lune whammel Trailor

[farquart]

I went to look at a lune whammel the other day and I metioned to the seller that the trailor looked a bit short for the job.

His come back was that it was specifically designed like this for ease of launching and recovery, as you only need a foot of water.

He also pointed out that there where runners on the trailor to help pososition the boat.

All said and done the trailor still looked a little short to me.

Does anyone have any experince of these boats, the trailors and anything to watch out for.

 

[ProDave]

I don't know the boat so can't comment directly.

However boat trailers come in a huge variety of designs.

What sort of boat is it? If it's a bilge keel, where the boat sits on it's twin keels on the trailer, then it's very common indeed for the tralier to be shorter than the boat. There's no point in extra metalwork where it's not needed and not doing anything.

In that case you have to hang the trailer lighting board on the back of the boat so it's at the back of the overall length when towing with the boat on, so make sure your lighting board has long enough cable.

My own boat has a lifting keel and the trailer is the same length as the boat, giving support at various points right up to the stern.

Did you see the boat on the trailer?

EDIT: Google is your friend:

I take it that is what you are referring to, the long overhang of the boat at the back.

If the boat designer is happy that the keel is strong enough to support all the weight of the boat from the centre of the keel, then I don't see a problem.

It means storage of the trailer when the boat is in the water is easier.

Nice looking boat. I expect Lakesailor will buy one soon

 

[aquaplane]

My First 18 had a long overhang at the back too:



Often short trailers like this have a telescopic trailer board mounting bracket that slides into the trailer when it's empty. The trailer board is suposed to be about 2' off the floor ± a bit so hanging it off the boat would be too high.

 

[Neil]

I have a Coastal Whammel, and the custom trailer does indeed look quite short. However, the boat has a long solid keel which sits solidly on the rear roller, so the overhand doesn't need support. The boat launches and retrieves very, very easily singlehandedly in little water. The best bit, especially from an ex mobo owner with flexi-hulls on bouncy rollers, is that it tows beautifully; no bouncing or rattling, it follows the car like a little dog on rails. Another advantage is that the boat can be left dry, and if it is supported upright, the trailer can be winched under the boat (amazing how fast the tide can drop on the slip when you go to get the car!).

However. Two things to watch out for.

Try not to be tempted to retrieve with the wheel hubs too much out of the water; without sufficient water supporting the boat at the stern, it can tip over on the trailer before it settles into the side rollers, to the detriment of the gel coat.

The Coastal version is heavier, so it's probably not an issue with the Lune Whammel, but much of the weight is supported on the rearmost roller. After a 250ml trip, my roller supports spread, sheering the split pin that holds the roller in place, and it became dislodged. Thicker split pins, together with spacer washers to prevent the start of any spread, was my answer, but I believe they now weld little fillets to the roller supports to stop them spreading.

 

[Lakesailor]

I made my launch trolley with bunks extending well back to avoid the boat falling over as I winched it up.

​

I was quite taken with the Post Boat (smaller sister of Lune Whammel). Only 14' 6" (Serendipity was 13ft) but much beamier and more roomy than Serendipity. However, although it would have meant less crouching in the boat when sailing it was:-

a) Too heavy to recover like I do in the video

b) slow as a brick

I can't imagine many grp boats sagging on a short trailer unless very scantily built and carrying a big motor on the stern.

 

[farquart]

Ok thanks everyone, appreciate your help.

 

[Red Admiral]

Having bought and sailed three Whammels when running a sailing centre I can confirm that these boats were strongly built by Bill Bailiff on the Lune and at Morecambe. You need have no fear about a Whammel breaking its back on a short trailer provided the ballast (sand in plastic sacks) is first removed. Can't vouch for the strength of the trailer. I built my own which was a bit longer.

 

[electrosys]

There is often a legal reason behind having a sliding extension at the rear of a trailer, and that's to do with the permitted overhang.

If the rear overhang is less than 1m, no specific action need be taken.

If the rear overhang is between 1m and 2m, some form of warning indicator (cloth/ flag etc) should be attached.

If the rear overhang is between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board MUST be fitted and illuminated at night.

If the rear overhang is more than 3.05m, an attendant must be carried and the police must be notified 2 days before commencing the journey.

As the rear overhang is measured from the rearmost part of the trailer - with long loads it may be necessary to extend the rearmost section of the trailer (even if that extension doesn't actually support anything) in order to comply with the law's requirements regarding overhanging loads.

 

[ProDave]

If the rear overhang is between 2m and 3.05m, a marker board MUST be fitted and illuminated at night.

Doesn't hanging the trailer lighting board on the back of the boat them make that the back of the trailer and satisfy that requirement?

 

[Lady Campanula]

I'm certainly no expert on Towing Law - like many others on here. Below is a scan of the cover of an 'expert' DVD, handed out free by Afon 'n Zomerzet's finest at a recent ag. show.

I understand they're available nationally. Why not ask your favourite rozzer for a copy? It could save a lot of angst.....


( 'Scuse the quality, but it should serve to identify the real thing. )

 

[electrosys]

Doesn't hanging the trailer lighting board on the back of the boat them make that the back of the trailer and satisfy that requirement?

You'd have thought so wouldn't you ? But 'fraid not - the trailer is the trailer, and the boat is the load - which overhangs the trailer ...

The extension doesn't even need to be 'structural' - it just needs to be a part of the trailer. Yep - I know it don't make any sense ...

 

[electrosys]

I'm certainly no expert on Towing Law - like many others on here. Below is a scan of the cover of an 'expert' DVD, handed out free by Afon 'n Zomerzet's finest at a recent ag. show.

I understand they're available nationally. Why not ask your favourite rozzer for a copy? It could save a lot of angst.....


( 'Scuse the quality, but it should serve to identify the real thing. )

The DVD's can be obtained from calling: 08457 50 40 30
or emailing: ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk

Must say - I do like Carol Smillie .... she can come and sit on my trailer and measure it's overhang any day.

 

[Lakesailor]

She can come and sit on my face.