Madhatter
Well-Known Member
What difference does it make if you put your boat on a trailer stern first (besides the aerodynamics of the" blunt end " )?
Derrick
Derrick
A quickie ---->
- Thread starter Madhatter
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sarabande
Well-Known Member
assuming that you reverse the rig into the water, the trailer will - in general - need to go a lot further into the 'oggin before the boats floats off. T'other way round, the blunt end lifts off quicker.
Loading on to the trailer stern first from the water could also present similar problems.
There's also the centre of gravity of the boat to consider; this should be forward of the axle, just enough to give you the proper downforce on the ball hitch.
Loading on to the trailer stern first from the water could also present similar problems.
There's also the centre of gravity of the boat to consider; this should be forward of the axle, just enough to give you the proper downforce on the ball hitch.
Searush
Well-Known Member
The Westerly 25 is designed to be towed "backwards".
The keel configuration keeps the weight forward of the axle & the nose weight was perfect if the boat was in the right place (because of adjustment allowances, it could be too far forward or too far back). There is no over hang at the front but the bow is high in the air & the rear overhang is well above most vehicles allowing good manouverability in tight spaces.
The trailer is quite short too for strorage when not in use.
The keel configuration keeps the weight forward of the axle & the nose weight was perfect if the boat was in the right place (because of adjustment allowances, it could be too far forward or too far back). There is no over hang at the front but the bow is high in the air & the rear overhang is well above most vehicles allowing good manouverability in tight spaces.
The trailer is quite short too for strorage when not in use.
TQA
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I know it is counter intuitive but the aerodynamics should be better.
geoid96
Well-Known Member
It's easier to hang the lights & number plate on the transom than on the bow.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
The main advantage, I believe, is usually a cheaper trailer, as it's shorter and uses less material (especially for a bilge keeler?). Hence a lot of budget trailers and boat packages (e.g Leisure 17) would often have the boat mounted 'backwards'.
Others have mentioned some of the related advantages and disadvantages of stowage and manouevring the boat onto the trailer. I would imagine any advantage or disadvantage for towing aerodynamics would be negligible unless you were planning to tow across the continent at illegal speeds, or commute with the trailer on!
Others have mentioned some of the related advantages and disadvantages of stowage and manouevring the boat onto the trailer. I would imagine any advantage or disadvantage for towing aerodynamics would be negligible unless you were planning to tow across the continent at illegal speeds, or commute with the trailer on!
fergie_mac66
Well-Known Member
The Westerly 25 is designed to be towed "backwards".
The keel configuration keeps the weight forward of the axle & the nose weight was perfect if the boat was in the right place (because of adjustment allowances, it could be too far forward or too far back). There is no over hang at the front but the bow is high in the air & the rear overhang is well above most vehicles allowing good manouverability in tight spaces.
The trailer is quite short too for strorage when not in use.
I have a trailor for my westerly same as that only used it once so far though trails very easy backwards and its very easy to store
Searush
Well-Known Member
The number plate & lights are a permanent fitment to the trailer axle. But one needs to be aware of the legal situation for overhangs.
fergie_mac66
Well-Known Member
mine for the westerly is on a pullout thing that pulls under the bow So the over hang disappears its strong enough for the nmerplat and lights but wont take any weight
Davy_S
Well-Known Member
We used to always recover our cobble style boat stern first, the trailer was flat bed, and incorperated rollers, prop was protected between the keels. It was far easier to launch and recover into surf this way, plus the trailer was cheaper to make. Lighting board was no probs as it bolted onto the end of the trailer, no problems guiding the boat onto the trailer, side rollers made it a single handed affair, plus breakback trailer makes life easy.
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
I don't see how the trailer will be shorter if the boat is mounted stern-first.
My Foxcub was bow-first. Assume the GoG is ahead of the axle and you will see that reversing the boat will require a longer drawbar as there is more boat behind the CoG than in front.
The same with my Seahawk
My Foxcub was bow-first. Assume the GoG is ahead of the axle and you will see that reversing the boat will require a longer drawbar as there is more boat behind the CoG than in front.
The same with my Seahawk
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LittleSister
Well-Known Member
Yes, I see what you mean. I was just passing on what I was told by a trailer builder when I was looking for a trailer for a small bilge keeler with a substantial skeg. Perhaps it depends on the keel configuration.
Searush
Well-Known Member
I don't see how the trailer will be shorter if the boat is mounted stern-first.
(snip)
[snip]
For that boat (& its mate) you are correct. Now have another look at the W25. It has a long skeg with the rudder mounted to it. The boat is supported by cast shoe from the skeg & supporting the forward end of the bottom of the rudder. The trailer would need to extend to the stern of the boat to stop it tipping backwards.
Both your boats have only a central footprint & could be mounted either way round. i would have thought the you would have seen that given your photographer's eye & knowing that you have done some boat design.
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
True. If the boat has a skeg that needs supporting.
