So after looking around at the debate between cradles and rollers i have decided to go with a double roller setup .magic tilt makes a roller assembly pn1550 from trailer depot in sarasota fl and i ordered extra rollers to make the double set up putting them front and rear so all the work is done on my 5.2 i won't have to worry about any paint issues or support ones either .If i want to later i can make cradles the attach to the rollers for more support .



Edited by spstack13 on May 31, 2018 - 04:20 PM.

Did you evaluate cradles in front and rollers at the rear? It sounds the ideal combination to me. The front takes most of the weight in the final position and the rear rollers work the most when bringing the boat up. I have cradles and am not concerned about hull paint or wear, but I would certainly appreciate less friction when launching or retrieving the boat.

I went with a hybrid, rollers with a cradle that drops over top. Got this idea from Dogboy. For trailering, the cradle takes all the load. When moving the cat on/off, just lift the hull an inch or two, pop the cradle out, and go with straight roller.
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=120221
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=120296



Edited by Edchris177 on May 31, 2018 - 09:10 PM.

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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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Quote

I went with a hybrid, rollers with a cradle

FIRE your crew!
that cat needs a bath and scrub!



Edited by MN3 on May 31, 2018 - 07:30 PM.

That photo was when I picked up an unloved H18 Magnum, and brought it back to life. I used my Trailex from the Nacra to haul it, & slipped those cradles onto the rollers.
The album is here,
https://www.thebeachcats.…fcf72792b8e172633d2113a3

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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
--

If you look a the roller assembly as is comes i going to remove the roller and make two 12 inch side bars and use the center point as a pivot i will use 3/16 x 2 inch galvie steel for the bars and that will increase the span and also the load. what size pipe is everyone using for the cradles?

I've got this new age wood and carpet technology I whipped up for my double trailer instead of having to make more fiberglass cradles. Just took a piece of treated 2x6 15" long and stuck a 2x4 up on each end that I beveled 45 degrees. Wrapped the whole thing in carpet and screwed on a smaller block under the 2x6 so it would fit the brackets for the cradle bolt instead of having to cut and weld them a little wider. Boom, 4 cradles for like 15 bucks.

tamumpower,

I think your approach is perfect. I've had the exact same thought, and would doing it for my rear cradles if I didn't have a CAD model and 3D printer available. As is I'm going to try and print some for $22 each in material, but I don't think these will work for a primary cradle, where the wood ones will!

Only other issue with wood is it rots. Marine grade ply would be better, but a coat of paint goes a long way.

I also recommend using EVA foam nowadays on cradles, drop carpet down to slide the boat but the EVA foam is far more less water absorptive and prevents gelcoat blistering when the boat is sitting for extended periods of time (I know, not good but even 2 weeks is enough with some systems!!).

-Sam

My trailer has rollers at the rear and rubber cradles at the front. The rollers seem nice and soft and have soft rubber guides that are angled to the inside, I would imagine they are angled this way for clearance issues. The front cradles really seem to keep the boat secure as well. The trailer is made by Ez-Loader, came with this set up and seems to work well. Simple and effective.

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Marty
1984 Hobie 16 Redline Yellow Nationals, "Yellow Fever"
Opelika, Al / Lake Martin
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