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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Trailer dims / COG needed

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palmtree
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/27/2011 : 10:33:44

I am in the process of putting a new trailer together for a C-25 SK. I have a C-25 in a cradle at the local marina to gather dimensions on, but I would like to ask where most people place the boat on the trailer. Specifically some known reference point (from winch or window) to the center of the tandem axles so that a the amount of tongue weight will be reasonably close. I am traveling a 150 miles to pick up the boat and do not want a lot of surprises when we go to place it on the trailer.

Palmer's
1984 C-25 SRSK
Elmira, NY

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2011 : 10:42:54

google catalina 25 trailer and check out the images. looks like the keel foot is centered to the axles with varying methods for the pointy end..

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2011 : 11:30:56

You always want just a little more weight to the front of the axles. I'm not sure if the keel is centered to the weight distribution of the hull though.

Edited by - NautiC25 on 12/27/2011 11:31:25

JeanAndre
Navigator

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USA
224 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2011 : 14:26:33

Hi Palmer,
I have a Catalina 25 and my boat is on the trailler right now.
I wil be at the boat sometime this week and I can take pictures of the key points and an overall picture if you want me to.
Does this help?
Cheers

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palmtree
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2011 : 14:34:32

Thanks for the input NautiC25 and Ape-X...

Jean Andre,
Thanks for the offer, if you could, if your trailer is on somewhat level ground, could you locate the center of the 2 axles via plumb bob to a know reference point on the boat (like a winch or something standard)? I have looked at a lot of pictures, but I am a little unsure of the angles they are taken at, but one might be enough if taken perpendicular to the trailer. Thanks!

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2011 : 08:37:44

I think you will find the Cog is just aft of the forward edge of the bottom of the keel.

You can discover this yourself very easily, assuming teh boat is up on blocks. Take a pair of jacks down and lift the cradle. If it tips forward, the COG is further forward. If it tips aft, the COG is further aft. you only need to lift the boat about a half inch. Watch the blocks on the corners to know where the load is moving.

Any hydraulic piston jack will work. I've done this a couple times now.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2011 : 12:13:45

On my fin keel trailer, the centerline of the first axle is 12 ft. from the back of the bow stop post and the 2 axles are 33" apart. The first pair of support pads (3 pair) and frame crossmember are about 102" from the back of the bow stop post. The trailer is set up to handle a fin or swing keel C-25. This puts the swing keel down on the keel pad right on top of, or maybe just in front of the rear axle, making it tongue light when I pull it out for bottom work. Ideally, I should probably move the axles back about 6-8", so you might want to place your first axle between 12.5 and 13 ft. from the bow stop post.
Then haul the boat and take the rig to some big truck scales (CAT scales) and place the tongue on the front scale and the axles on the second scale. This will give you the total boat/trailer weight as well as the distribution.

This is our boat on a borrowed J24 trailer a few years ago right before we bought our trailer. The trailer was VERY tongue light coming up the ramp. Note that the swing keel is on top of the rear axle. If you are putting your cradle on a flat bed trailer, position the boat so that the bottom of the keel is in front of the rear axle.

Edited by - dmpilc on 12/28/2011 12:34:35

palmtree
Deckhand

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USA
10 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2011 : 17:43:54

I am planning to pattern the new trailer after a Trail n Sail MODEL #RKGSK 24-26TB but the bunks will be lower and I think I would like the bow stop post to be vertical instead of sloped. I think I am getting close to the needed info of locating the axles..

Davidp - is the back of the bow stop post the close to or the same as the bow tip of the boat?

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2011 : 14:23:44

Pearl sits slightly bow down on the trailer. I rotated an old photo to make the trailer level, and a vertical from the forward axle center just touches the aft edge of the forward, main cabin portlight trim. The vertical from the aft axle intersects the top, aft end of the cabin top grabrail right where it angles down. The retracted keel rests on a crossmember behind the aft axle, very close to the aft edge of the aft tire. I am away on assignment and can't do any better.

edit: The bunks or rollers need to be high enough so the fully retracted keel is an inch or two above the trailer and can be lowered after loading.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 12/29/2011 14:29:47

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2011 : 18:04:48

The specs for this trailer came from Catalina. Note this is a wing keel - so fore and aft positioning may differ slightly for a swinger.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2011 : 18:42:31

Verticals from both axles suggest that your forward axle intersects the portlight less than than an inch farther forward, and your aft axle appears to be an inch or slightly more farther aft. Mighty close. I just reduced a portion of my image and pasted into your - you definitely have a wider axle spacing and that is consistent with my verticals.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2011 : 19:17:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 . . . you definitely have a wider axle spacing and that is consistent with my verticals . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Good eye Dave! And the J24 axles look to be even further apart.

Keep in mind this is also the last gen deck design - so portlight spacing may differ slightly.

Edited by - OJ on 12/29/2011 19:26:21

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2012 : 22:41:54

Hi, Palmer You have a lot of good info here and I would only add that you be ready to change the position of the boat so that you do have the 10 percent weight at the tongue. A trial run where you can slowly come up to highway speed to check the handling and braking. I use straps to keep my boat on the trailer when braking and taking off. Tire pressures are a factor for both trailer and tow. Good luck for your trip.

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