RE: [bolger] Micro trailers (was Science in the basement )
Thanks for the excellent information! I'll put it to good use.
Happy New Year to all Bolgerados!
Paul Lefebvre
-----Original Message-----
From: Dawn and Derek [mailto:dgw@...]
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 4:24 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Micro trailers (was Science in the basement )
Happy New Year to all Bolgerados!
Paul Lefebvre
-----Original Message-----
From: Dawn and Derek [mailto:dgw@...]
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 4:24 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Micro trailers (was Science in the basement )
Hi Paul
Just as David says, getting the keel as low as possible is the key. You are
not likely to need to submerge the whole trailer. A tongue extension or
simply a long tongue would be a big help in keeping your tow vehicle dry
though.
The furthest forward transverse support on our trailer is over 4 feet aft of
the bow transom; Our Micro floats off the trailer (rigged and loaded) when
that bunk touches the water surface.
For obvious reaons most of Micro's weight on the trailer should be supported
under the keel, with the bunks or rollers keeping the boat from tilting to
the side. Using keel rollers mounted on dropped crossmembers allows you to
get the aft portion of the keel at or below the level of the axle. We used a
pair of short bunks on each side of the hull, mounted across the trailer
rather than along its length. That way the load is spread over the whole
bunk.
To balance for tongue weight with the boat level on the trailer you will
probably need to have the axle fall roughly 8 to 12 inches aft of the aft
cabin bulkhead.
cheers
Derek
Just as David says, getting the keel as low as possible is the key. You are
not likely to need to submerge the whole trailer. A tongue extension or
simply a long tongue would be a big help in keeping your tow vehicle dry
though.
The furthest forward transverse support on our trailer is over 4 feet aft of
the bow transom; Our Micro floats off the trailer (rigged and loaded) when
that bunk touches the water surface.
For obvious reaons most of Micro's weight on the trailer should be supported
under the keel, with the bunks or rollers keeping the boat from tilting to
the side. Using keel rollers mounted on dropped crossmembers allows you to
get the aft portion of the keel at or below the level of the axle. We used a
pair of short bunks on each side of the hull, mounted across the trailer
rather than along its length. That way the load is spread over the whole
bunk.
To balance for tongue weight with the boat level on the trailer you will
probably need to have the axle fall roughly 8 to 12 inches aft of the aft
cabin bulkhead.
cheers
Derek