In the near future I will upgrade my galvanized trailer to cradles or possibly to another configuration. I was considering purchasing recycled plastic decking boards (2'x8' if available) and bolting them to the trailer crossbeams so that the boards run under the hulls length wise. The boards could be covered with marine carpet. I could even make a lip an the outer part of the boards to limit side movement. Any comments?
This is exactly what our H20 hulls are riding on, 2x8's with a close nap carpet. Basic standard cat trailer without rollers or cradles. As far as rocker goes, not much to a H20 but the exterior grade wood flexes enough to match the curve. The carpet remaining wet I don't see as much of an issue. The trailer has simple, non-tapered, 10 inch, vertical rollers, on the INSIDE, at four points, attaching at the crossbars (bottom) and an
arm
to support from the sail box at the top leaving a 1
gap between rollers and hulls. These are guides for loading, do not support any load, and also prevent side movement (don't recommend flying a hull with boat on trailer <img src=
alt=
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CatTrax will last you a lifetime (and many boats). I'd invest in one RIGHT NOW and forgo dumping money into an aluminum trailer. You'll get far more value from CatTrax ... and save maintenance on your hulls (and trailer) by not dragging your boat around on the beach or shore--or dropping your trailer in the water to launch your cat.
I'm with Rick and the Trailex-Admiration society. Mine is 30 years old and holds my new A-cat with a smile! After 25 years of TheMightyHobie18 and H20 racing, I put a beam support system on the Trailex so that the A-class carbon fiber hulls ride in the air. My back says,
Thank you very much!
everytime I lift these things. Heavy boats? BOOOOO! Sooo 20th Century! All obsolete! Run 60mph <img src=
alt=
/> and save some on drag. <img src=
alt=
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I've had painted, galvo, and Trailex. The painted ones are no good after a few years of fresh or salt water. They just don't hold up. Galvo are much better, but will eventually rust, especially in salt water. The aluminum is by far the best for a few reasons.
1)Weight. My trailer for my TheMightyHobie18 with the axel, wheels, and tires shipped to me with a weight less than 200 lbs.
2)Corrosion. Aluminum trailers will not rust. The only problem I have is with any glavo hardware attached to it. i.e. the bolts used to bolt the thing togeather. They may need replacing every decade or so. This depends on how well you wash the trailer down after submerging in slat water. If you sail in fresh they will last as long as the aluminum.
3)Ease of attaching accessories. The extruded aluminum pieces have a track on at least 2 of the faces of each piece that accept T bolts. You can bolt almost anything you want on them without haveing to drill holes in your trailer.
4)Longevity. They will probably last longer than your trailer.
These are just my opinions, but if you plan on being in the sport for a while, I would invest in one. Especially if you will sail in salt water.
Nick, you offer a very convincing argument to get a Trailex! My budget however, maxes out at 2 grand, and that's paying for first a H16, beach wheels (if not included), and then anything that needs replacing, like standing rigging, trap harnesses, tramp, tiller/rudder apparati, etc. Also later on I want to do a snazzy paint job and maybe get some good classic sails, like Carumba or something. I'm here in Florida for one more year of high school and then I'm off to college for 4 years, so I don't want to spill too much money into getting something that I'm only going to be using for a year and a few summers. Will I stay with sailing after college? I definitely hope so! But for all practical purposes, I don't have a job, and financially, things won't be better in college.
After that though, like 5 years from now when I'm the CEO of a S&P 500 company, a trailex will be on my wish list for sure! If I have a galvanized trailer, I'm definitely willing to take care of it by washing it down if it gets salty, which it will a few times I bet. As for the light weight of aluminum, my back is only 17 years old, and I can use the workout anyway. As for longetivity, heck, I might be sailing a Nacra 6.0 or something of larger caliber with my future wife on the French Riviera. Plus, I'll have to survive college first.
The one thing you say that is really benegicial to anyone, though, is the easiness of how things attach together like tinker toys. definitely good for adjusting between carrying a Wave one day, H16 another.
I have a trailer that we never use for a 10-year old Sea Doo jet boat (boat, not ski). The trailer is 5'6
wide and about 10 feet long with two 2 x 4's in the middle to support the boat. It turns out the trailer is 3 inches too thin to hold a Wave. I measured the distance between the bottom of the hulls (bottom of the V) of the Wave, and they're 5'9
apart.
what kind of structure can I build on that would hold the sailboat? I was thinking putting down a few 2 x 4's and then putting two sheets of 4' x 8' plywood, just like Mary's design, but the wheel wells protrude 5 inches up on the side. How can I build over the wheels? any ideas? I'll post a pic of the trailer when I get the chance. thanks again!
Will,
I understand where you are coming from. I bought my first cat when I was a super-senior in college (had to do the extra year, co-op). I had no money but wanted something fun to do on the weekends. My advice to budget cat sailors is to not worry about the aesthetics of the boat. Those can always be improved at a later date as the do not keep the boat from sailing. Invest in new rigging for safety issues. Don't let your trailer condition slide. I did this when I owned my H16. On the way to my camping/sailing vacation the front cross bar of my trailer failed. Fortunately it was only on one side and the boat was stiff enough to keep from dragging on the road or getting gouged by other parts of the trailer. I took some 4x4's and lashed them onto the cross bar to get me through the week and back home.
Speaking of that, attaching 4x4's to the trailer for cross beams works well for light boats like the Wave and H16. You can then attach roller or cradles to the 4x4.
As for using the sea doo trailer, the suspension is designed for a much heavier load. Most cat trailers are rated for about 1000 lbs. If you underload trailers they tend to bounce alot and beat up your load. So keep that in mind.