23' Trailer Question...

[abl1111]

Focusing on making my trailer safe. If anyone w/ a 1/2 a brain saw the condition of the trailer that trailered my Tsunami up from Florida to New York - you would have sh_t: (2) blown tire etc ...!

E-Beach - I was just a 'little' luckier than you !

The craziest part is that it made it here !!!

Anyway, it's dual axle, galvanized I-beam, float-on type. I think I figured out it's a mid '80's Rockland, or Rockwell - whichever, the original manufact is gone.

The questions:

I need to replace the wood float-on bunks ( each bunk is currently made up of (1) pc of 6"x6"x6'long - mounted to the trailer w/ U-bolts and then a 2"x8" lag screwed in, flat on top of that ). I want to repalce all. What is a good dimension of wood for a float-on for these hulls and what is the centerline distance between the two bunks once mounted ?

What size keel rollers do you use ?

What should the 'tongue weigh' ?

Thx,

Alan

[Ryank]

Having just recently spent alot of time at trailer shops and purchasing a used 23 aluminum trailer I hope I can help.
First if you plan on a float on you dont need rollers. Out of 20 rental trailers at a friends store ranging from 18 to 40 ft not a single float on used rollers. all of his bunks were 8- 10 feet long 4 inches thick and 10 inches high. The centerline on all of his were directly on top of the Trailer beams . The height of the bunks helps to keep the boat from making any close contact with the trailer. and up near the bow before its rise there are either another set of smaller bunks closer together or a cross bunk with a "V" notched out and carpet or that slippery plastic screwed into the "V" Hope this helps
RyanK

[Ryank]

I almost forgot I have always heard the tongue weight should be around 100-200 pounds or 5% of the boats weight.
too little tongue weight will make the trailer sway badly. and too much will effect braking in a very very bad way.
RyanK

[ScottM]

Alan,
I'll have to send you a pic of my trailer. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Like your boat, mine also came up from FL and it's a miracle that it made it.

I've always been told that tongue weight should be around 7% of the total load.

[abl1111]

Thx for the responses although I need a bit more info. And, if anyone has the exact measurements of their bunks ------ it would be much appreciated.

" Bunks were 8-10 feet long 4 inches thick and 10 inches high "
I have heard different approaches to bunks. Some use the type you describe - the thick, solid approach, while others have said use 'thinner' bunk material that will 'flex' when the boat is on, and therefore contour to the shape of the hull.

" The centerline on all of his were directly on top of the Trailer beams "
What does this mean exactly ? Which beams ?

thx,

Alan

[Ryank]

Ahh Im so used to aluminum trailers,I forgot galvanized may be set up differently . On all my trailers the bunks rest directly on top of the main beams that run front to back on each side before it starts tapereing inward.
RyanK

[Rich]

http://seacraft.snetsol.com/pics/muddy.mp3
[img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[abl1111]

Rich,

I love Muddy !!! Don't know why you sent it to me, but thanks - really. So clear where rock 'n roll is from !

Have a good holiday weekend - we are actually going to get out of this 4 day, all encompassing rain and fog for the weekend.

Oh, how about helping me w/ the trailer. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

alan

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Abe
I went with the Loadmaster trailer that uses those thick bunks 4” x 10” by 10’ long I would go that way for your boat. There is one thing that has not come up yet in comments about bunks that I felt should be mentioned. SeaCraft hulls have a variable dead rise that means that the bunds will not touch the boat as you progress towards the bow. Which doesn’t make any difference because there is more that enough bunk to support the boat on the Loadmaster bunks they cut a triangle out of the top inside part of the bunk that helps distribute more of the boat weight. I had them use all stanless steel for the bolts 5 years from know I know I will be very happy about that decision.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]