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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Roller vs. Bunk

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roktabija@yahoo.com
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/04/2006 : 19:29:38

I'm gathering info to get a new trailer made for my swing keel. I gave away my old rusted EZLoader roller a long time ago and really only used it once after I bought the boat to get it in the water, so I don't have enough experience with it to know if it was a good trailer or not.

I called the Catalina factory and they recommended Trail-Rite trailers here on the West Coast. I called Trail-rite and their C25 swing keel trailer is a roller for about $8000. Ouch!

Looking for advice from someone that has had experience with both roller and bunk type trailers and which design they like better. Also any recommendations on a West Coast manufacturer?

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2006 : 23:21:05

I have had the roller trailer which came with the 79 and did increase the sizes of bolts where I could and added plates at stress areas. It's an EZ loader bolted trailer with a lot of alminum. After the first trip to the San Juans and the rough roads asked questions and found it to be a storage trailer. When the brakes were replaced they were from a Ford Falcon and the weight rating was close and the boat has gained weight each year since. But I have not had any failures with the trailer and I can launch and retrieve in 30 inches of water or when the rear fender top is in the water. I don't use an extension and the rear tires of the truck never get in the water. I have launched by myself, the trailer winch has a brake, but with help it's easier and safer. In the early years friends did send newsphotos of sailboats setting on top of the tow vehicle after a panic stop so I use a chain hold down at the bow and strap the boat to the trailer, 2 forward and 2 aft. At first I worried that each roller would push a dent into the hull but I can pull each roller away from the hull and dent never showed.

I do launch a fixed keel Cat 25 with a bunk trailer and it is quite an operation. The Forum thread has the detail on some really good ideas for preparing the trailer for a launch. I and help from others unhook the loaded trailer at the waters edge, secured with blocks, and use a long line to the truck to pull up the slack and let the trailer into the water using a wheel attached to the trailer tongue. This bunk trail- Rite trailer has very good axles and 10 ply tires.

You should go and spend some time at a ramp watching and listening to the launches and retrieving. Latitude 38 is a good source for finding a used trailer at much less than your quoted price. Ask yourself where you will sail and store the boat and if you are going to travel to other places with trailering. Good hunting.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2006 : 06:56:10

There are three types of trailers, don't forget pads, (3 per side). If you will use a hoist as we do then pads are great, cheap and effective and they do not get in the way of the straps. I have had a trail right roller and a Sailrite pad, For me I like the pads better but if I were ramp launching I am sure I would want the rollers. The TrailRite trailer used 64 pads, EasyLoaders uses about half that number if that. I replaced all of the rollers on mine and TrailRite wanted $11.50 each for them! I found acceptable replacements at easternmarine.com for $4.50 each but it was still a lot of money. If I were ramp launching and keep costs down I would probably go with bunks and a big winch!. Good luck.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2006 : 16:04:09

I have a Trail Rite roller type for my 81 SK. I like it, I've had no trailer related difficulties in launching or retrieving.
I've taken my boat off the trailer twice, using a sling hoist. The rollers did not get in the way.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2006 : 22:53:54

I use wooden blocks, 6 x 6 x 12", with a hole for a line for safety. Behind the rear axle the two blocks are tied together so that someone can pull both aside. A single block for the pickup I tie to the pickup bumper so that as I pull forward it comes too. Just ideas to make launching and retriving any trailer safer. Has anyone launched their pulling vehicle and made the six o'clock news?

Edited by - on

roktabija@yahoo.com
Deckhand

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20 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 02:06:48

Thanks for the responses. I will be ramp launching here locally. Did you guys pay anywhere near the $8000 I was quoted for the TrailRite roller? Seems pretty high and I am just wondering if that's normal for roller type trailers. I have gotten a few estimates for bunk type at around $4500-$5000.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 06:02:37

I talked to TrailRite three years ago and felt they did not want the job, they are an OEM and manufacture stock trailers off an assembly line, I think making a trailer for a 25 would be a custom job for them and not what they want to do. Don't be afraid to buy a used powerboat trailer and have it converted. This is a converted powerboat trailer, I recently sold it for 4k and made a tidy profit at that price.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 09:45:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 ...For me I like the pads better...The TrailRite trailer used 64 pads, EasyLoaders uses about half that number...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frank...Are you sure you didn't "pad" those numbers (64)?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 11:43:28

opps, that was 64 rollers and easyloader about half that.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 12:09:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 opps, that was 64 rollers and easyloader about half that.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My EZ-Loader has 64 rollers ... not 32.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 12:53:09

Actually I was being nice, the only EZLoaders I have seen only have 16 rollers four of these.

the TrailRite has 16 where the easyloader has 4. Of course yours could be different than the ones I have seen at our boat yard. I think a lot of it depends on whether or not the boat is a fin where the weight rests on the keel and the rollers only keep it straight verses a swing where the entire weight is carried by the rollers for a part of the time. The Easy Loaders I have seen have been on shoal keel S2s.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 09/06/2006 13:00:50

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 13:14:31

Here is my EZ-Loader ... four banks of 16 rollers each:

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2006 : 14:44:13

Looks like there must be a formula they used for our boats. Freya's gold stripes sure are pretty. I was very happy with the rollers but since we use a sling I am also happy with the pads on the new boat.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.