Opinions on trailering bilge keel mirage please

[Tranona]

"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.

Almost any sailing cruiser once you get above about 22' ceases to be practical for trailering on a regular basis, unless it is unballasted or has removable water ballast. It is not just the actually towing but launching and retrieving as well.

 

[Zagato]

Agreed Tranona having sold my Folksong for a 22' trailer sailor which ways 1000KG and similarly the trailer (probably 2200KG all up!) the Defender will pull it no problem but launching is trickier. You have to make sure you have had your Weetabix that morning to yank it up on a hand winch, so most use an electric winch. Trouble is the leccy winch has to be so big 6000Ib + it makes the trailer nose weight too heavy for most cars so a few put them in the boot when not in use.

I am selling my Drifter and going back to a mooring for a while to give my left arm a break Lol. I do know a couple who have trailer sailed a Shrimper all over Europe which is also about 1000KG + trailer and they pull it with a 1.6cc Suzuki....

Getting the right trailer helps enormously but no design seems to be perfect!

My trailer is quite clever, it is designed so you don't have to get the wheels wet, it has a long bed which pivots in the middle allowing it to go deep enough beneath the boat. You also don't have to worry about lining the boat up as it pulls up straight once the bow goes between the wheels - clever. These sealed/water proof hubs/bearings don't seem to work and have you ever tried to wash salt off by just rinsing! So much for flushing systems!! Best to replace your bearings each year if you trail a lot.

 

[orrinoconnor]

Nice trailer Zagato !