trailer advice for Zodiac Futura Mark 3

[skoskii]

Hi,

Can someone recommend a trailer for a mark 3?

Should the bunks run the full length of the bottom of the boat for full support since it is a soft bottom?

Thanks,

[skoskii]

I am looking as at a shorelander SLB10TM that specifies the boat hull dimensions to be a minimum 149" (3.78m) to a maximum 173"(4.39m). The mark 3 is 4.5m but that includes the portion of the tubes that go past the motor mount. So the hull dimension is less than 4.5m.

Do you think this trailer is the right size?

thanks,

[jyasaki]

Is there a compelling reason to go with the smallest possible trailer? Like, fitting it into a limited storage area or something?

By going up one size, you'll get a bit more separation between the tow vehicle and the boat, which comes in handy when launching and recovering (you could do the same thing with a tongue extension, but I haven't seen a really bullet-proof one yet.)

But, yeah, it looks pretty close. Make sure the bunks clear the fabric fillting the speed tubes, and you may want a centerline bunk added as well. I see a lot of SIBs using a standard roller type bow stop; I personally prefer a large carpeted block to run the bow up against.

Where in Canada are you located? If you're on the west coast, you might check out Highliner trailers as well. They supplied my RIB trailer, and I've found it to be very reliable.

jky

[skoskii]

Yes limited by garage space, 18 and half feet max. I am located in Toronto.

So the bunk should support the bottom where it meets the tubes?

Thanks,

[jyasaki]

I would say so.

If you think about the boat sitting in the water, the buoyancy is at the tubes, and the floor sort of hangs from that.

OTOH, I've seen everything from a 6 bunk trailer to a flat bed for small inflatables, so it's kind of hard to really say what's "best". (Actually, beyond flatbed, I guess: One group pulls the motor, inverts the SIB, and ties it into a larger trailered RIB to transport.)

The keel will stretch the fabric of the floor away from the decking, so you don't want support there. That leaves the keel itself, the Tube/Floor intersection, and the tubes themselves. Given that you may need to transport the boat with tubes-less-than inflated (for whatever reason), I'd go for the tube/floor joint.

jky

[skoskii]

Thanks!