[Public-list] Trailering

Sun Feb 6 11:21:16 PST 2005

I was in a similar situation last summer and this is what I looked at.

First I tried to find a suitable boat trailer. New they are between $6G and 
$8G cnd http://www.yachtsales.com/trailers/mcs/sail.html and you have to 
get them shipped or pick them up. For me that would be quite the drive so 
added considerable expense.

Used trailers would seem to be a better route but finding one that fits 
turned out to be difficult for me. I was in the middle of the continent, 
local pickings were slim and the Alberg seems to be shorter than most boats 
it's weight. All the used trailers I found needed work to axles, tires and 
cradle. It seems people hold on to trailers until it needs repairs. People 
wanted thousands of dollars for trailers I was only prepared to pay 
hundreds for, but then the pickin's were slim and I was on a money and time 
budget so I don't think I was the target market.

I've used trailers before and place a high value on reliability. I've seen 
enough blown tires, failed bearings and even bent axles to know that trying 
to go on the cheap can be very expensive.

Because I already had a cradle I considered getting the boat shipped. But 
as you mentioned there is the problem of loading and unloading and I wanted 
the ability to move the boat repeatedly without having to incur too much 
expense and hassle.

So I started looking at flat deck trailers. There are thousands of them 
around so there is a much better selection. Again the used market seemed a 
little inflated because most of the used ones I looked at needed work. 
Tires are not cheap and rewiring and painting take money and time as well. 
Many of them had clear signs of being overloaded at one time or another. I 
still think that a good used flatdeck can be found quite cheap but it would 
take some time to check them all out. Trailers that sound great, even look 
great in photos, often had other problems, broken springs for example. 
Those could be the best deal if you have time to repair because some can be 
had for just a few hundred dollars.

But after checking out several used trailers I realized that I didn't have 
the time for that as I was also moving from one province to another.

So I started looking at new trailers. This is much easier because it is 
more like comparing apples to apples. You can compare at home rather than 
go look at every individual trailer.

You will need a drop deck otherwise you will be over the legal height. You 
need at least two and better yet three axles. Best to have elect brakes on 
all axles as local laws vary.

A 10,000# GWVR might do but the trailer would have to be very light. This 
is the major disadvantage of a flat deck. Because there is more trailer the 
payload is lower than a regular boat trailer.

My Alberg with cradle, engine, rigging, mast and boom (plus odds and ends) 
weighs over 10,000lbs so a 10,000lb GVWR trailer would be way overloaded.

I eventually found, after shopping for a couple of months, a 14,000lb 
trailer with two 7,000lb axles for $4G cnd. That doesn't mean it can 
legally handle 14,000lbs. I have a ball hitch which has a 12,000lb limit 
and my tires are only good for a bit more than 12,000lbs so even though the 
trailer has a 14,000lb GVWR my tires and hitch make the legal max closer to 
12,000lbs. Fully loaded with everything it weighed 13,600lbs so to be legal 
I would have to shed some weight from the boat or change to a pintle hitch 
and better tires. Happens to be easier for me to shed some weight but the 
option to haul everything on the trailer is there.

Disadvantages of this set up would be the need for a Class 3 drivers 
licence, I already have one so that didn't matter to me. Another 
disadvantage is the need for a cradle. Again I already had one (although it 
needs repairs) but one would have to be acquired or the trailer 
modified  to secure the boat. Yet another disadvantage is getting a truck 
with a 14,000lb tow rating.

I think for most people getting a proper boat trailer, either used or new 
(they can be sold after use), is the best route. You should be able to 
strip the boat down to the point where the trailer and boat would be less 
than 10,000lbs. No need for class 3 licence or trailer, and a much wider 
choice of tow vehicles.  BTW you will be overwidth but only by a few 
inches, even the meanest inspector is not likely to be concerned about that 
if everything else is in order.

http://www.jb0713.com/sail/trailer/6loaded.jpg

jb
Haefen #561

At 02:54 PM 2/5/2005 -0800, you wrote:
>Association Members,
>
>I am new to your organiztion and am need of your
>expertise. I am in the process of rescuing and
>restoring hull #85. She is in disrepair and it will
>take me several months to accomplish the overhaul.
>
>My initial challenge is transport. I am bringing the
>boat to my house in Tallahassee. I have arranged the
>haul out and to have the mast unstepped.
>Unfortunately, it will be impractical and maybe
>impossible to have a hydraulic trailer or crane place
>the boat on supports, then return six months later to
>reload the boat for a short trip to our nearest coast.
>My solution is to trailer the boat to my yard where I
>can work from my shop, then trailer to the boatyard in
>Carabelle, Fla for launch.
>
>I know that A30s are occasionally trailered and that
>some members have trailers. Is anyone selling or
>leasing their trailer? Or does anyone have a contact
>for a trailer? Also, I may purchase an equipment
>trailer and modify it or mount a cradle on it. Does
>anyone have a cradle for sale? Finally, can anyone
>give me some basic information if I have to modify a
>trailer? (Such as Basic Empty Weight of the A30 with
>the Atomic 4 onboard, and design spacing of the
>supports to accommodate the A30 hull.)
>
>Beautiful lines on these boats, I fell for them at
>first sight. Thank you in advance for any help you can
>give this novice.
>
>Jcoolray
>
>
>
>
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