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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Trailer tongue extension

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JB
Navigator

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USA
118 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2016 : 10:10:48

My trailer does not have a tongue extension and I've always had to use a crane or travel lift. I'm moving to a new location and I'd like to trailer in and out. I've got a wing keel. What have other people tried in a similar situation? Has anyone tried the Extend-a-Hitch, or are there other options?

1988 C25 Wing Keel Std Rig Tohatsu 9.9 Tiller Steering and 2003 C250 Wing Keel Std Rig Inboard Diesel Wheel Steering

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2016 : 13:48:34

I have yet to need an extension. Swingers draw about the same as a wing, but how it sits on the trailer could make a difference. I back down until my vehicle wheels are at the edge of the water and the stern floats free and she slides into the water. Recovery takes a little more care, but it isn't a problem. I usually pull her up until I can attach the safety chain, set the winch to freewheel, pullout until she is on the trailer and then winch in. I sometimes use nylon three strand instead of the safety chain at steeper ramps because the bow will rise more as the trailer comes up under the stern

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2016 : 05:01:05

I have a wing keel also and my trailer sits high compared to most. The trailer has a wheel for the tongue that I attach to a separate screw jack. I built a square tube with a ball on one end and a coupler on the other that is 18 feet long. I need to have 5 1/2 feet of water to launch. Before the tube I used a chain. It is somewhat of a pain but works. I have built two two extensions that were added to trailers for friends and they worked out OK but they had a lower trailer and did not have to be as long. I do not have any photos to show.

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1337 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2016 : 10:49:16

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)

TEM58
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 02/29/2016 : 08:15:43

Have you considered using a strap instead? It's pretty handy to be able to vary the length as needed. I use the same method for both the C25 swing keel and the c250 wing.

Tim M
�Perfect Match II�
2003 C350 #35
Cruising FL
PO "Wine Down"
2000 C250 WK #453
PO "Perfect Match"
1983 C25 SR/SK #3932
Lake Belton
Belton, TX

Edited by - TEM58 on 02/29/2016 08:17:12

dasreboot
Admiral

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804 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 05:14:14

If the ramp is steep enough I dont need the extension. On shallow ramps I need my 15 ft extension, which just slides on a box welded to the side of the trailer. I am jealous of those long lake ramps like in the pic. I used one at lake norman and it was easy compared to the ramp at home.

Todd Lewis
Eowyn 87 TR/WK C25 #5656
ARWEN 84 TR/SK C25 #4031
www.mainsailsailingschool.com

JB
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
118 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 10:59:40

Thanks for the responses. On my trailer the tongue extends past the bow by only a couple feet so the boat is barely in the water when the back wheels of the truck are wet. In one of the pictures above the the tongue looks like it's over 6 feet, much nicer trailer. Those of you that have a wheel that you can reverse and use to support the trailer, was that something you had fabricated or did it come with the trailer? I'd be interested in learning where I could get one, then the strap idea would work for me.

1988 C25 Wing Keel Std Rig Tohatsu 9.9 Tiller Steering and 2003 C250 Wing Keel Std Rig Inboard Diesel Wheel Steering

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1337 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 15:44:34

It was fabricated locally using standard black "off the shelf" material. Any good local welding shop will be able to make this at a modest cost.

Spray the finished product with a couple of fast drying, cold liquid, galvanize coatings which contains 93% "self sacrificing", zinc. It is a familiar product in welding and fence supply shops, available in spray bottles and very seldom or never available in mass or paint stores

We use the zinc rich, cold galvanize spray almost every season to protect bolts and other potential rust spots on the boat trailer. It is by far the best rust protection in and around salt water

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2016 : 21:39:54

Another method is to strap launch. It is similar to using a long chain. Purchase a 20-30 ft long nylon strap rated at 10,000 lbs. with a loop in each end. When you get the boat on the ramp about 10 ft from the water, chock the wheels and jack the trailer off of the tow vehicle. with the trailer stationary, remove the safety chains. Roll the tow vehicle 15 ft forward. Take one end of the strap and run it down through the V in the trailer tongue, thread the long end of the strap through the strap loop under the trailer and pull tight. The strap should now be snug on top of the trailer. Take the strap up to the tow vehicle, remove the ball mount and insert the strap loop into the trailer hitch receiver on the tow vehicle and secure it with the hitch pin you use with the ball mount. Pull the tow vehicle forward slowly to take up the slack in the strap and pull the trailer forward just enough to remove the trailer chocks. Put someone on board to start the boat's engine, if necessary, and lower the boat into the water. Reverse the process to pull the trailer out, remove the strap, and reattach the trailer to the tow vehicle. Easy!

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

Edited by - dmpilc on 03/03/2016 07:13:28

Akenumber
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2016 : 18:46:35

I made an extention 20ft square tube. And it works on a fin keel. Looks scarry though and you need a good ramp

Ken
San Diego
84 C25 SR/FK 4116
The KRAKEN

offshoreaccount
1st Mate

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USA
71 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2016 : 21:39:38

I pulled my 25' SK with a strap on a shallow ramp. It was a 15' strap, and I just used the tongue jack lowered completely (hurts angle, but puts less torque on the jack).

Offshore Account, 1977 Hull #243. SR, SK

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2016 : 11:08:35

For my fin keel I use 2 20 foot straps linked together. Hint, NEVER HAVE THE TRAILER NOT TIED TO TRUCK WHEN TAKING OFF THE HITCH. IF IT STARTS TO ROLL TO THE WATER YOU ARE SOL. This works well for me. The rear wheels are out the water no problems. I have had people come up to me in crouded boat ramps saying that my crew and I were the most efficient at loading and unloading they have seen.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider 5411
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Chief RA
Chief Technical Advisor

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USA
191 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2016 : 07:05:57

I use the standard trailer extension and drop down spare tire or trailer hitch wheel. If I need more depth I have a 7' extension I use in the truck hitch reciever. All works well and carry 20' of chain too. Chief

COMPASS ROSE C250WK
Tall Mast, Wing keel
PORT CHIEF, Bodega Bay Ca.
IE,EE,FCC lic #1890

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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.