Need input on trailer design and what you would want from a transporter

[BoatTransporter]

Greetings everyone. Your input would be greatly appreciated as I am not well experienced with sailboats and am customizing a trailer for commercial transport specializing in sailboats.

I have a hydraulic trailer which will lift boats while in cradles but I am going to modify it to handle those not in cradles as well. The trailer will be behind a semi which has 30' of capacity on it as well (limited to about 10' high loads).

My questions relate to the weight distribution of sailboats ranging from say 30' to 45' LOA. I know it varies according to design, model, etc. but can you guys please give me your thoughts on where the horizontal center of gravity and/or sling points are on boats you are familar with.

I actually have a computer program which will let me determine various load factors on trailer axles and the hitch using different loads, but I do not know enough to make reasonable inputs concerning the weight distributions.

Also, please give me any other input you feel would be helpful. What would you like to see from a transporter? Certain equipment, real-time gps tracking, photos and/or videos while underway, shrink wrapping, mast storage, how do you prefer the keel supported and what about pads which contact your hull, etc...? What problems have you seen before?

Prior to getting underway I plan on taking sailing lessons (multiple courses). My wife and I want to do this anyway as we dream of retiring at sea on a sailboat...just have two teenagers to put through college first!

Sorry for being so long winded, but I have put a lot of thought and work into this venture and want it to be done right.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[tommays]

The issue is height

The usefull trailer from my POV has a split rear that allows it to pick up boat without a travel lift.

This seems to workout on local moves as a lot of folks around here move boats home in the winter i am not sold on moving a boat cross country like this








The guy i know is very good and its a rough life as theres no work or to much

[BoatTransporter]

Thanks for the reply and the photos.

I should have mentioned that the trailer is an open frame design and is constructed of heavy steel tube (6" x 12" x 3/8"). It is designed for cross country and does not support the boat using the hydraulics for long haul (I just have a fear of a cylinder/hose/fitting failing). Keel support is about 10" above ground when transporting.

[GaryHLucas]

It'd be interesting to see some pictures of your trailer

Gary H. Lucas

[Faster]

If you'll only be able to handle loads 10' tall that could be a big issue.. most boats 28-30 feet and up will be all of that between bottom of keel and top of cabin, with pulpits/wheels/lifelines adding to that height.

I'd have thought your height limitation would be bridge and overpass clearances rather than trailer-based.

[BoatTransporter]

The 10 foot limit I mentioned is for a smaller boat loaded on the truck. The trailer will allow the keel to be about 10" above the ground.

[tommays]

4'5" draft does not seem to be and issue the white boat is 7' and we gotta be really careful and take off the bow pulpit

Another big thing is he has a crazy hydraulic hitch on the truck that helps it get over speed bump stuff when its in LOW BOY mode