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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Trailer brake fire

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/06/2003 : 21:08:40

I took Friday off to haul "Quiet Time" out to Folsom Lake. I got a space in the dry storage lot, and wanted to move the boat before the weekend, which is always hectic on this particular weekend due to the Camellia Cup Regatta (Folsom Lake Yacht Club's biggest event of the year). I left the house at 07:00 and got about 10 miles away, traveling back roads to avoid the morning commuter crush on the freeway, and when I stopped for a red ligh, I smelled that "oh, S*^&$!" aroma of overheated brake linings. I got out to look, and sure enough, the right front trailer wheel brake was pouring smoke. There are no hills anywhere along the route, so I knew it had to be the wheel cylinder had seized up, a problem I had a few years ago with my Catalina 22's trailer. I pulled into a gas station parking lot and dropped the trailer, then went to buy parts, and by the time the wheel was put back together, it was nearly noon. I made it the rest of the way with no further problems and got the mast rigged up, but by then it was too late in the afternoon to launch the boat, so I parked her and headed home. I guess next weekend will be dedicated to cleaning and finishing the rigging, then go sailing on Sunday if I can get all the work done.
The problem with drum brakes on a boat is that water inevitably gets under the dust boot on the end of the hydraulic cylinder and starts corroding the cylinder walls and piston cup. The rust flakes jam up the cup so that it cant retract properly and the brakes shoes stay in contact with the drums, causing a brake fire. Fortunately, I caught this one before it had time to boil the grease out of the hub and destroy the bearings, so it only cost $36.00 for a new wheel cylinder and a few tablespoons of grease and brake fluid. This is the price I pay for enjoying the San Juans last July - the only time the trailer has been put into salt water since the last time the brakes were rebuilt. When it comes time to replace the axles, or maybe buy a whole new trailer, I will be sure to get disc brakes.

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

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2003 : 21:56:53

I just spent over $700 on all new disc surge brakes hoping that I can make it to south Florida this weekend with no set backs. But I will be bringing the manual!

Safe voyages,
Ben, FL s/v Chick-a-pea C250wk
<img src="http://www.members.aol.com:/benraye/pictures/fullsail.jpg" border=0>

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2003 : 23:06:23

Larry,
We had a similar situation last fall. By the time we got everyones boat decommissioned it was dark. I happened to see an occasional spark fly out from the right side trailer wheels. Fortunately we were just a few hundred feet from the storage yard. Turns out one of the brake adjusters froze - also causing the shoes not to release.
Whenever we trailer a considerable distance we always stop and check the rims for excessive heat after applying the brakes a few times.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2003 : 07:36:45

Larry... this problem can be reduced considerably by converting to DOT 5 synthetic fluid. Normal brake fluid absorbs water...it is silicone based and doesn't.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2003 : 23:52:23

Larry: Might I suggest that you think about slinging in your boat in the San Juans? I used to ramp launch, too, for the first couple of years, but the damage to my painted EZLoader was too much. You can use the sling at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, WA for a measley $26 round trip! They treat me great every year!

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2003 : 08:33:57

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Larry: Might I suggest that you think about slinging in your boat in the San Juans? I used to ramp launch, too, for the first couple of years, but the damage to my painted EZLoader was too much. You can use the sling at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, WA for a measley $26 round trip! They treat me great every year!
Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Thanks! One of the C-25 WK owners in our club used to launch out of Anacortes before we moved this cruise to Bellingham a few years ago. I will ask the group at our next meeting if they would prefer to use Anacortes again. The damage my trailer has received from salt water dunkings costs a lot more than $26 I can tell you! Does this sling at Cap Sante Marina have enough capacity to handle a late model C-25WK with the inboard diesel? This boat weighs about 7500#. Do you have a contact e-mail address for the Harbormaster at this facility? And, can they accomodate parking for our tow vehicles and trailers for two or three weeks? We will have about 5 or 6 boats participating.

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

Edited by - lcharlot on 04/08/2003 09:03:32

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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.