Maiden Voyage - Trailer help.

Explore Cowal · 17 July 2016, 10:41

Well got the SIB out onto the water yesterday..................great fun.

With the westerly wind we decided to launch at the local slip, which has been subject to damage due to past storms. The large concrete slabs have been damaged so getting the trailer to the water would be problematic.

We decided to use the transom wheels and take the SIB off the trailer and wheel to the water. This suited as i didn't fancy submerging the trailer in salt water. The boat sits flat on the trailer, wriggling the boat off the trailer took a bit of work, i thought about jacking up the jockey wheel but as we had no chocks for the wheels meant the trailer would have came with us !

Looking at the trailer, I can raise the front and lower the back allowing the beds to run at an angle, that may help getting the boat off. Would this be advisable as this would mean the boat would be loaded at an angle ?

Loading, again had it's problems. There's a wooden transom saver, but it gets in the way of the V hull when trying to drag the boat up onto the trailer.

It supports the transom and allows the engine to be supported with a ratchet strap. I'm not sure if i should replace this with pivoting rollers that could shape to the V then horizontal to support the transom..........or do away with it?

I did use the winch to try pull with the bow hook but I didn't fancy putting to much strain on it. Then I thought if I had ramps to run the transom wheels on it would aid with loading.

Any advice welcome.

chris123 · 17 July 2016, 13:41

I would keep the bunks level. It may not be an option for you, but I put two rollers on the centre line behind the bunks on my trailer to help loading. See this thread

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?p=720800

The rearmost roller mount also serves as transom saver once boat loaded.

Explore Cowal · 17 July 2016, 21:47

Thanks Chris,

That looks ideal. I have a bar that runs across the rear of the trailer so hopefully i can add a roller or two. There's room to lower the bunks and keep them horizonta, so this may aid loading/unloading.

Explore Cowal · 25 July 2016, 22:02

Well, fitted my pivoting wobble rollers, replacing the wooden transom saver. Whilst it sits level, once the boat is pulled of the rollers should shape to the deep V hull. The bunks still slightly extend beyond the wheels but the boat will hopefully lift with the hull.

kevinsc · 26 July 2016, 21:09

Do you have a pic of just the trailer need to build one
cheers kevin

Explore Cowal · 26 July 2016, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Do you have a pic of just the trailer need to build one
cheers kevin

Sorry Kevin I don't. Doubt these will help.....

kevinsc · 26 July 2016, 21:30

After fitting the rollers at rear do you still have the bunks at the sides supporting the weight of sib

Explore Cowal · 26 July 2016, 21:33

Yeah, they extend just beyond the Airfloor tabs.
See old pic above.

kevinsc · 26 July 2016, 21:42

I see

kevinsc · 26 July 2016, 21:46

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322202431662
I was going to make a trailer like this for a 3.8m sib with engine on it

Explore Cowal · 26 July 2016, 22:17

The trailers seem to be bolted together with clamps etc. not welded. There's plenty of options to tailor make something. Second hand buys may equal the cost of sourcing materials and fixtures such as wheels, jockey wheels winch etc.

Look at this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222179219837

Boat trailer RIB trailer Inflatable Tender Small boat trailer 3.5 to 4m

kevinsc · 27 July 2016, 22:48

That is the kind of trailer I want but has to be collapsible for storage and to be able to put it in the caravan chassis for taken with us on holiday will be able to copy it
Cheers

Explore Cowal · 30 July 2016, 19:25

Some tinker time with the trailer today. The bunks were sitting 3" higher than needed, the transom wheels couldn't be fitted unless I wriggled the HW back enough, the bunks at the stern extended a bit far causing problems loading/unloading.

I decided to drop the bunks 3", which in turn ment the SIB didn't need to be so far forward for the bow to rest on the winch stopper.

This allowing the transom wheels to be fitted/removed or left on without the need to wriggle. I even had the option to mount the wobble wheels on the back of the rear crossmember, supporting the transom.

Happy with the result as I can easily dry launch and wheel to the waters edge on my own.

kevinsc · 31 July 2016, 22:38

Looking really good like the idea of the wheels at the back does it make a difference taking it on and off the trailer when in the water

Explore Cowal · 31 July 2016, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Looking really good like the idea of the wheels at the back does it make a difference taking it on and off the trailer when in the water

I take it off trailer and move on the transom wheels for launching, meaning the trailer never needs to dip into the salt water. The trailer wheels really make a difference, unloaded and loaded myself today with the engine mounted.

kevinsc · 01 August 2016, 05:14

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371383279591
I was thinking of using something like this

Explore Cowal · 04 August 2016, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Look at this on eBay New Boat Trailer Bottom Support Bracket with Keel Rollers Heavy Duty Bracket | eBay
I was thinking of using something like this

I looked at that prior to the wheels I bought. Looks ideal, but due to the long bunks on my trailer I wouldn't have been able to fit it.