Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Hauling the boat onto the trailer can be a very frustrating experience, epecially when the wind blows it sideways. Has anyone installed guiding posts on the trailer so that they keep the boat straight during the manoeuver? Thank you and Happy Sailing to everyone for this new year!!
Daniel Marion Zendo Cat 250 WB 2001 Hull #592 Valleyfield, QC, Canada
On Amazon, enter "boat trailer guides" and sit back... Want 'em with LED lights on top? How about foam pads with canvas covers?...
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Be careful, Many of the guides are just that, A visual guide when the trailer is submerged and are just PVC pipe. They are not intended to take much sideward force.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
Be careful, Many of the guides are just that, A visual guide when the trailer is submerged and are just PVC pipe. They are not intended to take much sideward force.
Ya, that inward angle of the bottom half of Henk's guides is probably intended to strengthen them against sideways pressure--almost like knee-braces but with a little more "give". A 5000+ lb. sailboat, mast up in a cross-wind, could push pretty hard on a post like that.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
You are correct. I am looking more at posts that will keep the boat straight than only be for guiding. I found a trailer manufacturer not far from my place that will probably be able to fit my trailer with sturdy posts. I will post pictures when it will be done in the spring. If I can find my boat under the snow...
Daniel Marion Zendo Cat 250 WB 2001 Hull #592 Valleyfield, QC, Canada
Looks like them... Looking at that pic, I'm thinking the reason for the inward angle might be to make it more likely the guide will contact the rub-rail rather than the hull--a worthwhile idea.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
I have had the curved Fulton guides on my C-22 trailer for many years. The curved design is to add strength, and they do not have metal rods inside the PVC pipe.They work very well. Positioning them aft of the widest point of your boat's beam is a good idea. You do not want your hull touching them while traveling as they will fub and damage the gel coat. With a tandem axle trailer, you will want them aft of the wheels which will negate the problem I mentioned. On my single axle C-22 trailer I originally placed them in front of the wheel well where the widest part of the hull was. Bad idea! Now they are behind the wheels.
DavidP 1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52 PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess" Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
With the trailer submerged out of sight in often murky water the guides clearly show the location of the boat in relation to the trailer. I fact the boat can be hand-held in place while the truck and trailer move forward while settling the boat on the trailer.
We usually stop on the ramp and still partly in the water with the boat just touching the bunks and hand-crank the boat further forward.
Henk & Johanna "Floating", a few off your "barnacles". "Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016) "Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018) "Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023) "Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.