Builders' Forum |
|
↓ Scroll to Last Comment ↓ | Forum Guidelines | Builders' Forum | RSS |
I am thinking about buying a used trailer for my dory. An escort 14' and several PCW trailers are available in my area. For those of you that trailer a dory, where does it ride on the bunks? The flat bottom is only 21" at it's widest point. Does this boat ride well with the bunks on panel 1 providing I can get the bunks moved to that aspect. Any used trailer will be difficult to adjust due to rust & corrosion. Ideally a new Trailex 250 is preferred but to costly at this time. 2nd - what is the minimal length of a trailer for a 17' boat? Can the last 4-5' overhang the end of the trailer without problems. A PWC trailer is typically shorter. Without seeing it I would suppose the last tie down would be near seat #3 near the oar lock. Towing is not an issue, I'm looking for boat safety.
6 replies:
RE: trailer for dory
Wasn't the dory used by New England cod fishermen to stack on a flat deck of a scooner. They'd haul the stack of dorys (dories?) out to the banks unstack the boats and send them fisherman, hand lines and bait out fishing.
With that in mind a flat landscapers trailer w/o ramp would work by sitting the boat flat on the deck and tying it down.
RE: trailer for dory
My Dory sits on a trailex 250. Bunks are set as low as they will go and very close together so they support the flat bottom panel of hull. Also skewed slightly at aft end to pinch the skeg as the boat slides up. That helps to get the skeg centered on the aft roller. (Roller bracket will eat the skeg if it's dragged along the bracket instead of roller.) Last foot or 18" of the skeg hang over the end of trailer. Forward edge of bunks hit about midway point on the boat. Forward roller supports the bow about 18-20" aft of the forward point of the bottom panel. Forward strap wraps around the gunnels at the mast partner. Aft strap rides about over top of the 3rd seat. There is no winch or winch tower, just the handle assembly with a third roller up high that catches the stem just below the pad eye.
Big bonus with the Trailex is the light weight which allows it to be used as a hand cart as well as behind your truck.
John H. suggested sitting the boat flat on the bunks rather than angling to support the first strake.
RE: trailer for dory
https://picasaweb.google.com/114717787929554738224/BuildingWoodenBoatCLCNortheasterDory?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKCBzczm_aKs2wE&feat=directlink See pictures 140-148. "Does this boat ride well with the bunks on panel 1" Yes it does, nicely, but I may realign things to try Eric's method...also, if you ever do get a Trailex trailer, dont get the 200...no suspension...the 250 CLC is a much better trailer in many ways.
RE: trailer for dory
I use a Harbor Freight trailer with bunk hardware and carpeted Trex boards for the bunks. The bunks have just the right flexibility to take on the curvature of the hull. It's a great setup and I've driven many thousands of miles with no problems. See the link below for some pictures of the setup. I also built a bike rack so I can easily transport a bike or two as well.
-Bob
https://picasaweb.google.com/118310443422100205131/NEDoryTrailer?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMCZyeC64KHDHA&feat=directlink
RE: trailer for dory
Bob,
I usually can't take my eyes off of other people's dories, but in this case they were riveted on your road bike. Is that one of the original Dave Moulton frames from the 1980's? In any case, it's a beauty -- both a joy to own and a joy to ride!
Congrats on your boat and your bike.
Jeff
RE: trailer for dory
» Submitted by wing15601 - Thu, 1/15/15 » 4:23 PM
I know some may hold their nose at this, but I bought a Harbor Freight boat trailer. It comes in a flat box and will take you about an hour or so to assemble it. It is short on "keel" rollers and since I don't have a keel on my Skerry I went to a boat supply and bought two more bunk brackets and replaced the three footers that came with the trailer with eight foot pressure treated 2x4's and covered them with trailer bunk carpet. I have the bunks adjusted so the bottom of the boat sits on the bunks and I secure the boat to the trailer with straps and a line from the bow eye to the winch stand. No need for a winch. Some people have replaced the tires that come with the trailer to the 12 inch size wheel from the original 8 inch. I think the cost including delivery was less than $400. Just google harbor freight boat trailer. it's nowhere near the quality of the Trailex but it will get you to the water.