HELP - TRAILER & Honwave T38 IE (Air Floor)

Alexo · 02 June 2015, 09:41

Dear All,
I need your kind input on the following:
I have a Honwave T38 IE (Air Floor) and just took delivery of my trailer in order to transport it to the beach (with Engine on board).
I have these at home and intend loading the boat on the trailer and then the engine on the transom. The transom will sit on a roller (fitted at the end of the trailer - standard in almost all trailers) so for the engine weight to be supported on this.
My question:
When I load the Boat on the trailer, should I inflate the air floor as well? The engine should be loaded on the boat (which will be on the trailer) with the air floor fully inflated or should I leave this deflated in order not to strain the air floor with the weight of the engine (and inflate the air floor when I get to the beach instead)?
Thank you in advance!
Alexo

blootac · 02 June 2015, 11:06

I inflate my floor on the trailer as it adds to the structural strength of the boat, especially as you're leaving the outboard on.

Alexo · 02 June 2015, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by blootac

I inflate my floor on the trailer as it adds to the structural strength of the boat, especially as you're leaving the outboard on.

Dear Blootac,
Thank you so much for your feedback.
It means a lot.
I am new in these things and do not wish to do something and damage the boat.
I will do the same thing.
I will inflate the air floor and I will mount the engine.
I understand the Air floor can sustain the weight of the engine on the trailer.
Thank you once again.
Alexo

blootac · 02 June 2015, 11:19

Do you have a bunked trailer?
Can you post photos of your trailer with the boat on?

Alexo · 02 June 2015, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by blootac

Do you have a bunked trailer?
Can you post photos of your trailer with the boat on?

Hi. This is a good point; I will take a photo and post one.
In the meantime, found a photo of a similar trailer.
It is like mine. With big rollers that fit under the tubes.
There is also on big roller at end to support transom.
Thank you

blootac · 02 June 2015, 13:02

If possible you'll probably want to convert it to bunks so that the entire length of the tubes are supported.
I think it's the general feeling that SIB's are better on bunks than rollers (although I'm happy to be corrected!)

tpyne2016 · 03 June 2015, 03:32

Where'd you get that trailer

Alexo · 03 June 2015, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpyne2016

Where'd you get that trailer

Athens - Greece (I am based here). Apparently the maker makes trailers both with rollers or with bunks and was told that rollers ar more convenient for launching and retrieving.

blootac · 03 June 2015, 10:33

Rollers make things easier, but as there's nothing rigid in a SIB it's better to support it as much as possible, especially with you're leaving the engine on.

Note that I'm not saying that your trailer won't work - it will.

Alexo · 03 June 2015, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by blootac

Rollers make things easier, but as there's nothing rigid in a SIB it's better to support it as much as possible, especially with you're leaving the engine on.

Note that I'm not saying that your trailer won't work - it will.

This is a very genuine and valid comment and Thank you for this. I also feel that the bunks will provide greater support. Since this is already with rollers I may as well keep it like that for the summer (using the transom saver when I have the engine loaded) and maybe look into the bunks option (converting rollers arrangement into bunks) after this summer, depending on cost..
Thank you once again.

blootac · 03 June 2015, 10:46

No problem

It should be easy enough to convert to bunks if you wish.

Personally I always use the transom saver.

Enjoy!

Alexo · 03 June 2015, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by blootac

No problem

It should be easy enough to convert to bunks if you wish.

Personally I always use the transom saver.

Enjoy!

Thank you Blootac. Will certainly look into this conversion possibility and agree on transom saver (better safe than sorry) approach.

Alexo · 05 June 2015, 08:53

Pictures of my trailer as promissed. I have not yet inflated the airfloor. I have just placed the boat on the trailer. As soon as I inflate the airfloor I will also adjust rollers a bit better so for the boat to sit better on these. You can see also the rollers under the transom that will take the engine weight.
Best,
Alexo

blootac · 05 June 2015, 09:06

Looks good. You won't have much weight up front so it should be ok. Just make sure everything is inflated fully and strapped down ☺

Alexo · 05 June 2015, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by blootac

Looks good. You won't have much weight up front so it should be ok. Just make sure everything is inflated fully and strapped down ☺

Thank you Bllotac. Will surely inflate up to recommended pressure prior to mounting the engine and will strap really well; I am very diligent on those things as damages tend to be followed by costs... and wish to keep these to the minimum!
Thank you once again for your time and valuable comments!