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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Rear trailer guides for boat alignment

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Second Wind53
1st Mate

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Canada
45 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/20/2007 : 14:31:28

Hi I'm new to the forum, bought a 1995 250WB last summer and have only launched the boat off the trailer once and had a problem with aligning the boat over the trailer when pulling boat back out.

Has anyone put struts up at the back of the trailer like the ski boat people have?

Thanks.

Peter
C250 WB #94

95 250WB #90
Vancouver, BC

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 18:52:00

I use them for my O'Day Daysailer. Really simplifies recovery. I'm not going to trailer my WK but that trailer has a guide for the keel that would probably preclude the need for the white PVC poles.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 21:09:11

On our last recover, we dropped the bow bunk, it made recovery a breeeeeze!
Our 'poles' are almost 10' tall so it makes it pretty easy to get the alignment right now. Dropping the bow bunk takes seconds and less than a minute to put it back up, it also totally removes the issue of the boat balancing on the bow bunk during pull out.

Paul.

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Second Wind53
1st Mate

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Canada
45 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 10:12:26

We collapsed one of the keel centering bunks when having the trailer in a bit deep to see if it was aligned. Was able to straighten it back on the ramp and recover the boat with trailer a little less deep in the water.
The boat goes on the trailer quite slick but it still is a 25 foot boat and I worry about doing damage on a bad recovery.

Does anybody have pictures or sketches for alignment poles?

Peter

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 10:48:11

Welcome

to the forum Peter and congratulations with your new '95 C250 WB We're thrilled to learn of another C250 in the Vancouver, BC area. Our boat is also a '95 C250 #151 WB

It would be a real pleasure to meet and do some sharing and comparing... Only problem

is we are presently in Florida with the boat and won't be home until sometime August '07.

We live in Langley, BC and have (had) a slip at Point Roberts Marina, WA and sailed Harrison Lake the Gulf Islands and the San Juan's. You gonna love that boat... besides... it makes a wonderful 5th wheel
(You may have an interest in our trip reports, "living on board full time and going South", one to nine, on this forum to get some impression of the capability of the boat)

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Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 12:19:36

Peter,

I have a Trail-Rite trailer, that has a step behind the 2nd axle.
The guide posts are mounted to the step.

The posts are 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square galvanized steel.
They are 6' long, bent with a 14" base.

They are covered with 2" PVC pipe and 6' long.
The ends have caps which allow the pipe to float during launching.

Russ #793

Guide Posts with PVC

Guide Posts without PVC
The posts have to be above the rub rail.

Guide Post Base mounted to the trailer step

Edited by - Russ.Johnson on 03/21/2007 23:57:17

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2007 : 07:02:38

Russ, we replaced our 6' poles with 10' poles. When the boat is afloat and the trailer in the water, the top of the pole is below the rub rail, we actually scratched the hull when the boat was lining up. The tall poles prevent that happening. The tall poles have a secondary value .. help support the tarp.

Do you jack your trailer all the time or were you doing repairs in that 2nd pic?

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 03/22/2007 07:02:56

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2007 : 11:42:00

Paul,
We haven't had a problem with the 6' poles.
I'm pretty sure the trapped air makes them float during launch.
I know you don't want them to get caught under the rub rail.
But since the rub rail is about 3' above the waterline, they may not float high enough.
I'll check next time to see how high they float.

The boat is parked in the driveway and I don't think the neighbors would like a big blue tarp.
I always jack up the trailer when parked more than a month.
It saves the tires and wheel bearings. I also cover the tires.
Next, the driveway is slanted, so the port is jacked higher than starboard.
Rain would puddle in the port cockpit locker and in the anchor locker (starboard drain).
In the last picture, you can also see I chain the tires to the frame.
It doesn't get cold enough to put the tires in the garage for the winter.

Russ #793

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Second Wind53
1st Mate

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Canada
45 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2007 : 12:58:30

Thanks Russ good pictures. I notice that the upright portion of the post is not quite perpendicular. Is this to keep the bottom of the post out of harms way?
Looks like a real professional install.

I am sourcing out galvanized tubing around here.

Thanks again.

Peter

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2007 : 23:17:05

Peter,

Yes, the Catalina dealer installed the guide posts.
The rub rail is wider than the axle so it does flair out.
I never really looked that closely before.

Welcome to the forum.
There's quite a few folks that like to help.

Russ #793

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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.