Trailer question

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Trailer question

Postby SMHolmans on Fri Mar 24, 2023 9:57 am

Hi everyone!
I am about to order my trailer and I am wondering what builders do with the bobstay while towing the boat.
Do you disconnect the bobstay? Or do you configure the winch post and snubber so that the bobstay can be left attached?
And are there advantages / disadvantages to either tactic?
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks from the UK.
SMHolmans
 
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:38 am
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Re: Trailer question

Postby [email protected] on Fri Mar 24, 2023 11:33 am

My bobstay is set up as described in the manual, and I disconnect it when trailering.
It is not a good idea for the trailer's bumper to be below the bow eye, because the bow would be free to rise
up and forward while trailering, for example if you had to stop suddenly.

If I were building a Pocketship again, I might consider adding two eyes, one for the trailer and
another a few inches above it for the bobstay.

Another possibility would be to modify the trailer winch setup so that the strap passes over the rubber bumper,
but is preventing from rising any higher by some sort of fitting mounted just ahead of the bumper.

Doug
[email protected]
 
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Location: Princeton, NJ

Re: Trailer question

Postby SMHolmans on Fri Mar 24, 2023 1:07 pm

Thanks Doug. That's really helpful.
SMHolmans
 
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:38 am
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Re: Trailer question

Postby slash2 on Fri Mar 24, 2023 3:08 pm

I’ve been contemplating this same question as I recently picked up my trailer (I’m converting a Precision 16 trailer) and am looking at what changes to make. That’s a good point about a low bumper; hadn’t thought of that.

I was wondering if one could have a split bumper so that the bobstay could just pass between the two sides? Or perhaps a hinged bumper that could be swung into place after the bob stay passes through?

I am thinking of placing my winch lower for a more direct pull on the bow eye.
Steve Sawtelle
slash2
 
Posts: 153
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Re: Trailer question

Postby SMHolmans on Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:03 pm

At risk of seeming uninformed, what exactly do we mean by the 'bumper'? I'm getting confused ...
SMHolmans
 
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:38 am
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Re: Trailer question

Postby JonLee on Fri Mar 24, 2023 9:15 pm

I also disconnect my bobstay. It's modestly annoying, since it means I can't tension the jib sheet until I've launched, but not bad enough that I've ever been motivated to try something else.

I forget who it was, but someone ended up dropping his winch really low so the bobstay could stay rigged. I spent some time looking at my trailer, pondering that possibility, but it just didn't seem right.
JonLee
 
Posts: 195
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:02 am

Re: Trailer question

Postby [email protected] on Sat Mar 25, 2023 4:58 am

SMHolmans wrote:At risk of seeming uninformed, what exactly do we mean by the 'bumper'? I'm getting confused ...


I mean the rubber spool thing that contacts the bow of the boat just above the eye, when you winch the boat all the way forward.

Doug
[email protected]
 
Posts: 183
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2020 2:47 pm
Location: Princeton, NJ

Re: Trailer question

Postby SMHolmans on Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:36 am

Thanks Jon, Doug. I see the problem now. I think I'm going to leave the winch post as designed and disconnect the bobstay when trailering. It seems better that way.
Steve
SMHolmans
 
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:38 am
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Re: Trailer question

Postby afairaizl on Sat Mar 25, 2023 8:21 pm

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

Drew - Hampton, NH, USA
PocketShip 'Dreams Won't Wait'
Build Started: Oct 2021
Boat Launched: May 5th, 2023
Build Blog - https://www.dreamswontwait.com
Photo dump = https://photos.app.goo.gl/dS2tViRpgq4YZH8o6
afairaizl
 
Posts: 69
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2021 12:26 pm
Location: Coastal New England

Re: Trailer question

Postby SMHolmans on Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:07 pm

Thanks Drew. I assume that your winch post is fully adjustable?
SMHolmans
 
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:38 am
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

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