Trailer question

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Re: Trailer question

Postby Brent65 on Sat May 13, 2023 12:23 pm

If you buy the aluminum trailer (yes expensive, but the finest trailer I've ever owned), you can adjust the wench post as seen in the photo. This did require me to cut off 6" of the aluminum wench post, but that was easily accomplished with a basic hacksaw (and sharp blade).
Now there is no need to ever disassemble the bobstay. Notice I also re-wound the strap to wrap around the underside of the wench to better align the pulling force. The boat is now being pulled almost perfectly horizontally instead of upward.
Attachments
IMG_4289.jpeg
IMG_4289.jpeg (54.17 KiB) Viewed 952 times
Brent Butikofer
Build Blog: http://www.idahopocketship.wordpress.com
Previous Builds: Scamp, Skiff America 20
Never Stop Exploring
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Brent65
 
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Re: Trailer question

Postby SMHolmans on Sat May 13, 2023 2:57 pm

I spent some time very recently discussing the winch post configuration with a leading boat trailer manufacturer here in the UK, and their recommendation (stipulation!) was that the bumper (here we call it the snubber) must meet the boat about two thirds of the way up the stem.
This is for safety and security reasons.
They say that it is dangerous to have the bumper low down on the stem because the boat could jump up and leave the trailer in the event of a collision or emergency stop.
They would not support having the bumper below the PocketShip bow eye, for that reason. And will not build such a winch post.
So, we have configured my winch post accordingly, so that the bumper is up high, and the winch is down low - in line with the bow eye. We don't want the boat trying to get into the car in the event of an accident!
The problem is that the PocketShip bow eye has two roles - to secure the bobstay, which means it must be low down on the stem, and to drag the boat onto the trailer, which is where the problem occurs - because a winch is normally high up at the top of the winch post - where it cannot usefully or safely pull PocketShip onto the trailer.
The downside to this is that the bobstay must be disconnected while in transit. I guess that is not a big issue - we will see.
My conclusion is that a custom winch post is required. Which is what I am building.
SMHolmans
 
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Re: Trailer question

Postby afairaizl on Mon May 15, 2023 4:04 pm

Brent65 wrote:If you buy the aluminum trailer (yes expensive, but the finest trailer I've ever owned), you can adjust the wench post as seen in the photo. This did require me to cut off 6" of the aluminum wench post, but that was easily accomplished with a basic hacksaw (and sharp blade).
Now there is no need to ever disassemble the bobstay. Notice I also re-wound the strap to wrap around the underside of the wench to better align the pulling force. The boat is now being pulled almost perfectly horizontally instead of upward.
Attachments
IMG_20230513_183807.jpg
IMG_20230513_183807.jpg (116.96 KiB) Viewed 953 times
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
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Re: Trailer question

Postby [email protected] on Sat Jul 01, 2023 10:54 am

Here is my new solution:

bobstay.jpg
bobstay.jpg (200.13 KiB) Viewed 821 times


bobstay2.jpg
bobstay2.jpg (196.54 KiB) Viewed 839 times


https://photos.app.goo.gl/LQ942FWGjQQAeH1J9

I installed a separate padeye a few inches above the main bow eye. Now the bobstay can be left attached all the time, and it does not interfere with the trailer winch at all.
The padeye is attached with 1/4" hardware. I had to hack away a bit of the styrofoam in the bow flotation compartment to get access to the mounting nuts.

Doug
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