Association Forum - Appropriate C-25 Trailer Capacity?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Appropriate C-25 Trailer Capacity?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/05/2003 : 20:48:43

A long distance friend of mine is considering getting a Catalina 25. We were discussing trailer weight capacity, since he may need to buy a trailer separately. He would be trailering the boat maybe 100 miles round trip every time he goes sailing, and much longer distances at vacation time.

So his questions to the group are:

<ul><li>Of those of you who trailer sail your C-25, what load capacity trailer do you recommend?
</li></ul>

<ul><li>Also, have any of you actually weighed a fully loaded C-25 on a trailer, and if so what did the whole rig weigh?
</li></ul>

<ul><li>Is there anyone who thinks bunks are an advantage over rollers?
</li></ul>

<ul><li>Is there anyone who thinks brakes on both axles are a waste of money?
</li></ul>

<ul><li>Any other strong opinions about trailer features?
</li></ul>

Thanks in advance for your collective wisdom!<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

SailormanCGA72
1st Mate

Members Avatar

77 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 03:45:23

When I was taking my '82 TR WK out of the water with a marine lift, The operator said the boat weighed 6000#. I personally think that is too high, but it was not important enough to take it to a scale and weigh it since I tow it with a suburban. My heavy duty suburban doesn't really care how much it weighs. If I had it to do all over again, I would have built a trailer with three axles. (I usually overdo everything.)

I removed the surge brakes and installed electric on only one axle and am pleased with the control that it gives me. Not sure if two axle brakes are necessary. I disconnect the brakes before launching or recovering, and since I now only sail in fresh water, I don't have corrosion problems.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 04:22:57

Leon: I use an EZLoader trailer with 32 rollers to carry my '78 swinger. I weighed the trailer once, empty, and it came in at around 1250 on the axles, with probably 250 tongue weight (purely a guess. I can barely lift it empty, so it may be much more than 250). The sling I use in saltwater lifts the boat with a 5,000 pound sling with no problem. I don't think the boat weighs much over 5,000 when reasonably loaded, so I usually figure that the gross weight with trailer is around/ under 7,000 #.

Since I don't dip the trailer in salt anymore, the fact that mine is painted, not galvanized, is not a problem, although I would prefer the latter.

In my state, Washington, brakes are required on BOTH axles; it's not an option. I have surge brakes, but am investigating electric as I sometimes doubt the surge's usefulness.

Rollers have worked well for me; my boat has not experienced the flexing that some folks worry about, but, of course the 1,500 # keel rests on the trailer, not the rollers. The sling people charge extra for boats with bunks, since they are a hassle to sling.

IMHO, a trailer tongue extension is a valuable extra. I don't use mine often now, since my regular freshwater ramp is very steep, but I have used ramps other places that are quite gradual, and I was really glad I had that option.

While I keep my boat in the water during the season, the fact that she's trailerable to other locales, and the fact that I can do my own maintenance at home under cover is THE reason that I continue to sail the C25. I have written too often about the Tartan 30 I had for 4 years. I loved it and the way she sailed, but I so missed the convenience, utility and economy of the C25 that I bought my old C25 back. I can't bring myself to move back to a larger, more "limited" boat (at least in my situation where my favorite cruising grounds are 250 miles away; the long trip down the Columbia River then up the coast, then down the Strait of Juan DeFuca takes a lot of time and fun out of a vacation).

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 09:11:17

Most Catalina 25's weigh considerably more than the factory's published weight of 4100 to 4500#. There is an '89 WK in our sailing club that has been weighed on a truck scale at 9500#. Figuring 2500# for the trailer, that leaves the boat at 7000#. This particular boat is an inboard diesel, so for an outboard, take off maybe 250#. Anyway, in my opinion, anybody ordering a new trailer for any Catalina 25 should specify 10000# GVWR capacity.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 09:47:14

What load capacity trailer do you recommend?
8,000 lbs minimum. More = better

What did the whole rig weigh?
Will weigh later this spring, my company has truck scales.

Is there anyone who thinks bunks are an advantage over rollers?
I have had both, and prefer rollers by a wide margin. Easier to launch/retrieve, easier to work on the boat.

Is there anyone who thinks brakes on both axles are a waste of money?
Only until the moment of terror when you really need 'em, then they are likely worth every penny (generic answer as mine only has single axle brakes).

Any other strong opinions about trailer features?
Galvanized frame, stainless disc brakes, electric over hydraulic brakes, torsion suspension (no leaf springs to rust!), extended tongue.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 12:51:47

I've never known a boat trailer carrying a C-25 to fail because of an under-capacity trailer. Trailers aren't built so that they fail if they are overloaded by 10 lbs. or 100 lbs. They are built much stronger than their rated capacity.

Reasonable people don't load their C-25 with 4,000-5,000 lbs of water, fuel, toys, sails, tools and other gear. That would be the equivalent of carrying 20-25 people in your boat, each weighing 200 lb. (or, the entire Cincinnati Bengals football team, including "special teams" and the Ben-gals <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>) while it is on your trailer. The Catalina factory surely knows the appropriate rated capacity for a C-25 trailer (making a reasonable allowance for carrying extra "stuff"), and they are very cooperative about supplying that kind of information. Also, Trail-Rite and EZ Loader surely know what size trailer should be used for a C-25.

I suggest your friend follow their recommendations (especially Catalina's), and not waste his money buying a grossly oversized trailer.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 13:49:49

Hi,

Magic tilt recomended a #6800 GVW for ESSAYONS. I never felt the trailer was overloaded or under any bad strain. When Steve and Jenny bought ESSAYONS they trailered her to New Hampshire and, other than too little tongue weight, made it fine. The rig swerved a little because we loaded the boat about 6" too far back on the trailer.

<img src="http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?state=67b0de21be01bcd3559c&co=-1&js=1046976268420&ps=1&rx=304&ry=304" border=0>

The motor was pulled up tight to the stern rail with a heavy line to take the weight off the motor bracket.

My 86/swing/diesel HALIMEDE came with a Shorelander that was in the #6000+ range. I dont remember exactly. That trailer was pretty rough and yet it made the trip from Ohio to GA just fine and then on to Missippi.

My new trailer, The PERFORMANCE CTL-250, as seen on the swap meet, is #6800 GVW and I beleive it will carry a Catalina 25 just fine. The trailer weighs 1300 LBS.

<img src="http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?state=67b0de21b98c07ad45ba&co=-1&js=1046975991320&ps=1&rx=304&ry=304" border=0>

I wish I could afford to put a C-25 on it right now. I'd be chasing Frank Gloss to the Keys.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Anyway, be safe,

Paul

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 15:44:11

"and not waste his money buying a grossly oversized trailer"

I guess it depends on your overall philosophy on things. IMHO trailering something like a C25 is nerve-wracking enough without having to worry about how much junk the admrial put in the boat.

Categorically speaking, I've never regretted buying oversize, heavier, safer, better etc. All too often I've regretted doing the opposite.

For the extra $500 or so, I'd personally make the jump from the 'stock' 6,000 lb up to the 8,000 class. 12,000 lb? Not sure about going that far. (Remember, we are talking GVW's here... not net.)

The first time you hit a big pothole down in Baja you'd be real happy you'd got the beefier rig.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 20:04:25

Hi,

This trailering post is interesting.

Let me share a story.

When I see a post from someone looking for a trailer on the TSA page, I send them pictures and specs on the one I'm selling.

Every response except two, who are interested, has been that it is way more money than they want to spend.

I am amazed that so many people think they can get by with some old cheap piece of junk.

When they actually put "Bertha" up on that cheap old trailer they will learn a big lesson. You get what you pay for.

Hey Leon, The 4 wheel brake issue is interesting too. I was told that it was best to have brakes on just one axle so that if you lock them up the trailer will not jacknife.

As far as bunks VS rollers, I dont know. My 86 had a roller trailer and the hull looked fine. It didn't have any indentations in it from the rollers.

It was very easy to load.

Loading ESSAYONS on the bunk trailer was much harder. It had to be splashed deeper. I was chest high in water guiding her on the bunks.

I was also told that to go to a very heavyweight trailer could damage the boat. A stiff setup will transfer shock loading to the hull and shake her pretty badly.

I think #6800 would be the bare minimum with around 8000 being ideal.

Anyway, be safe,

Paul

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2003 : 22:26:37

"When I see a post from someone looking for a trailer on the TSA page, I send them pictures and specs on the one I'm selling...Every response except two...has been that it is way more money than they want to spend."

For these people, I suspect they haven't ever priced a new trailer before(which can indeed be somewhat of a shocker) and if they bought an older smaller sailboat for the value, an expensive trailer doesn't appear to be a good bargain when compared to a relatively inexpensive boat. When you compare a $3,500 trailer to a $20,000 boat, it doesn't seem like a whole lot, but when you compare a $3,500 trailer to a $2,600 C25, it doesn't seem like much of a bargain.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 16:12:55

When I bought my boat, I had to weigh it in the process of licensing the trailer (bought it in a different state). It weighed 6430# trailer and all. The fresh water tank, gas tank, and holding tank were empty. There was no loaded ice chest, and the outboard wasn't on board.

Trailer load capacity of 8000# should be plenty.

The trailer has brakes on the front axle only. Didn't know about the requirement of both axles having brakes in WA state and I guess the State Patrol inspectors didn't either. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Rollers are better than bunks for the reasons stated above.

One axle of brakes is fine for me, but I leave a LOT of following distance in front of me while trailering.

Galvanized is better than painted.

John Mason
<img src="http://www.users.qwest.net/~jamason/ali.jpg" border=0>
pronounced "Ali Paroosa"
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2003 : 19:55:04

Point well taken.

Perception and experience have a lot to do with it.

Unfortunately, the C-25 still weighs a lot even if you find a cheap one.

Anyway, be safe,

Paul

Edited by - on

gburton
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2003 : 20:14:32

While on the trailering thread...can anyone with a '78 swing on a trailer, what the height is from the pavement to the top of the bunks and from the pavement to the swing keel rest? I just bought a trailer last weekend and it was for a Hunter 26 water ballast/swing keel. The PO said that his boat draws either 2' even or just above. At 2'-8" I'm wondering if the bunks will need to be raised slightly. I'm going to get the boat out of the water tomorrow and want to be sure that I'll be able to get the boat.

If the bunks need raising, (since they're not adjustable) any suggestions as to how to raise them temporarily until I can make final trailer modifications? Would the rigid foam "noodles" used for swimming floats work if they were fixed to the top of the bunks with wire ties? Or would they compress too much?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bert Burton
C25, #810
Shell Point, FL

Bert

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.