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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

tongue extension

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tidesailer
1st Mate

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USA
53 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/03/2007 : 20:46:36

Does any one know where I can find plans for a tongue extension for my c25 fin keel trailer. Whay material to use ? how long is a common extension? thank you...Don

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4301 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2007 : 21:12:52

Here's one for sale on craigslist.com. If it's too far to ship maybe you could contact the seller and ask for dimensions.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/boa/410943532.html

GaryB

Edited by - GaryB on 09/03/2007 21:13:46

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2007 : 17:47:29

I have a really crappy tongue extension. It is a very sturdy steel 8' 4X4 steel tongue that slides into a steel sleeve. It is welded onto the frame of my trailer. The problem is that the steel tongue is slighty bent. Which is generally what happens when you try to tow a 6,000LB boat up an incline - something has to bend. The point being: I can't get the tongue to go back into the sleeve.
A steel tongue extension should be made of galvanized steel, and it should be retractable in a manner that allows for a bent piece of steel to be retracted or stowed.
My suggestion would be to rig for rope launch. You can buy a trailer tongue wheel kit for under $200 and install it yourself.
I've seen lots of launches and IMHO, rope launching is a clear preference.

Edited by - on

Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2007 : 19:02:32

My extension has a ball about 3 ft from the end and a clamp at the end that goes over the tongue 3 ft back. (the extension fits under the tongue and has a regular coupler on the other end) It is about 15 ft of extension. It works great, most of the people at my club use a rope launch, I have witness 3 trailers go into the lake this year alone (the last was yesterday, with really good front wheel, he was still dragging the area with a grappling hook when I left the club last night....)I think the rope launches are fine, but I would add a second safety line.... just in case...

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2007 : 15:52:53

Jeff - do you have a picture of your tongue extension. I have a pal who is a welder, and I would like to be able to show him some options so he can fix my tongue extension.

I told him to cut this one off - as it is more trouble than help.

Also, are you saying that 3 trailers were lost off your ramp?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2007 : 20:56:00

I can PM you some photos of mine. 3x4 steel tubing, 10' long. Only flat bar and pipe segments are needed to form the 'guides'. No welding required, only a few 1/2" holes to drill.

Note: Just fixed my email address in the profile... I had changed internet providers and forgot all about it.

Edited by - ClamBeach on 09/06/2007 21:23:16

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2007 : 07:06:52

Mike, our trailer tongue extension sounds similar 4" square tube, about 15' long, secured in two box shaped short tubes welded under the primary tongue beam. Same problem, it bends! And that is even after we had it replaced with a stronger beam (thicker walls)

It would seem the short square tubes holding the tongue are toooo close a fit as the bend is minimal, just enough to make it impossible to manually shift the extension back after use.

We now routinely use the truck to move it back: We chock all 4 wheels on the trailer, leave the extension tongue attached to the truck, remove the securing pin from the short tube, and then back the truck up. That allows us to push the tube back enough that we can switch over to the road tongue.

By the time we get home, the extension has regained it's shape and we can slide it back and forth easily by hand!

Paul.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2007 : 07:32:00

I use a 3 inch tow strap that is 30 feet long. For the seaplane ramp here in the Pac NW, I use 2 straps .

Simple and effective.

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Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2007 : 11:06:37

Yes, three trailers got away, two recovered, one MIA. I will try to get some pics today, sorry for the delay, I have been at the lake a bunch.... Jeff

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2007 : 23:28:38

Have seen even with an extension the trailer comes off the ball. A long extension has to be watched so that when first starting down and over the slope the extension doesn't grind on the ramp and push off the ball. I have a chain for my extension too and easy starts and braking with an extension which prevents bending. A fixed keel which might need over 5 feet of water is a difficult launch and retrieve with an extension.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.