Re: [bolger] Re: a trailer for Micro/ Microgram
On Monday, November 12, 2001, at 05:08 PM, Orr, Jamie wrote:
Jamie raises some good points and may be correct, but I would like
offer a
different perspective.
I trail a 3000# + boat regularly. When the drive is down the draft is
over 30".
My trailer too carries the boat quite high. In my case I must back the
trailer
into the water until the tops of the fenders are just submerged. If the
ramp is
shallow you just have to back in further. I admit I have never launched
in
salt water. There is no way I would expose my car to salt water. For
that
matter I would think twice about putting my boat and trailer in salt
water. :^}
I believe that within limits weight and draft are not an issue. The
problem with
trailing a Micro is that the rocker of the bottom increases the
effective draft
when launching. When launching the trailer has to be in the water deep
enough for the deepest part of the hull to clear the shallowest aft
bunk. Now
if it is possible/wise to support the weight of the Micro on its keel
the bunks
on the sides would support little or no weight. Their only job would be
to
hold the boat upright. They could be very short and placed under the
deepest part of the hull.
There is still the problem of carrying the boat a low as possible on the
trailer.
I have seen torsion axle/half-axle assemblies in which there is no
vertical
movement of the axle itself. It may be possible for the bottom of the
keel to
be very near or a bit below axle level. The limit then becomes dips and
driveways. You don't want any part of your boat to be so low that going
into or out of your driveway causes damage.
There is no reason, I believe, not to trail a Micro to a lake unless the
water
is too shallow to sail. Beaching a boat is over rated. Personally I
don't put
my present boat on the sand. I have no problem getting my legs wet to
save scrapes on the bottom of my boat.
The Micro rig may be as much of a challenge as the trailer. There is
little
incentive to launch your boat if rigging at the ramp is a nightmare.
IMHO a
trailable sailboat must be fast and easy to rig.
FINALLY, if your vehicle is up to it, manufactors tow ratings can be
wildly
optimistic, you have the right trailer, and the right rig/setup go for
it. Trailing
a boat you love to new places or old friends is about as good as it gets.
hal; the verbose
> Hi MaxStuff deleted.
>
> I trailer a Chebacco, which draws 12 inches, and weighs about 1200
> pounds (I
> think) ready to go. The trailer has full size wheels and the bunks are
> above that, so maybe another trailer would make launching easier, but my
> experience with this one is that many ramps are only just steep enough.
> This is on salt water -- my only attempt to launch in fresh water failed
> because the ramp wasn't steep enough. No conclusive evidence, but I
> wouldn't choose a Micro to go lake hopping with its deeper draft and
> heavy
> lead keel. I'd go for a totally keel-less hull with no ballast for
> that,
> then no lake will be out of reach.
Jamie raises some good points and may be correct, but I would like
offer a
different perspective.
I trail a 3000# + boat regularly. When the drive is down the draft is
over 30".
My trailer too carries the boat quite high. In my case I must back the
trailer
into the water until the tops of the fenders are just submerged. If the
ramp is
shallow you just have to back in further. I admit I have never launched
in
salt water. There is no way I would expose my car to salt water. For
that
matter I would think twice about putting my boat and trailer in salt
water. :^}
I believe that within limits weight and draft are not an issue. The
problem with
trailing a Micro is that the rocker of the bottom increases the
effective draft
when launching. When launching the trailer has to be in the water deep
enough for the deepest part of the hull to clear the shallowest aft
bunk. Now
if it is possible/wise to support the weight of the Micro on its keel
the bunks
on the sides would support little or no weight. Their only job would be
to
hold the boat upright. They could be very short and placed under the
deepest part of the hull.
There is still the problem of carrying the boat a low as possible on the
trailer.
I have seen torsion axle/half-axle assemblies in which there is no
vertical
movement of the axle itself. It may be possible for the bottom of the
keel to
be very near or a bit below axle level. The limit then becomes dips and
driveways. You don't want any part of your boat to be so low that going
into or out of your driveway causes damage.
There is no reason, I believe, not to trail a Micro to a lake unless the
water
is too shallow to sail. Beaching a boat is over rated. Personally I
don't put
my present boat on the sand. I have no problem getting my legs wet to
save scrapes on the bottom of my boat.
The Micro rig may be as much of a challenge as the trailer. There is
little
incentive to launch your boat if rigging at the ramp is a nightmare.
IMHO a
trailable sailboat must be fast and easy to rig.
FINALLY, if your vehicle is up to it, manufactors tow ratings can be
wildly
optimistic, you have the right trailer, and the right rig/setup go for
it. Trailing
a boat you love to new places or old friends is about as good as it gets.
hal; the verbose
I built a trailer for my Frolic2 which worked great. Just as in the
Chebacco trailer you mention, it did set high enough that shallow ramps did
not work to well. It would always float up off the trailer but wouldn't
clear the last support at the rear of the trailer because of the rocker in
the bottom. Sometimes it was easier to just float it off or on sideways.
One thing I would change is to get a 4" over slung drop axle and stay with
the smaller 4.80 X 12" boat tires. I pulled my trailer in excess of 10,000
miles at 70 MPH or more on the same set of tires and never had a problem.
Grease or change the bearings every 3000 miles.
With a drop axle, smaller tires, and a trailer with the keel in mind, I
think you could launch a Micro most anywhere you would want to sail a Micro.
Jeff
Chebacco trailer you mention, it did set high enough that shallow ramps did
not work to well. It would always float up off the trailer but wouldn't
clear the last support at the rear of the trailer because of the rocker in
the bottom. Sometimes it was easier to just float it off or on sideways.
One thing I would change is to get a 4" over slung drop axle and stay with
the smaller 4.80 X 12" boat tires. I pulled my trailer in excess of 10,000
miles at 70 MPH or more on the same set of tires and never had a problem.
Grease or change the bearings every 3000 miles.
With a drop axle, smaller tires, and a trailer with the keel in mind, I
think you could launch a Micro most anywhere you would want to sail a Micro.
Jeff
Hi Max
I trailer a Chebacco, which draws 12 inches, and weighs about 1200 pounds (I
think) ready to go. The trailer has full size wheels and the bunks are
above that, so maybe another trailer would make launching easier, but my
experience with this one is that many ramps are only just steep enough.
This is on salt water -- my only attempt to launch in fresh water failed
because the ramp wasn't steep enough. No conclusive evidence, but I
wouldn't choose a Micro to go lake hopping with its deeper draft and heavy
lead keel. I'd go for a totally keel-less hull with no ballast for that,
then no lake will be out of reach.
Try this. Tie a stick to your trailer, mark where the waterline will be on
your Micro, and back the trailer into the lake. Will the Micro float off?
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From:cadbury@...[mailto:cadbury@...]
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 3:28 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: a trailer for Micro/ Microgram
I trailer a Chebacco, which draws 12 inches, and weighs about 1200 pounds (I
think) ready to go. The trailer has full size wheels and the bunks are
above that, so maybe another trailer would make launching easier, but my
experience with this one is that many ramps are only just steep enough.
This is on salt water -- my only attempt to launch in fresh water failed
because the ramp wasn't steep enough. No conclusive evidence, but I
wouldn't choose a Micro to go lake hopping with its deeper draft and heavy
lead keel. I'd go for a totally keel-less hull with no ballast for that,
then no lake will be out of reach.
Try this. Tie a stick to your trailer, mark where the waterline will be on
your Micro, and back the trailer into the lake. Will the Micro float off?
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From:cadbury@...[mailto:cadbury@...]
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 3:28 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: a trailer for Micro/ Microgram
--- In bolger@y..., ellengaest@b... wrote:
> Max,
> A Microgram.............;-)
>
> If one were to go with say,1/2" and that some of the"junk"
> included just about all you would need to seriously cruise with
along
> with the engine and fuel,not to mention liquid medicine for captain
> and crew;you would be not far wrong at near 1000lbs.
> Are you coming under the magic spell of that delicious
> temptress,the MICRO? Surrender can be so sweet!!!
> Sincerely,
> Peter Lenihan,one of many to have surrendered,from the shores of the
> St.Lawrence
>
I have a set of Micro plans (as does everyone else),
but am not sure if it is the proper boat for
trailering between Midwest American mud-holes.
I bought a galvanized 1200 lb trailer about a month
ago for my current project and was just wondering
if it would handle a Micro, maybe some day down the road...
Max
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--- In bolger@y..., ellengaest@b... wrote:
but am not sure if it is the proper boat for
trailering between Midwest American mud-holes.
I bought a galvanized 1200 lb trailer about a month
ago for my current project and was just wondering
if it would handle a Micro, maybe some day down the road...
Max
> Max,along
> A Microgram.............;-)
>
> If one were to go with say,1/2" and that some of the"junk"
> included just about all you would need to seriously cruise with
> with the engine and fuel,not to mention liquid medicine for captainI have a set of Micro plans (as does everyone else),
> and crew;you would be not far wrong at near 1000lbs.
> Are you coming under the magic spell of that delicious
> temptress,the MICRO? Surrender can be so sweet!!!
> Sincerely,
> Peter Lenihan,one of many to have surrendered,from the shores of the
> St.Lawrence
>
but am not sure if it is the proper boat for
trailering between Midwest American mud-holes.
I bought a galvanized 1200 lb trailer about a month
ago for my current project and was just wondering
if it would handle a Micro, maybe some day down the road...
Max
--- In bolger@y..., djost@m... wrote:
It is 2 1/2 inches square tube, outside. The wall thickness is 3/16"
or a little less. It is hammered over so difficult to measure exactly.
The front outside tube is 25 1/2 inches long, 3" square outside with
wall thickness a little less than 3/16" at any rate it has to accept
the extension tube. For storage there is a short section of the 3"
tube on a cross member roughly 6 feet to the rear. The extension is
canted several degrees off parallel with the centerline to clear the
regular trailer hitch. Do you need a sketch of the whole thing? I'll
need a regular mailing address if so.
Bob Chamberland
> Bob,The extension tongue is 116 inches to the center of the ball receiver.
> could you measure the diameters of the extension tongue, and
> outside tongue, plus their length. Triad definately knows what they
> are doing. It would be good to duplicate them as closely as
> possible.
>
> Thanks,
>
> David Jost
It is 2 1/2 inches square tube, outside. The wall thickness is 3/16"
or a little less. It is hammered over so difficult to measure exactly.
The front outside tube is 25 1/2 inches long, 3" square outside with
wall thickness a little less than 3/16" at any rate it has to accept
the extension tube. For storage there is a short section of the 3"
tube on a cross member roughly 6 feet to the rear. The extension is
canted several degrees off parallel with the centerline to clear the
regular trailer hitch. Do you need a sketch of the whole thing? I'll
need a regular mailing address if so.
Bob Chamberland
Bob,
could you measure the diameters of the extension tongue, and
outside tongue, plus their length. Triad definately knows what they
are doing. It would be good to duplicate them as closely as
possible.
Thanks,
David Jost
could you measure the diameters of the extension tongue, and
outside tongue, plus their length. Triad definately knows what they
are doing. It would be good to duplicate them as closely as
possible.
Thanks,
David Jost
--- In bolger@y..., djost@m... wrote:
outhouse. I have a Triad for my Cape Dory Typhoon which has the
extension tubing and all that. It came from Maine so is encrusted with
rust, the brakes don't work but the steel is sound and the wheel
bearings are in good health.
If you need any dimensions or details taken off please let me know. As
to the extension tube, the first time I tried to use it there was an
enormous amount of hammering and cussing but we finally got it out of
its storage position and into launch position. I ground all the rust
off and I now leave it in the garage until needed.
Bob Chamberland
> Group,Hi David, The Triad trailer is built like the proverbial brick
> The homebuilt one will at least fit her best, plus I owned a
> Triad trailer once for another boat that serves as a good model. I
> still have pictures of it to refer to for the bunks and keel guide.
> It had an extendable tongue that I would love to duplicate. It had a
> piece of square tubing about 8 feet long inside of another piece of
> square tube. As long as you kept it well greased and oiled it worked
> great.
>
outhouse. I have a Triad for my Cape Dory Typhoon which has the
extension tubing and all that. It came from Maine so is encrusted with
rust, the brakes don't work but the steel is sound and the wheel
bearings are in good health.
If you need any dimensions or details taken off please let me know. As
to the extension tube, the first time I tried to use it there was an
enormous amount of hammering and cussing but we finally got it out of
its storage position and into launch position. I ground all the rust
off and I now leave it in the garage until needed.
Bob Chamberland
Max,
A Microgram.............;-)
If one were to go with say,1/2" and that some of the"junk"
included just about all you would need to seriously cruise with along
with the engine and fuel,not to mention liquid medicine for captain
and crew;you would be not far wrong at near 1000lbs.
Are you coming under the magic spell of that delicious
temptress,the MICRO? Surrender can be so sweet!!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,one of many to have surrendered,from the shores of the
St.Lawrence
A Microgram.............;-)
If one were to go with say,1/2" and that some of the"junk"
included just about all you would need to seriously cruise with along
with the engine and fuel,not to mention liquid medicine for captain
and crew;you would be not far wrong at near 1000lbs.
Are you coming under the magic spell of that delicious
temptress,the MICRO? Surrender can be so sweet!!!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,one of many to have surrendered,from the shores of the
St.Lawrence
--- In bolger@y..., cadbury@s... wrote:
> How much does a micro weigh, anyhow??
>
> Assuming one built it from ply thicker than 1/4",
> and that it has some junk stowed aboard it.
>
>
> Max
David,
Sounds like you're in for a bit of fun!Judging by everything you
mentioned,the only thing missing is the steel!
Anyway,be careful!! If I didn't live so far away,I'd come over and
give you a hand along with a couple of bottles of nerve juice to
celebrate your new role as Vulcan,the welder of trailers!
Good Luck!!
Peter Lenihan
Sounds like you're in for a bit of fun!Judging by everything you
mentioned,the only thing missing is the steel!
Anyway,be careful!! If I didn't live so far away,I'd come over and
give you a hand along with a couple of bottles of nerve juice to
celebrate your new role as Vulcan,the welder of trailers!
Good Luck!!
Peter Lenihan
--- In bolger@y..., djost@m... wrote:
> Group,
> After much hemming and hawing, I have taken the plunge on the
> trailer for the Micro "Firefly".
> I have the arc welder in the garage, the extension cord to the
> stove outlet built, and a day when the family is out of the house.
I
> gave up on the idea of converting an old power boat trailer; all the
> ones I saw, were either rusted out, or needed too much work just to
> get them road ready.
> The homebuilt one will at least fit her best, plus I owned a
> Triad trailer once for another boat that serves as a good model. I
> still have pictures of it to refer to for the bunks and keel guide.
> It had an extendable tongue that I would love to duplicate. It had
a
> piece of square tubing about 8 feet long inside of another piece of
> square tube. As long as you kept it well greased and oiled it
worked
> great.
>
> Wish me luck.
> "David Jost, clad in: full boots, long sleeves, leather gloves,
and
> full head gear."
--- In bolger@y..., djost@m... wrote:
How much does a micro weigh, anyhow??
Assuming one built it from ply thicker than 1/4",
and that it has some junk stowed aboard it.
Max
> Group,I
> After much hemming and hawing, I have taken the plunge on the
> trailer for the Micro "Firefly".
> I have the arc welder in the garage, the extension cord to the
> stove outlet built, and a day when the family is out of the house.
How much does a micro weigh, anyhow??
Assuming one built it from ply thicker than 1/4",
and that it has some junk stowed aboard it.
Max
Group,
After much hemming and hawing, I have taken the plunge on the
trailer for the Micro "Firefly".
I have the arc welder in the garage, the extension cord to the
stove outlet built, and a day when the family is out of the house. I
gave up on the idea of converting an old power boat trailer; all the
ones I saw, were either rusted out, or needed too much work just to
get them road ready.
The homebuilt one will at least fit her best, plus I owned a
Triad trailer once for another boat that serves as a good model. I
still have pictures of it to refer to for the bunks and keel guide.
It had an extendable tongue that I would love to duplicate. It had a
piece of square tubing about 8 feet long inside of another piece of
square tube. As long as you kept it well greased and oiled it worked
great.
Wish me luck.
"David Jost, clad in: full boots, long sleeves, leather gloves, and
full head gear."
After much hemming and hawing, I have taken the plunge on the
trailer for the Micro "Firefly".
I have the arc welder in the garage, the extension cord to the
stove outlet built, and a day when the family is out of the house. I
gave up on the idea of converting an old power boat trailer; all the
ones I saw, were either rusted out, or needed too much work just to
get them road ready.
The homebuilt one will at least fit her best, plus I owned a
Triad trailer once for another boat that serves as a good model. I
still have pictures of it to refer to for the bunks and keel guide.
It had an extendable tongue that I would love to duplicate. It had a
piece of square tubing about 8 feet long inside of another piece of
square tube. As long as you kept it well greased and oiled it worked
great.
Wish me luck.
"David Jost, clad in: full boots, long sleeves, leather gloves, and
full head gear."