Hi all,

Ongoing with my Nacra 5.5 project (disassembled, need to replace beams), I have picked up an old, lightweight dinghy trailer I plan to modify to fit the cat. I am interested in seeing some pics of people's trailer setups for similar boats. And any ideas for the least complicated but proper way to make some sort of hull cradles for the cat, and how to raise and attach them up and outboard on the trailer frame. I have the ability to do some simple welding. I was thinking of simply 2x6 or 2x8 boards, attached at right angles to each other along one edge, forming a V. Covering this is some old carpet, and attaching to some metal supports welded along each side to raise the V-boards up and out. Does this sound reasonable?

The trailer is 18ft from hitch to taillights, and 6.5ft between the inside walls of the tires. I plan to extent the front bar that the hitch is attached to by several feet, as well as hanging the boat a foot or two out the back, so that the hulls will have enough clearance not to hit the car when the trailer is turned (!!!). The cool thing about this trailer is that the axles can move fore and aft along a series of mounting holes, to customize the trailer for proper balance and tongue weight.

I also have some ideas for mast support uprights, and I'd like them to fold down or be removable, as I have a very low-roof carport I plan to store it under (low on one side, due to steep roof to reduce snow loading).

Any thoughts and photos appreciate!





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Tom
Hobie Getaway, Nacra 5.5, Hobie Tiger
Wish list: A-cat classic, F16 Viper!
Northern California
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All you need is a couple of 8 ft cross-beams and rollers or cradles. They would go under the main frame to lower the center of gravity for the entire load. I use 4 cradles adapted from bow stops, and rollers at the rear.





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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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I thought these boats might be a little fragile for rollers? ie. need more support along the length of each hull.

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Tom
Hobie Getaway, Nacra 5.5, Hobie Tiger
Wish list: A-cat classic, F16 Viper!
Northern California
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Here is N5.7 with single rollers.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…tamaran-w-2ftrailer.html

If you are concern, you can get cradles.
http://www.murrays.com/13-1412.html

I use home made removable cradles on the top of the bow stops and wheels on the back. I've made it from a piece of carpet backed with some resin and fiberglass. Works like a charm and have cost me near to nothing...

I would stay away from using wood for your trailer. Other than a temporary solution, wood is subject to crack and rot.

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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Quote

I thought these boats might be a little fragile for rollers? ie. need more support along the length of each hull.

I would not use straight rollers, as you say the hulls are more fragile than the skeg hulls of a 5.0 or 5.7. I made "cradles" out of a piece of that 12" light green sewer pipe. It cuts easy with a recip or jig saw, then soften the edges with a palm sander & 80 grit.
I have not done it but someone here, (Jenna Meyer??) molded the pipe via her over & about 350* I think. Do a search for that thread.
Boards will work for support, use pressure treated lumber & paint any cuts with preservative, it will last for years. You may need to be careful sliding the boat on & off, if it has centre or daggerboards. It is easy to pull the bottom gaskets off.

Be sure to measure the INSIDE dimension between your hulls, you may find it is not wide enough to fit the OUTSIDE dimension of your trailer wheels/fenders....& you do need those fenders!
If it won't, it is easier to find a different trailer than try to narrow the one you have, or load the Cat so it sits above the wheels/fender.
Hinge your mast support at the bottom, then hinge another section to it, a couple of feet up. You can raise the support bar to vertical, & the 2nd leg can then be pinned to the tongue, at the appropriate position.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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All great ideas, thank you. I'll be loading the cat above the fenders as I don't think it's wide enough to go outside of them.

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Tom
Hobie Getaway, Nacra 5.5, Hobie Tiger
Wish list: A-cat classic, F16 Viper!
Northern California
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