Re: trailering a Micro
Paul,
Before the construction of my Micro began, I had been through a
string of boats and have crewed and delivered a number of large boats
in the 30-50 foot range. Hurricane Bob claimed boat #3 which was a
great family cruiser, the Rhodes 22'. It had a 2 foot draft with the
board up, and was a dog upwind. Striking the rig was also a pain in
the neck. As a consequence, it wound up living on the mooring.
Unfortunately, the hurricane moved faster than I could get the boat
out due to family and personal circumstances.
Next was the Herreshoff Goldeneye, very difficult to trailer and
set the mast through the deck hole. It was sold to finance a septic
system repair. Ouch!
I am convinced that Micro will be a great compromise of a number
of
things.
1. The cabin should be quite liveable for a couple of days with one
other person aboard. The way things are going today, I think I will
take the dog.
2. The rig is about as simple as it gets. A self-tending catboat?
Cool.
3. The boat will sneak in and out of areas that other boat just
dream
about opening up areas to explore where the kids can get out and
squish the mud between their toes.
4. When bad weather is approaching, the rig can be struck quickly,
and the boat hauled on a cradle, or by a yard with only power boat
stands available. (this is a problem in a few yards in southeast,MA.)
Or, in an emergency, a good hurricane hole could be found that no one
else would bother with.
Before the construction of my Micro began, I had been through a
string of boats and have crewed and delivered a number of large boats
in the 30-50 foot range. Hurricane Bob claimed boat #3 which was a
great family cruiser, the Rhodes 22'. It had a 2 foot draft with the
board up, and was a dog upwind. Striking the rig was also a pain in
the neck. As a consequence, it wound up living on the mooring.
Unfortunately, the hurricane moved faster than I could get the boat
out due to family and personal circumstances.
Next was the Herreshoff Goldeneye, very difficult to trailer and
set the mast through the deck hole. It was sold to finance a septic
system repair. Ouch!
I am convinced that Micro will be a great compromise of a number
of
things.
1. The cabin should be quite liveable for a couple of days with one
other person aboard. The way things are going today, I think I will
take the dog.
2. The rig is about as simple as it gets. A self-tending catboat?
Cool.
3. The boat will sneak in and out of areas that other boat just
dream
about opening up areas to explore where the kids can get out and
squish the mud between their toes.
4. When bad weather is approaching, the rig can be struck quickly,
and the boat hauled on a cradle, or by a yard with only power boat
stands available. (this is a problem in a few yards in southeast,MA.)
Or, in an emergency, a good hurricane hole could be found that no one
else would bother with.
Chuck Leinweber wrote:
I have always thought of O'Brien's designs as variations on the Oregon Dory
theme.
HJ
--
_ _ _ _ _
% Harrywelshman@...
> Jim:I'm with Chuck
>
> I agree with all your points about trailers and towing, and yes, I find them
> helpful. I do have a question, though. I have admired Tracy Obrien's
> Kayleigh:
>http://www.localaccess.com/tracy/Kayliegh.htm
> but I don't know why he refers to it as a "sharpie". I have seen hulls of
> this shape before which were referred to as "dories". Where do I get a
> program so I can tell the players apart?
>
> Chuck
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Been reading all this trailer talk and I haven't seen mention of two
> > important considerations: Vehicle weight compared to trailer weight(with
> > boat full of gear and stuff) and driveline configuration.
> >
> > Heavier, environmentally less-friendly, rear wheel drive vehicles with
> full
> > frames tow best. Doesn't have to be a pick up truck or the overpriced and
> > oversold sport ute either. Save the wear and tear on the the family
> > minivan, Ford Taurus or Honda Accord and get an older full size sled like
> > the Chevy Caprice, Merc Colony Park Wagon, Ford Crown Vic, or anybody's
> full
> > size van. These vehicles will all tow the Micro and trailer with no
> > modifications to the vehicles except the hitch/wiring. In fact, they will
> > tow a whole lot more than most of us will ever build in our garages/back
> > yards. Just think, you could someday tow a Sam Devlin designed Surf
> Scoter
> > on a tandem axle trailer to just about any water.
> >
> > Just a suggestion....besides, picture this: steep, wet, ramp...front
> wheel
> > drive...100# + hitch weight...vehicle weight transfer shifting rearward
> due
> > to the incline...this can spell traction trouble and stress on
> transmissions
> > they were never designed to take.
> >
> > I'm about to dive into a 15 year dream called the Kayleigh. Stitch and
> glue,
> > sharpie hull, cuddy cabin 18 footer designed by Tracy O'Brien. It will be
> > towed on a conventional boat trailer behind my '70 Ford F100 gas guzzler.
> > No problem.
> >
> > Didn't mean to get on a soap box, but why not...maybe this diatribe will
> > help someone.
> >
> > BTW, has anyone out there built the Kayleigh? Like to talk with you.
> >
> > Jim Chamberlin
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Barker [mailto:lgbarker@...]
> > > Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 6:05 PM
> > > To:bolger@egroups.com
> > > Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
> > >
> > >
> > > We used to haul a MacGregor 26 (no class but it was fun :) - about 2000
> > > lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and the dreaded
> > > transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly new but we
> > > never had any problems.
> > >
> > > Important points:
> > >
> > > * Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity
> > > of your car.
> > > You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
> > > * If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
> > > brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac worked great.
> > >
> > > As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
> > > setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part
> > > for us. The
> > > mast, etc. took the effort.
> > >
> > > Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Old school buds here:
> > >http://click.egroups.com/1/4057/10/_/3457/_/959389620/
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Find long lost high school friends:
> >http://click.egroups.com/1/4056/10/_/3457/_/959407003/
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Missing old school friends? Find them here:
>http://click.egroups.com/1/4055/10/_/3457/_/959434251/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have always thought of O'Brien's designs as variations on the Oregon Dory
theme.
HJ
--
_ _ _ _ _
% Harrywelshman@...
> but I don't know why he refers to it as a "sharpie". I have seenhulls of
> this shape before which were referred to as "doriesHe probably called it a sharpie because the flat bottom is wide
enought to get a lot of stability. A dory has a narrow bottom. It
gets its stability from carrying its load down low.
Still the flared bow does make it look something like the 'semi-dory'
style of skiff.
Peter
Don,
I'm in Antelope, CA outside of Sacramento. I'm not familiar with the Glen-L
model you mentioned, I'll have to look it up. As to planing speed, the
Kayleigh will be my boating attempt to enjoy life at displacement hull
speed. I've had a good daysailer and the Chevy powered planing rocket that
towed 3 skiers. My grandsons and I are going to spend time MAIB, but thanks
for the tip.
Jim
I'm in Antelope, CA outside of Sacramento. I'm not familiar with the Glen-L
model you mentioned, I'll have to look it up. As to planing speed, the
Kayleigh will be my boating attempt to enjoy life at displacement hull
speed. I've had a good daysailer and the Chevy powered planing rocket that
towed 3 skiers. My grandsons and I are going to spend time MAIB, but thanks
for the tip.
Jim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Donald Hodges [mailto:dhodges@...]
> Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 8:20 AM
> To:bolger@egroups.com
> Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
>
>
> Hi Jim,
>
> I looked long and close at Kayleigh when I was shopping for a minicruiser,
> but I wanted planing speed, so I'm working on this Glen-L Sweet
> Caroline 20
> footer with a self-designed cabin.
>
> Where are you? I would still like to see the Kayleigh some day.
>
> Don Hodges
>dhodges@...
>http://www.ecoastlife.com
> Your Cyber-Vacation - Loafing on the Emerald Coast
> Small Boats, Building, Fishing, Paddling, Rowing, Sailing
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jim Chamberlin RCSIS <jchamberlin@...>
> To: <bolger@egroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 12:56 AM
> Subject: RE: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
>
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Been reading all this trailer talk and I haven't seen mention of two
> > important considerations: Vehicle weight compared to trailer
> weight(with
> > boat full of gear and stuff) and driveline configuration.
> >
> > Heavier, environmentally less-friendly, rear wheel drive vehicles with
> full
> > frames tow best. Doesn't have to be a pick up truck or the
> overpriced and
> > oversold sport ute either. Save the wear and tear on the the family
> > minivan, Ford Taurus or Honda Accord and get an older full size
> sled like
> > the Chevy Caprice, Merc Colony Park Wagon, Ford Crown Vic, or anybody's
> full
> > size van. These vehicles will all tow the Micro and trailer with no
> > modifications to the vehicles except the hitch/wiring. In fact,
> they will
> > tow a whole lot more than most of us will ever build in our garages/back
> > yards. Just think, you could someday tow a Sam Devlin designed Surf
> Scoter
> > on a tandem axle trailer to just about any water.
> >
> > Just a suggestion....besides, picture this: steep, wet, ramp...front
> wheel
> > drive...100# + hitch weight...vehicle weight transfer shifting rearward
> due
> > to the incline...this can spell traction trouble and stress on
> transmissions
> > they were never designed to take.
> >
> > I'm about to dive into a 15 year dream called the Kayleigh. Stitch and
> glue,
> > sharpie hull, cuddy cabin 18 footer designed by Tracy O'Brien.
> It will be
> > towed on a conventional boat trailer behind my '70 Ford F100
> gas guzzler.
> > No problem.
> >
> > Didn't mean to get on a soap box, but why not...maybe this diatribe will
> > help someone.
> >
> > BTW, has anyone out there built the Kayleigh? Like to talk with you.
> >
> > Jim Chamberlin
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Barker [mailto:lgbarker@...]
> > > Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 6:05 PM
> > > To:bolger@egroups.com
> > > Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
> > >
> > >
> > > We used to haul a MacGregor 26 (no class but it was fun :) -
> about 2000
> > > lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and
> the dreaded
> > > transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly
> new but we
> > > never had any problems.
> > >
> > > Important points:
> > >
> > > * Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity
> > > of your car.
> > > You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
> > > * If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
> > > brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac
> worked great.
> > >
> > > As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
> > > setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part
> > > for us. The
> > > mast, etc. took the effort.
> > >
> > > Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
> > >
> > >
> > >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Old school buds here:
> > >http://click.egroups.com/1/4057/10/_/3457/_/959389620/
> > >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Find long lost high school friends:
> >http://click.egroups.com/1/4056/10/_/3457/_/959407003/
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Failed tests, classes skipped, forgotten locker combinations.
> Remember the good 'ol days
>http://click.egroups.com/1/4053/10/_/3457/_/959440701/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
Hi Jim,
I looked long and close at Kayleigh when I was shopping for a minicruiser,
but I wanted planing speed, so I'm working on this Glen-L Sweet Caroline 20
footer with a self-designed cabin.
Where are you? I would still like to see the Kayleigh some day.
Don Hodges
dhodges@...
http://www.ecoastlife.com
Your Cyber-Vacation - Loafing on the Emerald Coast
Small Boats, Building, Fishing, Paddling, Rowing, Sailing
I looked long and close at Kayleigh when I was shopping for a minicruiser,
but I wanted planing speed, so I'm working on this Glen-L Sweet Caroline 20
footer with a self-designed cabin.
Where are you? I would still like to see the Kayleigh some day.
Don Hodges
dhodges@...
http://www.ecoastlife.com
Your Cyber-Vacation - Loafing on the Emerald Coast
Small Boats, Building, Fishing, Paddling, Rowing, Sailing
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Chamberlin RCSIS <jchamberlin@...>
To: <bolger@egroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 12:56 AM
Subject: RE: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
> Hi all,
>
> Been reading all this trailer talk and I haven't seen mention of two
> important considerations: Vehicle weight compared to trailer weight(with
> boat full of gear and stuff) and driveline configuration.
>
> Heavier, environmentally less-friendly, rear wheel drive vehicles with
full
> frames tow best. Doesn't have to be a pick up truck or the overpriced and
> oversold sport ute either. Save the wear and tear on the the family
> minivan, Ford Taurus or Honda Accord and get an older full size sled like
> the Chevy Caprice, Merc Colony Park Wagon, Ford Crown Vic, or anybody's
full
> size van. These vehicles will all tow the Micro and trailer with no
> modifications to the vehicles except the hitch/wiring. In fact, they will
> tow a whole lot more than most of us will ever build in our garages/back
> yards. Just think, you could someday tow a Sam Devlin designed Surf
Scoter
> on a tandem axle trailer to just about any water.
>
> Just a suggestion....besides, picture this: steep, wet, ramp...front
wheel
> drive...100# + hitch weight...vehicle weight transfer shifting rearward
due
> to the incline...this can spell traction trouble and stress on
transmissions
> they were never designed to take.
>
> I'm about to dive into a 15 year dream called the Kayleigh. Stitch and
glue,
> sharpie hull, cuddy cabin 18 footer designed by Tracy O'Brien. It will be
> towed on a conventional boat trailer behind my '70 Ford F100 gas guzzler.
> No problem.
>
> Didn't mean to get on a soap box, but why not...maybe this diatribe will
> help someone.
>
> BTW, has anyone out there built the Kayleigh? Like to talk with you.
>
> Jim Chamberlin
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Barker [mailto:lgbarker@...]
> > Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 6:05 PM
> > To:bolger@egroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
> >
> >
> > We used to haul a MacGregor 26 (no class but it was fun :) - about 2000
> > lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and the dreaded
> > transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly new but we
> > never had any problems.
> >
> > Important points:
> >
> > * Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity
> > of your car.
> > You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
> > * If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
> > brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac worked great.
> >
> > As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
> > setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part
> > for us. The
> > mast, etc. took the effort.
> >
> > Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Old school buds here:
> >http://click.egroups.com/1/4057/10/_/3457/_/959389620/
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Find long lost high school friends:
>http://click.egroups.com/1/4056/10/_/3457/_/959407003/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
In a message dated 5/27/00 8:31:16 AM Central Daylight Time,
chuck@...writes:
<< Where do I get a
program so I can tell the players apart? >>
Just remember, if there are cod scales in the bilge: its a dory, oyster
shells; its a sharpie; empty beer cans, its just a boat!
Apologies to the wit who first posted this. Just couldn't restrain myself.
Bill in MN
chuck@...writes:
<< Where do I get a
program so I can tell the players apart? >>
Just remember, if there are cod scales in the bilge: its a dory, oyster
shells; its a sharpie; empty beer cans, its just a boat!
Apologies to the wit who first posted this. Just couldn't restrain myself.
Bill in MN
Jim:
I agree with all your points about trailers and towing, and yes, I find them
helpful. I do have a question, though. I have admired Tracy Obrien's
Kayleigh:
http://www.localaccess.com/tracy/Kayliegh.htm
but I don't know why he refers to it as a "sharpie". I have seen hulls of
this shape before which were referred to as "dories". Where do I get a
program so I can tell the players apart?
Chuck
I agree with all your points about trailers and towing, and yes, I find them
helpful. I do have a question, though. I have admired Tracy Obrien's
Kayleigh:
http://www.localaccess.com/tracy/Kayliegh.htm
but I don't know why he refers to it as a "sharpie". I have seen hulls of
this shape before which were referred to as "dories". Where do I get a
program so I can tell the players apart?
Chuck
> Hi all,full
>
> Been reading all this trailer talk and I haven't seen mention of two
> important considerations: Vehicle weight compared to trailer weight(with
> boat full of gear and stuff) and driveline configuration.
>
> Heavier, environmentally less-friendly, rear wheel drive vehicles with
> frames tow best. Doesn't have to be a pick up truck or the overpriced andfull
> oversold sport ute either. Save the wear and tear on the the family
> minivan, Ford Taurus or Honda Accord and get an older full size sled like
> the Chevy Caprice, Merc Colony Park Wagon, Ford Crown Vic, or anybody's
> size van. These vehicles will all tow the Micro and trailer with noScoter
> modifications to the vehicles except the hitch/wiring. In fact, they will
> tow a whole lot more than most of us will ever build in our garages/back
> yards. Just think, you could someday tow a Sam Devlin designed Surf
> on a tandem axle trailer to just about any water.wheel
>
> Just a suggestion....besides, picture this: steep, wet, ramp...front
> drive...100# + hitch weight...vehicle weight transfer shifting rearwarddue
> to the incline...this can spell traction trouble and stress ontransmissions
> they were never designed to take.glue,
>
> I'm about to dive into a 15 year dream called the Kayleigh. Stitch and
> sharpie hull, cuddy cabin 18 footer designed by Tracy O'Brien. It will be
> towed on a conventional boat trailer behind my '70 Ford F100 gas guzzler.
> No problem.
>
> Didn't mean to get on a soap box, but why not...maybe this diatribe will
> help someone.
>
> BTW, has anyone out there built the Kayleigh? Like to talk with you.
>
> Jim Chamberlin
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Barker [mailto:lgbarker@...]
> > Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 6:05 PM
> > To:bolger@egroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
> >
> >
> > We used to haul a MacGregor 26 (no class but it was fun :) - about 2000
> > lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and the dreaded
> > transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly new but we
> > never had any problems.
> >
> > Important points:
> >
> > * Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity
> > of your car.
> > You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
> > * If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
> > brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac worked great.
> >
> > As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
> > setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part
> > for us. The
> > mast, etc. took the effort.
> >
> > Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Old school buds here:
> >http://click.egroups.com/1/4057/10/_/3457/_/959389620/
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Find long lost high school friends:
>http://click.egroups.com/1/4056/10/_/3457/_/959407003/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
Hi all,
Been reading all this trailer talk and I haven't seen mention of two
important considerations: Vehicle weight compared to trailer weight(with
boat full of gear and stuff) and driveline configuration.
Heavier, environmentally less-friendly, rear wheel drive vehicles with full
frames tow best. Doesn't have to be a pick up truck or the overpriced and
oversold sport ute either. Save the wear and tear on the the family
minivan, Ford Taurus or Honda Accord and get an older full size sled like
the Chevy Caprice, Merc Colony Park Wagon, Ford Crown Vic, or anybody's full
size van. These vehicles will all tow the Micro and trailer with no
modifications to the vehicles except the hitch/wiring. In fact, they will
tow a whole lot more than most of us will ever build in our garages/back
yards. Just think, you could someday tow a Sam Devlin designed Surf Scoter
on a tandem axle trailer to just about any water.
Just a suggestion....besides, picture this: steep, wet, ramp...front wheel
drive...100# + hitch weight...vehicle weight transfer shifting rearward due
to the incline...this can spell traction trouble and stress on transmissions
they were never designed to take.
I'm about to dive into a 15 year dream called the Kayleigh. Stitch and glue,
sharpie hull, cuddy cabin 18 footer designed by Tracy O'Brien. It will be
towed on a conventional boat trailer behind my '70 Ford F100 gas guzzler.
No problem.
Didn't mean to get on a soap box, but why not...maybe this diatribe will
help someone.
BTW, has anyone out there built the Kayleigh? Like to talk with you.
Jim Chamberlin
Been reading all this trailer talk and I haven't seen mention of two
important considerations: Vehicle weight compared to trailer weight(with
boat full of gear and stuff) and driveline configuration.
Heavier, environmentally less-friendly, rear wheel drive vehicles with full
frames tow best. Doesn't have to be a pick up truck or the overpriced and
oversold sport ute either. Save the wear and tear on the the family
minivan, Ford Taurus or Honda Accord and get an older full size sled like
the Chevy Caprice, Merc Colony Park Wagon, Ford Crown Vic, or anybody's full
size van. These vehicles will all tow the Micro and trailer with no
modifications to the vehicles except the hitch/wiring. In fact, they will
tow a whole lot more than most of us will ever build in our garages/back
yards. Just think, you could someday tow a Sam Devlin designed Surf Scoter
on a tandem axle trailer to just about any water.
Just a suggestion....besides, picture this: steep, wet, ramp...front wheel
drive...100# + hitch weight...vehicle weight transfer shifting rearward due
to the incline...this can spell traction trouble and stress on transmissions
they were never designed to take.
I'm about to dive into a 15 year dream called the Kayleigh. Stitch and glue,
sharpie hull, cuddy cabin 18 footer designed by Tracy O'Brien. It will be
towed on a conventional boat trailer behind my '70 Ford F100 gas guzzler.
No problem.
Didn't mean to get on a soap box, but why not...maybe this diatribe will
help someone.
BTW, has anyone out there built the Kayleigh? Like to talk with you.
Jim Chamberlin
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barker [mailto:lgbarker@...]
> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 6:05 PM
> To:bolger@egroups.com
> Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
>
>
> We used to haul a MacGregor 26 (no class but it was fun :) - about 2000
> lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and the dreaded
> transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly new but we
> never had any problems.
>
> Important points:
>
> * Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity
> of your car.
> You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
> * If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
> brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac worked great.
>
> As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
> setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part
> for us. The
> mast, etc. took the effort.
>
> Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Old school buds here:
>http://click.egroups.com/1/4057/10/_/3457/_/959389620/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
We used to haul a MacGregor 26 (no class but it was fun :) - about 2000
lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and the dreaded
transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly new but we
never had any problems.
Important points:
* Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity of your car.
You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
* If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac worked great.
As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part for us. The
mast, etc. took the effort.
Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
lbs - with a 1990 stretched Plymough Voyager w/ a 3.3 V6 and the dreaded
transmission. They recalled & rebuild the tranny when fairly new but we
never had any problems.
Important points:
* Check the car's manual - it will tell you the towing capacity of your car.
You often have the power but the frame, tranny, etc. may get unhappy.
* If the boat is fairly heavy as a percentage of the car, get trailer
brakes. The simple "surge" brakes that came with the Mac worked great.
As this and other threads have emphasised, experiment and make the
setup/teardown as simple as possible. Towing was the easy part for us. The
mast, etc. took the effort.
Larry Barker - Talent, Oregon
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Paul A. Lefebvre, Jr." <paul@w...> wrote:
was a 4 cyl, short wheelbase Voyager. I towed the Mariner with it.
The Villager has much more power and a factory tow rating of 4000lbs
(as I remember) whereas the Voyager had a factory tow rating of
2000lbs. Actually, as I read the user manual, the Voyager had a
2000lb load limit which included everything in the van as well as the
tow.
The tranny on the Voyager was rebuilt at about 80,000, but it's hard
to blame the towing which probably amounted to less than 50 miles
total.
Currently I do my 10 mpy (miles per year) of towing with a 1988 Buick
Century which has a V-6.
Peter
> My van is a '93 Mercury Villager, a.k.a. Nissan Quest.My current van is a Villager; no hitch on it as yet. The former van
was a 4 cyl, short wheelbase Voyager. I towed the Mariner with it.
The Villager has much more power and a factory tow rating of 4000lbs
(as I remember) whereas the Voyager had a factory tow rating of
2000lbs. Actually, as I read the user manual, the Voyager had a
2000lb load limit which included everything in the van as well as the
tow.
The tranny on the Voyager was rebuilt at about 80,000, but it's hard
to blame the towing which probably amounted to less than 50 miles
total.
Currently I do my 10 mpy (miles per year) of towing with a 1988 Buick
Century which has a V-6.
Peter
I can't believe anyone would hang onto a car through its 5th tranny! Must
really love that van.....
My van is a '93 Mercury Villager, a.k.a. Nissan Quest. So far (2 years
ownership) it seems quite stout - but you never know. My local ramp is long
and evenly pitched, not too steep, kind of shallow at the water end, good
pavement all the way up. I think I would at the minimum have to work around
the tide question, I have just barely seen the end of that concrete pad
once, at an extremely low tide......
Anyway, appreciate all the input; too bad it appears to be about as split as
I was when I asked the question! Guess I'll continue to think about this for
awhile, maybe look at some of the other designs suggested, wouldn't start
building til sometime next winter anyway, but might be fun to settle on a
design, buy plans and build a model to keep me out of trouble. I just can't
get past the adoration people seem to have for their micros, and I'd really
like to try a small, cheap Bolger box cruiser before choosing a liveaboard
design in the 30-35' range a few years down the road. Once you adjust your
sense of aesthetics, by all reports they seem to be the best things around
for us do-it-yourselfers on a low budget. Would still enjoy hearing from any
Micro trailer-sailors out there about their experiences!
thanks,
Paul
paul@...
really love that van.....
My van is a '93 Mercury Villager, a.k.a. Nissan Quest. So far (2 years
ownership) it seems quite stout - but you never know. My local ramp is long
and evenly pitched, not too steep, kind of shallow at the water end, good
pavement all the way up. I think I would at the minimum have to work around
the tide question, I have just barely seen the end of that concrete pad
once, at an extremely low tide......
Anyway, appreciate all the input; too bad it appears to be about as split as
I was when I asked the question! Guess I'll continue to think about this for
awhile, maybe look at some of the other designs suggested, wouldn't start
building til sometime next winter anyway, but might be fun to settle on a
design, buy plans and build a model to keep me out of trouble. I just can't
get past the adoration people seem to have for their micros, and I'd really
like to try a small, cheap Bolger box cruiser before choosing a liveaboard
design in the 30-35' range a few years down the road. Once you adjust your
sense of aesthetics, by all reports they seem to be the best things around
for us do-it-yourselfers on a low budget. Would still enjoy hearing from any
Micro trailer-sailors out there about their experiences!
thanks,
Paul
paul@...
In fairness to Chrysler and their dealers, I should have added that 4 1/2
repairs/replacements were fully covered under warranty, and the van was
regularly used for pulling a trailer.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul A. Lefebvre, Jr. [mailto:paul@...]
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 11:05 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: RE: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
I can't believe anyone would hang onto a car through its 5th tranny! Must
really love that van.....
repairs/replacements were fully covered under warranty, and the van was
regularly used for pulling a trailer.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul A. Lefebvre, Jr. [mailto:paul@...]
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 11:05 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: RE: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
I can't believe anyone would hang onto a car through its 5th tranny! Must
really love that van.....
So far I have only launched and recovered twice, but I used a 1994 6
cylinder Chrysler mini van with my Chebacco, and it was effortless. The
Chebacco is supposed to weigh some 1200 pounds, is 20' long and has 12"
draft. I'll weigh mine once I get the mast on her.
Some friends of ours have a 91 (I think) stretched Chrysler mini van and
they have had 5 transmission rebuilds or replacements. I was horrified to
hear this, but apparently it is only the stretched version for 90 and 91
(again, I think!) that has the problem. Luckily my wife didn't want to
drive something so long, so we looked for a short van.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: David Jost [mailto:djost@...]
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 9:17 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
a summer pastime of ours was to row the dinghy over the boat ramp at
low tide and watch the weekend warriors try to haul their heavy power
boats our with undermatched front wheel drive cars. There was
inevitably at least one blown transmission per hour. The tow truck
operators made a killing on the July 4th weekend!
Know your tides and pick a ramp that is not slick with weed/algae
if you are going to use a front drive car for this. A call to your
local harbormaster would pay off greatly on this one, as they will
know
which ramps to use and which to avoid. I know a J24 sailor who pulls
his boat with a Chrysler mini van with a 6 cyl engine. He has the
boatyard lift the boat off the trailer with a crane to launch it,
(then
steps the mast with the crane at the same time). The Micro is about
1000lbs lighter than a J24, but the hazards can be the same. A
longer
trailer or a trailer extension should be a great help. Triad
trailers
in Milford, Ct. make a great bunk trailer with a tongue extension
that
could be adapted for Micro use.
David Jost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best friends, most artistic, class clown Find 'em here:
http://click.egroups.com/1/4054/10/_/3457/_/959357862/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
cylinder Chrysler mini van with my Chebacco, and it was effortless. The
Chebacco is supposed to weigh some 1200 pounds, is 20' long and has 12"
draft. I'll weigh mine once I get the mast on her.
Some friends of ours have a 91 (I think) stretched Chrysler mini van and
they have had 5 transmission rebuilds or replacements. I was horrified to
hear this, but apparently it is only the stretched version for 90 and 91
(again, I think!) that has the problem. Luckily my wife didn't want to
drive something so long, so we looked for a short van.
Jamie Orr
-----Original Message-----
From: David Jost [mailto:djost@...]
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 9:17 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: trailering a Micro
a summer pastime of ours was to row the dinghy over the boat ramp at
low tide and watch the weekend warriors try to haul their heavy power
boats our with undermatched front wheel drive cars. There was
inevitably at least one blown transmission per hour. The tow truck
operators made a killing on the July 4th weekend!
Know your tides and pick a ramp that is not slick with weed/algae
if you are going to use a front drive car for this. A call to your
local harbormaster would pay off greatly on this one, as they will
know
which ramps to use and which to avoid. I know a J24 sailor who pulls
his boat with a Chrysler mini van with a 6 cyl engine. He has the
boatyard lift the boat off the trailer with a crane to launch it,
(then
steps the mast with the crane at the same time). The Micro is about
1000lbs lighter than a J24, but the hazards can be the same. A
longer
trailer or a trailer extension should be a great help. Triad
trailers
in Milford, Ct. make a great bunk trailer with a tongue extension
that
could be adapted for Micro use.
David Jost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best friends, most artistic, class clown Find 'em here:
http://click.egroups.com/1/4054/10/_/3457/_/959357862/
------------------------------------------------------------------------