[Rhodes22-list] Trailer Sweet Spot Responses

[Jay Curry]

RumRunner: Thanks for the feedback. I thought someone else may have 
installed a trip switch for the lift. I am looking forward to seeing a 
picture. Your reasoning on the single axle trailer included some things I 
had not considered and that will help add to what I need to know to make my 
dual axle work as well as it can.  Thanks again.

Bob Keller: Thanks for the input. It was rough roads (due to road type and 
construction) over mountain passes and foothills that caused movement of the 
boat backward and forward on the trailer. I drove at least 5 MPH below the 
posted limit and never over 65. I kept it as smooth as possible and as slow 
as practical in rough conditions. On two occasions, I left items on the 
bumper and found them still there even after nearly 200 miles in one case. I 
have to cross some pretty serious mountain passes where ever I go around my 
part of the country. Movement on the trailer is something I have to learn to 
deal with.

Dennis McNeely: I have two items in mind. One is a medium sized bow support 
bunk of some kind and some sort of tie down to keep the boat from moving 
forward. The winch strap is enough to keep it from moving backward but, only 
if it is pulled tight enough against the bow stop initially that it does not 
release some its tension while being towed. This was my experience. The 
strap would "settle" some even after it was pulled up tight and let the boat 
move several inches backward. Once the boat has moved backward, you cannot 
move it forward again without damage to the bunk carpet and maybe the boat 
unless you launch it in water and retrieve it again.

It will move forward again from downhill travel and you have to stop and 
tension the strap again. The boat pulled hard enough on the strap over time 
that it caused the near failure of the strap bolt. I am hopeful a larger 
strap and more robust bolt that is more correctly sized for the winch than 
the old one, will help minimize this tensioning change. Thanks for the 
response. It was helpful and if you have a home on the lake with your own 
dock as I suspect, I am green with envy. Take care.

David Bradley: Have not connected with any 22 owners in person yet but, I am 
looking forward to it if I don't wear out my welcome on the list first. Our 
real sailing efforts will begin next season. My primary concern now is 
learning about the boat, engine, trailer, getting it properly set up for 
winter storage and the occasional 90 MPH plus gap winds that hit our home at 
the foot of the Olympic mountains every November and December.