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'81 fixed keel and trailering

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Kper
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Initially Posted - 03/29/2013 : 04:51:26

If I intended to trailer my next boat should I really stick to a SK? What are the logistics to trailering and launching a FK? I'm eyeballing an affordable FK with a trailer extension but I don't know how many problems I may encounter with trailering and launching.

Any thoughts or experiences?

Kyle
'86 SR/SK/Dinette #5284 "Anodyne"
In the barn where we found her...

Edited by - Kper on 03/29/2013 04:52:04

Kper
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 05:40:18

Edited by - on

cshaw
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 06:25:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kper
 If I intended to trailer my next boat should I really stick to a SK? What are the logistics to trailering and launching a FK? I'm eyeballing an affordable FK with a trailer extension but I don't know how many problems I may encounter with trailering and launching.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think it would depend on a number of things. For instance, how often do you want to trailer? And what facilities will you have for launching where you plan to trailer to?

I use a trailer for Confetti, but I do not routinely trailer her. Even so, she has made it all the way from California to Florida by way of Houston, TX as we have moved across country. Normally, she stays in the water between haulouts, and then at haulout time she goes on the trailer and comes home for haulout work.

My tow vehicle is a Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup and she tows really well, even in very heavy crosswinds and on the interstate in heavy trucking traffic. My trailer has electric brakes, so I do not dunk it on a ramp. So I have to find places that I can use a lift. However, at the marina where I keep her they launch and recover similar sized fixed keel boats on trailers, but its a really nice steep and deep ramp. Having watched folks do it a number of times there, if my trailer did not have electric brakes I would use the ramp also...

The only other thing to consider is the extra couple of feet of height on the trailer. Confetti needs a little over 12.5 ft to clear the mast laying on the bow and stern pulpits. And you would need a slightly taller ladder to climb on board a fixed keel. However neither of those considerations have ever posed a problem for me. You just have to be aware of gas stations, etc. with lower than normal clearances!!

Enjoy whatever boat you get!!!!!

Cheers!

Chuck

Edited by - on

Kper
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 06:56:07

Thank you, Chuck. My first thought was overall height. At 12.5 feet I'd be somewhat concerned since I have seen back road overpasses here right at 12.5'. Is there a way to effectively stow the mast in a lower position? Along the cabin maybe? I thought that may be good for another 6" or so. I remember hauling a snow plow on a low boy years ago and I was within a couple inches of requiring an escort. Every overpass was a bit unnerving! It's been so long since I've driven trac/trlrs I can't remember what interstate overpass heights are.

The only 2 concerns with the FK - one is hoisting in and out and the added expense but that would only be twice a year. The other is winter storage. That limits my free storage possibilities.

You must be happy with Confetti if you've kept her all these years!

Edited by - on

ftworthsailor
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 07:13:00

Hi Kyle,
I have a 1978 C-25 FK on this home made trailer. If I were to do it again, I might have been more inclined to purchase a swing keel boat. I hear that they are not as fast as a FK, however are much easier to trailer. With North Texas Lakes water levels being so low, in the event that you hit the muddy or rock bottom, you can crank up the keel and get out of that mess.

The axle on my home-made trailer looks to be very HD, however I would recommend that if your boat don't already have a trailer specifically designed for it (ie: from the manufacturer), I would definitely recommend a dual or triple axle configuration (like Chuck has). I intend to modify my trailer with a dual axle or triple axle configuration in the very near future. I dont own a truck, so I go to the local U-HAUL where I rented and pulled it with a Ford F250. I drove very slowly (35-45mph) on back roads to get her from the P.O.'s back yard to the sailing club (about 70 miles). My trailer has NO brakes so going faster or on the freeway was not an option (in my mind). I had no issues pulling her but I would REALLY feel more comfortable with a second axle and more tires on the ground.

I am also not sure about the load capacity of the tires that the P.O. had installed on this trailer. They always look about half full (or half flat) even though they have about 10 psi more than the tire is rated.

I haven't launched her using the local boat ramp because I need to fabricate a tongue extension that will push the boat into deeper water making it easier to launch.....and keep the truck out of the water.

I have also been doing all sorts of fiberglass repairs to the keel and to the deck. It just seemed prudent to have all the work done while she is dry.

Hope this helps....
Roy

Edited by - ftworthsailor on 03/29/2013 07:29:10

Derek Crawford
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 11:16:43

I trailered "This Side Up" from Canyon Lake to Lake Cheney outside of Wichita. With the fixed keel she sat so high on the trailer that windage was a real problem. I used a Tahoe as the tow vehicle.
I'm relieved that I'll never have to do it again!

Edited by - on

cshaw
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 11:41:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kper
 At 12.5 feet I'd be somewhat concerned since I have seen back road overpasses here right at 12.5'. Is there a way to effectively stow the mast in a lower position? Along the cabin maybe? I thought that may be good for another 6" or so.

It's been so long since I've driven trac/trlrs I can't remember what interstate overpass heights are.

You must be happy with Confetti if you've kept her all these years!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have seen several boats being trailered that had their spars laying on the trailer alongside the keel. Not sure it would fit alongside the cabin, but you might try.

All interstate highway clearances are supposed to be good for Tractor-Trailer semi rigs, and I think their standard height is 13'6" (not sure however). But 12.5 ft got me all the way across the United States on the Interstate and several non-interstate roads....

I used to have a tandem axle trailer, and it had dropped axles, which helped carry the boat a bit lower. The current trailer I have has straight axles. The triple axle trailer is amazing for how steady it is! The dual axle was fine, but you could feel side load tugs occasionaly (but not bad).

Happy with Confetti? YOU BET!!!!!! I have had her for about 36 1/2 years of the 51 years I have been sailing. And I really have no intentions of ever moving to a different sailboat... (I do also have a center console fishing boat, so I must admit I have partially fallen to the dark side and have a motor boat also... <smile>)

Cheers!

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 16:11:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cshaw
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kper
 At 12.5 feet I'd be somewhat concerned since I have seen back road overpasses here right at 12.5'. Is there a way to effectively stow the mast in a lower position? Along the cabin maybe? I thought that may be good for another 6" or so.

It's been so long since I've driven trac/trlrs I can't remember what interstate overpass heights are.

You must be happy with Confetti if you've kept her all these years!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have seen several boats being trailered that had their spars laying on the trailer alongside the keel. Not sure it would fit alongside the cabin, but you might try.

All interstate highway clearances are supposed to be good for Tractor-Trailer semi rigs, and I think their standard height is 13'6" (not sure however). But 12.5 ft got me all the way across the United States on the Interstate and several non-interstate roads....

I used to have a tandem axle trailer, and it had dropped axles, which helped carry the boat a bit lower. The current trailer I have has straight axles. The triple axle trailer is amazing for how steady it is! The dual axle was fine, but you could feel side load tugs occasionaly (but not bad).

Happy with Confetti? YOU BET!!!!!! I have had her for about 36 1/2 years of the 51 years I have been sailing. And I really have no intentions of ever moving to a different sailboat... (I do also have a center console fishing boat, so I must admit I have partially fallen to the dark side and have a motor boat also... <smile>)

Cheers!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Chuck,

Confetti really looks nice. Now I'm going to have to polish up Andiamo.

I'm thinking seriously of pulling her out in June and working on her over the summer when it's too hot to sail anyway. I can bring her to the house for the weekend where I can come in the house and cool off if I get too hot.

I was thinking I'd use a buffer and polish pad to shine her up but after seeing what Poli-Glow did for Confetti I'm thinking why should I go to that much effort only to have to do it again next year.

Edited by - GaryB on 03/29/2013 16:13:21

cshaw
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 19:39:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
Confetti really looks nice. Now I'm going to have to polish up Andiamo.

I was thinking I'd use a buffer and polish pad to shine her up but after seeing what Poli-Glow did for Confetti I'm thinking why should I go to that much effort only to have to do it again next year.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Gary! A buddy of mine put me on to it a while back, and I really like it. However, its like everything else, you do have to re-apply it eventually...... But there is no buffing!!! You use PoliPrep to take off any oxidized layers before applying new coats.

Good plan to do this at home hear an A/C!!!

Chuck

Edited by - on

rrick
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Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 20:56:49

Kyle, that is almost my sister trailer. I've yet to see a similar construction steel girder tandem trailer (search forums for my photos). It's a 1 ton trailer. Trailering is expensive with new tires needed every 7-years regardless of use, bearings to be packed, brakes to be maintained. That 10' launch extension is usable to launch (or fling) the boat into the water. Retrieval onto the pads with bow to stop is done more gently with the keel strap method; otherwise either your truck is getting wet or the boweye is given a yank.

Edited by - on

Kper
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Response Posted - 03/30/2013 : 02:26:54

rrick, Are you saying the trailer is insufficient for the weight of the boat?

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
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Response Posted - 03/30/2013 : 17:01:25

Kyle -

How often do you plan on trailering it and where do you plan on launching? Those are two questions that will lead you to your answer. All the C25's are trailerable but some configurations lend themselves to doing it more often (every or every other weekend). Typically the FK's are only trailered twice a year, if at all. The SK's are a truly trailerable boat (I own one). Mine came with a custom tandem axle trailer with surge brakes. The PO trailered it for a few years (he built the trailer www.sealiontrailers.com) and he had absolutely no problems and neither have I on a freshwater lake in CT. My lake has sone nice ramps but they are all limited. Even though it is freshwater, I still need to watch the level (or tide on the salty stuff). I would imagine a WK would be a nice compromise (no too many around) and the FK would be my last choice if mobility was a concern.

Good luck,

Edited by - on

Jefffriday
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Response Posted - 03/30/2013 : 20:07:41

How about trying for a wing? 2" more than a swinger without all the potential problems. There's a reason they dropped the swinger after the wing came out. Better interior, no "Big hole in the bottom" etc. do the research the extra money is well worth it... my 2 cents anyway.

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Kper
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 06:03:16

The perfect scenario is trailering it twice a year but I don't want to be held to that. The FK we were looking at would require a 2000 mile trip home through the Rockies then 3 miles from our place to the lake. The original plan was to boat on our lake a year or two then slip it in Lake Michigan and bring it home for the winters. If it's a real hassle trailering then I'm afraid that's when I'd start to lose interest.

I would prefer a WK but we're talking more greenbacks and I'm trying to keep it as affordable as possible and still get a decent boat. I have seen the SK to WK converted boats out there but I want to understand exactly what went into the conversion before I ever considered one. There isn't anything on the web that explains it. At least I haven't found anything.

Edited by - Kper on 03/31/2013 06:04:22

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 08:53:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kper
 ...I have seen the SK to WK converted boats out there but I want to understand exactly what went into the conversion before I ever considered one. There isn't anything on the web that explains it. At least I haven't found anything.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Here you go--[url="http://catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/wingcon1.asp"]the conversion process[/url]--from our Tech Tips section. (It's four pages.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/31/2013 08:57:03

Kper
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 09:07:00

Perfect! Thank you.

Edited by - on

rrick
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 11:26:09

I meant the trailer itself weighed 1750 # without the boat! Everything feels overkill until I noticed the 3500 # axles cuts it close for a loaded Catalina 25 FK.

Edited by - rrick on 03/31/2013 11:31:43

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 11:28:20

Reviewing the pictures in that Tech Tip, it strikes me that with the wing keel's "tongue" that fits up into the swing keel trunk, that conversion might give the strongest keel-hull connection of all of the C-25 models, including even the later factory wing keel, when the swing keel hull was retired. (The advantage of that later WK model, '89-91, was a lower, flatter cabin sole yielding more headroom.)

Edited by - on

Kper
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 11:39:42

What are the head room comparisons with pop-top down?

Happy Easter everyone.

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awetmore
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 12:59:17

Hmm, I wonder if the hassle factor on a swing keel is really less painful than the hassle factor of putting a fin keel onto a trailer twice a year using a travelift.

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pastmember
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 14:30:25

The Wing Catalina 25 has two or three more inches of headroom than the older C25s, that is a bigger difference than you would think.

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OJ
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 18:32:24

We have a couple-three fins at our lake that are launched without a lift, but, we also have an extremely steep ramp. You are correct to consider the cost of a lift - if only twice a year. I thought you were going drydock this boat? Any plans to trailer it somewhere on vacation? You would need to know about the launch facilities - in advance. You are a racer? hence the concern for speed? I might be confusing the this with another product, but I thought Catalina discontinued the wing conversion kit. Converting a swing to a wing requires several times more effort than a lifetime of swing maintenance. From what I've read above, the fin is not the right boat for you. There are lot of C25s out there . . . I'd keep looking . . .

Edited by - OJ on 03/31/2013 18:38:04

Dave5041
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Response Posted - 03/31/2013 : 21:09:24

Swing maintenance is neither difficult nor expensive, just absolutely essential. I've been sailing swingers of different sizes and brands for more than 30 years without a major problem. Actually, I've only had one event that was more of an inconvenience than a problem. A converted swing, the casting is no longer available, would have to be substantially cheaper than a wing to be a reasonable purchase. You get the good and bad of the wing, but none of the other improvements of the late 25's? There really isn't much difference in overall performance among the three.

Edited by - on

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