Trailer question

[Tom G]

bow chock side view resized.jpg (85.95 KiB) Viewed 738 times

I have a modified Easy-loader trailer that I adapted to fit my Pocketship. I like leaving bob-stay attached as I have really worked at making it quick and easy to launch for a day sail. My original solution was to just have the winch and rolled real low and that worked ok. My trailer had a 4 inch wide roller style bow stop.
I purchase a 3 inch wide "V" type stop and cut it in half with a hack saw. attached with two carriage bolts from inside to out and added some carpet. I was then able to raise up the winch so it has a more direst pull on boat. Works great.
I think it is ok to have winch fairly low as long as you have boat well secured with transom tie-downs and a safety chain on the bow eye in case winch strap fails. Also, with the keel on a carpeted trough I find it is next to impossible to move boat forward with the winch so I think risk of moving around is minimal. Tom PS Tortuga

[afairaizl]

Steve, the cross piece which holds the hourglass bumper can move up/down and back and forth in the slot that runs along the middle of the bracket there. The main post can either mount vertical or at the default angle and that can move back and forth as well. It just depends where you place the bolts in the channels. If you don't snug everything up you can do quite a bit of adjustment. that's what allowed me to get it mounted so it sat just below the bow eye.

[Bflat]

P1060550.jpeg (162.41 KiB) Viewed 714 times

I consider it pretty important to be able to leave the bobstay attached. Forget to attach it even once and a broken bowsprit, fallen mast, and other related damage and injury would seem to be a sure result. It would be a bad day.

After all, "The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance."

Bob

[Jray]

I adjusted my bumper and winch lower as well and keep the bobstay attached. Given the angles and weight, I think there is zero chance of the whole boat lurching forward in a stop. I really like leaving the bobstay attached all the time.

[doug@dougbraun.com]

Here is how I achieved it with mine https://photos.app.goo.gl/2aZ6yMMKAkGsv8z9A

With that setup, I think you need something to prevent the bow from riding up and forward. Perhaps some
sort of short strap that loops through the bow eye and the part of the trailer that holds the rubber bumper
(or instead does down to the main part of the trailer).

Since the extra strap could be installed and removed while the trailer is on level dry ground, it's still
less hassle than dealing with the bobstay when the trailer and/or boat are already in the water.

[afairaizl]

Doug, correct - like this. Ignore the red bungee holding the tarp over the boat while it's raining this week. The bow does not move one bit on the trailer. I can stand on the rudder wings and lift the entire front of the boat and trailer off the ground.

From top to bottom hooked onto that bow eye:
Bobstay
trailer hook
bow tie down strap

Included the original side view pic here since I wasn't at a computer when I linked it originally

[doug@dougbraun.com]

Doug, correct - like this. Ignore the red bungee holding the tarp over the boat while it's raining this week.

From top to bottom hooked onto that bow eye:
Bobstay
trailer hook
bow tie down strap

Thanks for the photo! I am inspired to set up my trailer the same way, since I am
tired of having to mess with the bobstay all the time. My bobstay is about 1/8" too short,
and I need a helper to push down on the end of the bowsprit to give me enough slack to fasten
it in place.


Doug

[afairaizl]

Glad the pic helped. The strap is a 1" x 36" and I measured with cord first and hoped it would work - BoatBuckle Pro Series Bow Tie-Down with Loop End

[Brent65]

I plan to rig mine the same way Drew rigged his. I can always run 2 front tie downs if I'm nervous about the boat riding up over the front bumper. I don't like the idea of re-rigging the bobstay each time I launch. If I forget, I could loose the entire rig. Just my 2 cents...

[Bflat]

P1080068.jpeg (156.49 KiB) Viewed 645 times

I run a heavy chain from the bow eye to a big eye bolt. Hopefully the chain would stop the boat from riding up over the roller in a fast stop or accident. The eye bolt goes through the aluminum trailer cross member which is under the wooden deck. NOTE: With this arrangement I can leave the bobstay in place, however at the time of these photos I'd removed the bowsprit for winter storage.
Bob]P1080068.jpeg[/attachment]