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WK Trailer Issues, (help)

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/15/2005 : 10:03:16

I purchased the Road King trailer with my 2005 250 WK. I have found that the mast raising system on this trailer is VERY good, I can raise / lower the mast with very little help; essentialy it can be done with one person.

The other day I needed to drop the mast to replace the Windex which of course requires me to put the boat on the trailer (in order to use the mast raising system). When I originally received the boat the trailer had a set of horizontal bunks installed that ran parallel to the keel. I believe the intent of these bunks was to keep the boat keel from sliding sidways off the trailer. As my dealer launched my boat I asked the question: "Won't these bunks get in the way of the wing?". The response was that this just doesn't happen. Unfortunately it DID happen on my boat (the vertical supports for the bunks hung up on the wing) and the wing was damaged. The dealer was great about the issue and made a very long trip back in a few weeks to repair the wing. I am quite happy with him since I live in Alabama and he is over 600 miles away.

Since the damage occured I have removed the bunks; at least for launch and retrieval (I keep the boat in the water).

Here is where my problem occurs. I had the dickens of a time the other day attempting to get the boat on the trailer. I do not have 4 wheel drive and was very reluctant to place the rear wheels too deeply in the water (lots of green stuff on ramp). (I did load about 350 pounds of bricks over my truck axle though). It seemed to me that the boat floated with the keel at least 2 inches above the keel support on the trailer so I believe I was deep enough. Every time I attempted to pull the boat up the trailer the keel would slide sideways and end up either half off the support or significantly off center. I was eventually able to alternately winch the boat and pull up to a more level position to get the boat properly on the trailer. However I was not able to get the keel centered to my liking. Also I do not like the idea of sliding the keel on the support.

Does anyone have any advice on modifications to the trailer that may make it easier to align the boat? The trailer does have vertical PVC poles on the quarters to assist in loading but does not seem to help very much. I am considering some sort of 'V' bunk arrangment to help guide the keel but due to the trouble to pull the boat and the weights involved would like some advice.

By the way, for those who are wondering:

I am pulling the boat out with a 2001 F150 with a 4.2l V6 engine (rated at 6000 lbs). There is more than enough power to pull the boat out which was a major concern to me. I think the truck will do ok for the short hauls that I may need to do. It is a little underpowered and I will probably not be able to go very fast (that is a good thing eh?) Bricks help a LOT!

Don Moser

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
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185 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2005 : 18:39:57

My dealer told me to get some of that 2" clear tubing from home depot and zip tie it to the rear vertical supports for those keel bumpers. What can happen is when the boat is being launched if it does not exit straight out it can bump into one of those steel supports and damage the keel wings. i was told if you look at WK's you will see a characteristic ding on the rear edge of the wing (have not confirmed that one).

I installed the tubing and have not had any problems yet (although I am careful to pull the boat clear of the trailer before pulling it to dockside.)

Also to address your concern of rear wheels getting wet, there is an article on the tech pages about tow rope launch mod.

http://catalina25-250.org/tech/tech250/fortu.html

Kurt
#818 C250WK 'Tortuga'

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2005 : 19:09:34

Hey I have one of those dings

What a sweet idea using the clear tubing for the bunk rails. I'll do that this weekend.
I can't imagine trying to get the boat on the trailer without those bunks. They are there to assist you in lining your boat on the trailer. If it were me I would put the bunks back on. I have hung my keel on the supports before and I've had to move the boat around to free it, but I would think you stand more of a chance of damaging your rig without the bunks. I have a 25" 4 inch nylon strap and built a 5th wheel/spare tire holder to make launching easier. At no time are my truck wheels even close to the water.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 07:27:37

Hey Tom,
do you have pet Pelicans too?

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 10:00:17

Believe it or not, its not Pelican poop dripping all over my trailer

Its some product the PO use to use to clean the boat with, it dripped all over the trailer and wont wash off.

Edited by - on

moserd
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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 22:50:26

So, it sounds like I better re-attach the bunks for alignment purposes. That makes sense to me but I was very wary due to the extent of the damage to my wing. Anyone have any advice on how to adjust these items. Any pictures of what it should look like? My original bunks were 2x6's attached to two vertical bars. It looks to me from the small picture provided that yours extends inboard towards the boat with some sort of offset.

By the way, I would like to attach some pictures of the damage and my trailer set up. How do I attach pictures to this forum? Do I need to have my own web site to host this or can I download images to the forum?

Thaks to all, I love this forum, without the information here I would be lost.

Don

Edited by - on

moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 22:52:02

By the way, where can I get information about the 5th wheel? Where to get them, how much, how to mount etc. I really like the idea.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 23:20:15

Here is a link to directions on how to post pictures.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2623

You'll have to have your pictures online somewhere. You could use something like www.Shutteryfly.com to store your pictures online.

The fifth wheel I made, there are companies that sell them but they are pricey. They're not hard to make, all you need is an spindle, hub and bearin kit. You can get what you need from www.championtrailers.com (they may even have the 5th wheel set up)Then find you someone to weld up a bracket for you.

Heres a picture of how the bunks go.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 07/16/2005 23:22:17

britinusa
Web Editor

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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 23:24:59

Tom,
I just read the precautions on a well known marine suppliers 'Fast Acting! Hull Cleaner', which it claims 'Quickly Removes Waterline Scum'.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Hull Cleaner can cause damage to antifouling bottom paint, galvanized trailers, and will strip wax from waxed fiberglass surfaces.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Hmmmmmm. Maybe I won't use that after all

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2005 : 23:39:55

Found the link to the 5th wheel setup.
http://www.trailrite.com/prod05.htm

Paul,
That's most likely what the PO used to clean the hull with, strong stuff... uh

Edited by - on

moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 10:16:36

Thanks again for the very good information, here I will attempt to reference some pics to show you the damage that occured on my wing AND to allow me to try to post a few pics.

I was looking at your pics of your trailer and was not surprised to find a major difference in your bunks from mine. Yours appears to have an offset (horizontal) that places the bunks closer to the keel and keeps the vertical supports further away from the wings. My bunks do NOT have such an offset which may be part of the problem. I noted this prior to launch (and prior to my comment to the dealer, "Won't this hang on the wing?") Maybe I need to add some sort of offset. Do you have any measurements of this offset? How far from the keel do your bunks extend?

Thanks for you patience, I am obviously VERY gun shy RE this keel now and don't want a repeat of the previous experience. I would like to WAX my hull sometime some but am not likely to pull the boat again until I get this trailer issue resolved.

Edited by - moserd on 07/17/2005 10:30:55

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 12:30:23

WOW!

I can see why your concerned about putting the bunks back on. I went out back and took some more pictures of my trailer for you. I used a yard stick as a reference for you. I hope they help.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 07/17/2005 12:35:42

RSHOOTER
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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 18:12:14

Capt. Kurt...could you post a Pic of the 2" clear PVC on the Trailer? Thanks.

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moserd
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 21:02:15

Thanks for the additional pics, the measurements will be MOST helpful!

Don

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
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185 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 14:22:01

RShooter,
Here is the PVC I added to Tortuga's trailer. You can see the white tie wraps holding it in place. Its hard to see because its, well clear tubing. :P

Kurt

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RSHOOTER
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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 14:35:36

Got it...good pic. Thanks Captain.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2005 : 21:34:46

My wing keel bunk board is broad at the aft end and narrower at the fore. And it has 2x6 or 8 sides. The wing comes on the trailer and is guided by the side boards and as it is winched up it comes closer to center as the board gets narrower. I will look and see if I have any pictures archived. The trailer is thirty-five miles away at my sister-n-law's while Chick-a-pea is in her berth.

I found a not so great picture but it seems the server won't let me upload to my FTP space.

Edited by - Ben - FL on 07/19/2005 21:53:03

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