Re: [bolger] micro trailering
Hi Trudy
Steep ramps are probably less of a problem than shallow ramps - at least on
a steep ramp the trailer submerges before the tow vehicle :)
Tongue extensions work, or you could try a variation on the Bolger's
winch-launch system explained in an MAIB article. If you replace the castor
on the trailer jack with a load-bearing wheel then you could roll the
trailer down the ramp on the end of a rope hitched to your towbar. Obviously
, the lower to the ground you can get the boat the earlier it will float -
an inch lower is well worth achieving, since the PPI is relatively high.
By fitting the after well drains with bungs you could gain the buoyancy of
that section of the hull to help float the stern, pulling the bungs after
launching.
You may not need anything other than a standard trailer - Micro has that
deep keel aft, but floats off the trailer before much of the hull proper
gets wet. The waterline on the plans is drawn at 1650 lbs, and few Micro's
will weigh that much empty.
cheers
Derek
Steep ramps are probably less of a problem than shallow ramps - at least on
a steep ramp the trailer submerges before the tow vehicle :)
Tongue extensions work, or you could try a variation on the Bolger's
winch-launch system explained in an MAIB article. If you replace the castor
on the trailer jack with a load-bearing wheel then you could roll the
trailer down the ramp on the end of a rope hitched to your towbar. Obviously
, the lower to the ground you can get the boat the earlier it will float -
an inch lower is well worth achieving, since the PPI is relatively high.
By fitting the after well drains with bungs you could gain the buoyancy of
that section of the hull to help float the stern, pulling the bungs after
launching.
You may not need anything other than a standard trailer - Micro has that
deep keel aft, but floats off the trailer before much of the hull proper
gets wet. The waterline on the plans is drawn at 1650 lbs, and few Micro's
will weigh that much empty.
cheers
Derek
I used an old power boat trailer for my Chebacco. Not as much draft as a Micro, but still about 12 inches. Old power boat trailers
have bent cross pieces, and drop axles, and I have no problem launching anywhere. I rarely get the back tires wet.
Pictures here:
http://www.chebacco.com/articles/chebacco7.1/article.htm
However, I do have a 4x4, so getting the back tires wet isn't a problem for me.
have bent cross pieces, and drop axles, and I have no problem launching anywhere. I rarely get the back tires wet.
Pictures here:
http://www.chebacco.com/articles/chebacco7.1/article.htm
However, I do have a 4x4, so getting the back tires wet isn't a problem for me.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trudy Nash" <tnash@...>
To: "Bolger Forum" <bolger@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 1:01 PM
Subject: [bolger] micro trailering
> Hi again! You all have been helpful in your advice about my possible
> micro purchase. Now the issue that's troubling me is that the boat will
> have to sit high on the trailer to accommodate the sway back and keel.
> There's a good chance I'd be trailering it myself a good deal with an
> old ford V8 conversiion van. Seems like I'd have to back it DEEP into
> the water to get her afloat, possibly getting my wheels spinning on a
> mossy ramp somewhere on the rocky coast of Maine. Their ramps are
> pretty steep. I found a trailer with rollers and side supports and can
> probably get a long tongue. But still, it sits high. Do many of you
> micro cruisers trailer your boats? My intention is to harbor hop.. Any
> suggestions?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Trudy
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
Trudy -
It does sit high in the back. You will need to get into about 4.5 ft
of water to float it if your trailer does not have a drop axle.
Here is how I did it.
I got two 2X4's that were 10 feet long and laminated them together
with WEST epoxy left over from the building project.
I then attached two cleats to one end and a 2" trailer hitch to the
other end.
To use it. I back down the ramp til the wheels are about 1' away from
the waters edge. CHOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS. Then I unhitched the
trailer from the car and drove up 10 feet. You can guess what
happens next.
I attach the tongue of the 10' wood extension to the car, and lash
the back end of the tongue to the trailer with low stretch rope and
cleat to the cleats on the extension. REMOVE THE CHOCKS. Back down
ramp til the boat is floating!
The wonderful thing is that with boat guides (long pvc pipe sections)
on both sides of the boat you can take your time from here.
This worked like a charm. Do the reverse to retreive.
David Jost
It does sit high in the back. You will need to get into about 4.5 ft
of water to float it if your trailer does not have a drop axle.
Here is how I did it.
I got two 2X4's that were 10 feet long and laminated them together
with WEST epoxy left over from the building project.
I then attached two cleats to one end and a 2" trailer hitch to the
other end.
To use it. I back down the ramp til the wheels are about 1' away from
the waters edge. CHOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS. Then I unhitched the
trailer from the car and drove up 10 feet. You can guess what
happens next.
I attach the tongue of the 10' wood extension to the car, and lash
the back end of the tongue to the trailer with low stretch rope and
cleat to the cleats on the extension. REMOVE THE CHOCKS. Back down
ramp til the boat is floating!
The wonderful thing is that with boat guides (long pvc pipe sections)
on both sides of the boat you can take your time from here.
This worked like a charm. Do the reverse to retreive.
David Jost
Hi again! You all have been helpful in your advice about my possible
micro purchase. Now the issue that's troubling me is that the boat will
have to sit high on the trailer to accommodate the sway back and keel.
There's a good chance I'd be trailering it myself a good deal with an
old ford V8 conversiion van. Seems like I'd have to back it DEEP into
the water to get her afloat, possibly getting my wheels spinning on a
mossy ramp somewhere on the rocky coast of Maine. Their ramps are
pretty steep. I found a trailer with rollers and side supports and can
probably get a long tongue. But still, it sits high. Do many of you
micro cruisers trailer your boats? My intention is to harbor hop.. Any
suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Trudy
micro purchase. Now the issue that's troubling me is that the boat will
have to sit high on the trailer to accommodate the sway back and keel.
There's a good chance I'd be trailering it myself a good deal with an
old ford V8 conversiion van. Seems like I'd have to back it DEEP into
the water to get her afloat, possibly getting my wheels spinning on a
mossy ramp somewhere on the rocky coast of Maine. Their ramps are
pretty steep. I found a trailer with rollers and side supports and can
probably get a long tongue. But still, it sits high. Do many of you
micro cruisers trailer your boats? My intention is to harbor hop.. Any
suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Trudy