Opinions on trailering bilge keel mirage please

O

orrinoconnor

New Member
Joined
27 Aug 2011
Messages
8
Visit site
Would it OK to put a bilge keel mirage 27 on a flat bed trailer and trailer it about 300 miles without any additional support provided to the hull?
 
Don't know the Mirage, but we did pretty much exactly that with our boat when we bought her. A big flatbed with a HIAB to lift her on board. Just ratchet-strapped in place, with the masts etc laid on the bed between the keels.

Pete
 
yes a twin keeler should sit happily on its keels. Lash it well so that it cannot move or tlit esp when you brake or corner.
 
Thanks Pete, The Mirage 27 is very much the same as the Leisure 27 Identical apart form the inside.
I don't have a purpose built trailer and was thinking of doing what you did and just lifting her on and strapping down into place.
 
Ours was a flatbed lorry rather than a trailer, so you'll need to find the right position fore-and-aft to give the right nose weight which we didn't need to worry about. But sounds doable.

Pete
 
As lakesailor says a support under the bow to stop it tipping forward when you brake would be advisable.
My boat sits on its keels but I also have a support under the bow and lash the bow down firmly on to this support.

Last time I towed my boat home it moved backwards a little early on in the journey. Then it was not firmly held on the bow support.

Then I went round a roundabout a bit too quickly and it slewed. :eek:

Made sure neither of those things could happen on the return journey .
 
Last edited:
Has to be well strapped down to prevent tipping, jumping and movement forward and back. Seek pro advice first to check strap loading/type to use and how the boys strap it down, it's pretty tight! Check straps after 10 min on road and at regualr intervals thereafter...
 
orrinoconnor said:
Would it OK to put a bilge keel mirage 27 on a flat bed trailer and trailer it about 300 miles without any additional support provided to the hull?
Click to expand...

Use blocks of wood cut to length to stop sliding on the bed.
I would put a support under the bow too in case of an unscheduled, rapid stop.
Daylight only as you'll be limited to about 40 mph before it gets dicey, unless you're towing with a 7.5 tonner. Even then make the back of the boat high vis as lorries catch up fast.
There is a boat in my shed at the moment that slid down the M5 after being tail ended by a lorry.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Displacement quoted variously 2199Kg to 2722Kg. Allowing 500Kg for the trailer, you need more than a large 4 x 4 to tow it. Probably a 7.5 tonner. More info here.
Click to expand...
Is the OP talking about a flatbed artic trailer or a close-coupled plant trailer?

Nearly 3 ton boat sounds like a job for boat-transporter to me.
 
You can do it with a Land Rover - proper one I mean, :rolleyes: if you have a 1000kg trailer and 2500KG boat all in ;)

IMG_2225.jpg


Pro boat transporter...
 
Last edited:
Didn't know a landrover was that heavy. AFAIK tow-er needs to be heavier than toe-ee. So although although a 4x4 has the power and grip,it doesn't have the weight.
 
You are entering a world of facts sullied by rules-of-thumb.
Most Defenders can tow 3500kgs.

It's all to do with the manufacturers ratings.

This from a site giving kerbweights of vehicles
85% (or even 100%) rules are not "rules" but guidelines which have no substance in law. They are designed to ensure that the outfit will be stable (all other factors being equal). Exceeding this figure, whilst not illegal in itself, COULD lead to prosecution if the driver was stopped because of (say) instability or after an accident as there is a requirement on the driver to ensure the safety of his vehicle in the Construction and Use Regulations.
Usually a manufacturer will quote a tow weight which is far greater than the mass of the vehicle. Generally this is based on the total train weight (car + caravan) which can be started on a 12% gradient.
Where this weight (or any other e.g. nose weight) is given as lower by the manufacturer the user ignores it at his peril. Insurance could well be void after an accident - worse, the illegal combination could cause the accident if the towing vehicle is unable to handle it.
The big problem we have in the UK is the traffic density, especially on Motorways, which has caravans in close proximity to both cars and large goods vehicles, all travelling at speed. The vortices encountered can cause trailers to wander if not loaded correctly and matched to the towing vehicle.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
"Land Rover" ,,,, Oh Yes, Land Rover, I did always want one of those.
Unfortunately I can barely afford the boat.
I think I may have to re think the boat and go for something less commodious like an Achilles 24 and pull it with the Saab. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Sea Change
Mini sandblaster for rust spots on keel?
2 3 4
Replies
63
Views
2K
Mister E
M
Refueler
Bow winch eye ...
2
Replies
20
Views
423
Refueler
Refueler

Share this page

Top