Zodiac FC-470 Trailer Recommendations?

Lincoln Charlie · 26 August 2011, 19:58

I haven't had any luck finding a trailer to use for my FC-470 that carries it effectively. I have a trailer that I'm using now that makes me cringe to transport it with. The wheel wells are too narrow and forcefully "hug" the sides of the craft. The bunks are too low and I have to throw on extra 2"x4"s to support the transom [see picture]. Has anyone found something that works perfectly? Or a certain model that is easily reconfigured? Any help you can offer is certainly appreciated by both myself and my Zodiac!

Thanks.

prairie tuber · 30 August 2011, 15:57

I'm not sure if you've seen this thread, but it may give you some ideas. Odds are you will have to do some degree of custom fabricating to accomodate a futura hull.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/t-t-mar...b-39086-3.html

Lincoln Charlie · 21 January 2012, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

I'm not sure if you've seen this thread, but it may give you some ideas. Odds are you will have to do some degree of custom fabricating to accomodate a futura hull.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/t-t-mar...b-39086-3.html

You were correct. I ended up having a custom trailer built:

kelson · 21 January 2012, 16:47

Nice trailer! Great to see that fc-470 getting the ride it deserves.

I only have one suggestion. Get a spare and most certainly don't rely on those flat fix inflator products. When those trailer tires go they tend to get ragged pretty quick! I carry one spare locally and two when I go places like Mex.

I have always wanted to head east and snorkle my way down to the Keys. That fc must take you some to some awesome reefs!

sinner · 24 January 2012, 04:53

I would suggest you move your winch stand forward so the transom is supported and provide the proper tongue weight. If there's too much tongue weight with the boat properly supported then you can have the tongue lengthened.

jyasaki · 24 January 2012, 16:19

I had the same impression as Sinner. Boat looks too far back on the trailer (but can't see details, so that may be wrong.)

Do you know the total trailer/boat weight and the nose weight? The latter should be about 7% of the former. If you're axle is moveable, that's an easier way to adjust tongue weight than messing with tongue length (on most trailers, anyway.)

Luck;

jky

kelson · 24 January 2012, 16:24

It is hard to see the bunks under the boat, but it does not appear that the transom is being directly supported. That is an important requirement to help avoid stresses on the transom. It is also specified by Zodiac in the manuals for their boats. A transom saver supporting the outboard is also a very good idea if you are towing any significant distance (it helps reduce dynamic loading on the transom).

After setting up my zodiac trailer I moved the axle forward to adjust the tongue weight to 10% of the total weight of the loaded trailer. On my trailer that was not a difficult move and I took the opportunity to replace the galvanized u bolts holding the axle assembly to the frame with stainless steel u bolts.

Be sure to post some pics from on the water!

Lincoln Charlie · 01 February 2012, 03:37

Hey everyone, appreciate the discussion! Those pictures are from the day I picks the trailer up. I should've put up the more recent pictures where I've done exactly what you're recommending re: transom & winch location. Like they say, great minds think alike. I may be taking it out tomorrow so I'll put up some new pics where you'll see precisely what you're advocating. I thought the same thing and was very happy after repositioning everything. The bunks are actually long enough though and the transom was supported all along. But now it rests right over the back of the trailer frame.

Lincoln Charlie · 02 February 2012, 04:24

As promised: Pictures reflecting the boat moved closer to the tongue with the transom being directly over the rear trailer brace. Empty trailer shots. And pictures of it in the water.

Enjoy!

sinner · 02 February 2012, 04:58

Looking good, Enjoy!

Projectile · 02 May 2013, 19:31

I notice that there is no support under the buoyancy tubes - all the weight seems to be on just those 2 bunks under the transom and floor material of the boat.

Any chaffing at the transom?

Any stretching of the floor material?

Lincoln Charlie · 02 May 2013, 19:38

You are correct. All weight is supported on the two bunks, which sit just inside of the Main buoyancy tubes. Surprisingly, I have not had any of the possible issues occur which you are inquiring about. Also, the company that built mine has built several in use by SOCOM at MacDill AFB. And all of theirs are designed the same way as well.

Projectile · 04 May 2013, 22:20

I have hears many different opinions on how to best support an inflatable on a trailer with motor on transom, but what makes most sense to me is to have support under the main pontoons with the boat properly inflated, and support under the transom, +/- skeg support for a tilted motor.

The transom offered by Triad Marine in Texas does all of that. The transom support is provided by 2 long but closely spaced bunks that extend from the transom all along the keel line to the front of the boat. It looks very tempting, but is very , very far from me (I'm in Calgary).

martini · 05 May 2013, 08:06

Theres a few details and pictures of the trailer I made for my FC470 here:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/t-t-mar...sib-39086.html

Anchorhandler · 05 May 2013, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Theres a few details and pictures of the trailer I made for my FC470 here:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/t-t-mar...sib-39086.html

"Today 0706" ... feck me Matt, you s*it the bed?

Missed your call yesterday... Whats up?

Simon

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

martini · 05 May 2013, 13:45

8.06 bst and I'm severely constipated at the mo so would happily STB

Bit late now but pumped engine oil out of both inboards then found I'd been sent the wrong filters

Had enough filters for one engine, the other I just filled with fresh oil and will swap filters when I get the right ones.
Was just after you're opinion on doing that, have I spoiled my new oil that much?

Thread drift apologies

Sent from my portable speaking device using Rib.net

jyasaki · 07 May 2013, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

I have hears many different opinions on how to best support an inflatable on a trailer with motor on transom, but what makes most sense to me is to have support under the main pontoons with the boat properly inflated, and support under the transom, +/- skeg support for a tilted motor.

Hmm. Seems to me that the most solid part would be the floor. The floor contacts the boat bottom at the edges of the floor and the inside of the tubes. That would be the most solid part to support the boats weight, IMO.

Definitely want support for the transom, and support to keep the motor from penduluming while on the trailer would be a good idea to reduce stress on the transom joints.

jky

Projectile · 07 May 2013, 20:23

Jyasaki, I'd be worried about chaffing along the floor-tube interface. That seems like a narrow strip upon which to place all of the weight.

It seems to me that it would be better if you could spread the weight over a larger surface area including 2 wide bunks all along the pontoons, and over 2 more bunks along the keel line that extend beyond the transom.

But I must admit that I am purely speculating. There don't seem to be any authorities with plenty of trailering experience with large SIBS and heavy outboards to look to. Rather, there just seem to be small anecdotal experiences. So I suppose the best position to hold on this question is, "who knows?"

whisper · 27 June 2013, 20:19

Finally got a FC470

Does anywhere do a off the shelf trailer that will fit it, or does it have to be a custom job?

Here's the sizes:

http://www.schlauchboot-service.de/b...rine/fc470.pdf

Lincoln Charlie · 27 June 2013, 20:56

Congrats on your 470! In answer to your question; yes and no. Mine is custom built. But after having seen the finished product I likely could've bought a factory trailer and adjusted the bunks to accommodate it. A few things to note when looking for a trailer. The bunks need to be long enough to go the entire length of the boat and underneath the transom. They need to be turned completely flat. They need to be positioned just inside of the MBT's (main buoyancy tubes). They also need to be high enough so that the MBT's don't touch the wheel wells. I could give you measurements if I was home. But that's the crux of it.