast drain and vent. Back the trailer down and pull the boat onto the trailer with a long bow line tied to the bow eye. Clip and crank the boat onto the trailer. Pull boat onto the ramp and let the ballast tank drain. Pull the boat onto level ground and crank it the rest of the way onto the trailer.

Always works. Never a problem. Hope your luck is better next season.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

One major addition. What ever ramp you use, inspect it first to make sure it is long enough. In addiotn, make sure where you take the boat/trailer to in order to lower the mast, walk that path to ensure no overhead interfernece primarily trees but most important , power lines.

As for winching the boat up onto the trailer tounge, You can also move foraward, brake gently which will help the boat move forward on the trailer toward the bow roller on the stand as winching will not get it seated all the way. Insure tire pressure is to specs, tie downs are in place but stop after 10-20 miles to check tie downs particualy the winch strap on the bow and rear boat tie down. To keep that strap from fllapping against the boat, you can twist it a few times to prevent that slapping against the hull.

 

[sailboat738]

thank you for the reply's guy's i will try these next time its not put me off yet

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

You are welcome sir.

crazy dave

 

[Deucer]

Trailer Trick

I've got a 260. To keep the boat from pulling away from the bow roller, I use a piece of galvanized chain (with a hook on one end) that I install once I winch the boat on the trailer while still in the water. It keeps the boat from sliding back on the bunks. Works ok.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

What many do not realize is the trailer is at an angle with the boat floating horizonital in the water. As you pull the trailer out to horizontal position, the boat will rest a little back on the trailer. If you try to force the bow into the bow roller and make it stay in place while pulling the boat out will put pressures in many places and I had to repair boats as a result to include the 23.5, 240, 26 and 260 as the bow eye came out altogether. What I instructed my customers to do is a simple bump once on level ground, tighten the winch strap to the bow eye twice. It took a few extra seconds but never did the bow eye pull out or loosen up due to the pressures exerted. You can also add the basically plastic pieces to the top of the bunk boards to help pull the boat a little easier onto the trailer but you will definitely need a tie down strap on the back of the boat to the trailer. This is based on experience of selling 20 to 25% of the entire water ballast series boats for Hunter.

 

[onecoolair]

What many do not realize is the trailer is at an angle with the boat floating horizonital in the water. As you pull the trailer out to horizontal position, the boat will rest a little back on the trailer. If you try to force the bow into the bow roller and make it stay in place while pulling the boat out will put pressures in many places and I had to repair boats as a result to include the 23.5, 240, 26 and 260 as the bow eye came out altogether. What I instructed my customers to do is a simple bump once on level ground, tighten the winch strap to the bow eye twice. It took a few extra seconds but never did the bow eye pull out or loosen up due to the pressures exerted. You can also add the basically plastic pieces to the top of the bunk boards to help pull the boat a little easier onto the trailer but you will definitely need a tie down strap on the back of the boat to the trailer. This is based on experience of selling 20 to 25% of the entire water ballast series boats for Hunter.

Rocking the boat on trailer while tensioning the winch also works.

 

[Britmick]

Now you've frightened me...........

Glad I have a boat lift & no desire to swap lakes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

One lesson with an experienced person will show you how easy it is. When I sold boats, part of the sale was instruction on mast raising, towing, launching and sailing with instructors but I did the trailer part. Even women can handle the 23.5 not to mention a 10 year old girl raising the mast.