Association Forum - C25 wing trailer-bunks or rollers?

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

C25 wing trailer-bunks or rollers?

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David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
74 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/19/2005 : 01:21:36

Does the C25 wing keel use bunks or rollers on trailer? or can it go on either the bunk or roller trailer or even matter? I know the wing usually sits on bottom plate of trailer rather on hull as is the case with swing keel. I am trying to determine if a C25 roller trailer can be modified to accommodate a C25 wing keel.

Dave Scott 89wk/sr #5973

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Dave Laux
Captain

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318 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 07:08:19

You could use a swing keel trailer for a wing with only minor adjustments. If you are going to buy as new trailer I wouid recommend you get up with Long Trailer in North Carolina if that is somewhat close to you. I have bought several of their trailers for our customers and our boat and have been pleased with them. Dave

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 09:00:53

I have a bunk trailer for my wing. It works well enough for the occasional trailering I do. The only setup difference would be the width of the wing at the bottom which is something like 30 inches.

A roller trailer would be better as It would allow the boat to roll up and over the back of the trailer to get into proper position. With a bunk trailer it has to be deep enough or the boat will not come off or go on....period! As the bow approached the bow roller on my trailer it must ride up on the 2 bow rollers I have to get the bow into the stops. This takes some serious winching. I don't know if multiple rollers would make the winching easier, but the weight would be spread out better.

Which ever version you go with, get a 10000lb trailer! The 7500 is at the limit with a 25 and will not be nearly as durable. I am going to be doing a cross country with mine next year and will keep my fingers crossed that mine makes it without any big issues.

Tom.

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 12:38:46

A roller trailer will cost about $1500 more than a bunk trailer of the same load capacity, but it's worth it. With a bunk trailer, the trailer must be fully submerged to float the boat on or off, and on a ramp of less than 15% gradient, you will have to submerge the rear end of your tow vehicle (or use a tongue extension), to get the trailer deep enough. With a roller trailer, you will not have to submerge the trailer as deeply. A Swing keel trailer with "V" shaped cross members can be converted to Wing by replacing the cross-members with a "\___/" shape. I did this myself, and the cost for steel and paint was about $300. A local trailer builder offered to do the job, and it would have been a "neater" looking installation, but it would have cost far more, about $2500, because of the need to re-paint the whole trailer. The shop was going to weld the new cross-members directly to the side rails, which would have destroyed the paint, whereas my home-made retrofit used bolt-on pieces and thus didn't require a re-paint of the whole trailer. It's not elegant looking, but it works.

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Scooter
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 12:53:31

I bought a bunk trailer last year for my '89 wing. If I had to do it again I would get the rollers. I don't know about the rollers with the C25 but it took me a few tries to get launching down pat. With mine I have to get the depth just right. The first time I launched it the trailer got caught on the bunks as the boat floated. The whole trailer was floating because it was hung on the wing.

What I do now is lower the back supports. This changes the shape of the bunk from a "U" shape. This means that while moving the boat to the ramp there is no support under the cockpit but for the short distance to the ramp it's not an issue. If you don't lower them the boat has to float over them. This requires more depth and the wing is more likely to get hung. The wing gets hung on the pads that go along the keel. These pads are meant to keep the keel centered on the trailer by stopping any right to left movement.

Next time I will also try lowering the front bow pad.

I would think about how often you intend to launch. I usually launch once a year (unless hurricane comes). If I launched often I would think about selling this trailer and get rollers. I had rollers on my 22 O'Day trailer and with an eletric winch, things were easy.

Pads are cheaper though and now that I know how, they work fine for me. Note that I have only launched it about 4 times since I got it. I had the luck to have a boat yard "hang" the boat while I rolled the new trailer under it when I first bought it. It took some time to "fit" the trailer to the boat. I would recommend this method if you can. If you get the trailer and try to pull the boat out without adjusting, things could get tricky. Don't trust it when they say the trailer will come "ready fit" for your boat.

Also my trailer has a flush system that you can hook a hose to and flush the brakes with fresh water. Try to get that if you're in salt water. Remember after flushing try to pull it for a while and brake a few times so the brakes get dried out.

2 cents.

Scott

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2005 : 16:00:26

I have an 89 wing. At the time I bought my trailer about 2 1/2 years ago I couldn't find a manufacturer who makes a trailer with rollers. The original manufacturer for the older Catalinas no longer makes them, and wouldn't even consider making another one as a "custom" job.
If you go with bunks make sure you get a trailer with a tongue extension. Also a bow roller helps tremendously in launching and retrieving, as it will keep your bow higher, and thus more flotation from the stern.
I did get a trailer with 9600 lb capacity, and glad I did. I make a thousand mile trip each year to the keys. Also make sure you get load range D tires.
Good luck, and let us know if you find a manufacturer who makes a roller trailer for a wing.

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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.