Hi, We have a great galvanized trailer with bunks under BlueJacket. However, I see many of the boats have trailers with rollers rather than the flat bunks. This seems like it would be far easier to launch and retrieve the 7.9....
can any one comment? Is is feasible to change to rollers? I have a very challenging launch ramp that is not deep enough and I beleive the rollers might be a part solution.
thanks!
-tony
BlueJacket
USA 006
Seattle WA
Trailers with Rollers?
Moderators: Tim Bosma, Tom Elsen
Re: Trailers with Rollers?
we have rollers under #477 and bunks under #457
477 sits about a foot higher off the ground than 457, so the water has to be that much deeper to launch her.
477 can be easily moved back and forth on her trailer when we are doing the bottom work, we are working out a way to raise 457 up to do the bottom.
we have not taken 477 on a long (over 50 miles) journey yet, so I can't comment on any difference in distance trailering.
Thanks,
477 sits about a foot higher off the ground than 457, so the water has to be that much deeper to launch her.
477 can be easily moved back and forth on her trailer when we are doing the bottom work, we are working out a way to raise 457 up to do the bottom.
we have not taken 477 on a long (over 50 miles) journey yet, so I can't comment on any difference in distance trailering.
Thanks,
Re: Trailers with Rollers?
Tom,
Thanks for the reply. Being higher out of the water is exactly the opposite direction I need to go. Last time we launced we had to winch BlueJacket off the trailer while the rear bumper of our 4wd Grand Caravan was under water!
I know.....I need to get a different rig, unfortunately not really an option for us.....So its either sell this great boat or find an alternative since $250/mo moorage was not in the plan either!
Paul LaTour reports his roller trailer is much easier to launch than the bunk. I guess I still have some research to do.
Can your rollers be lowered?
Thanks for the reply. Being higher out of the water is exactly the opposite direction I need to go. Last time we launced we had to winch BlueJacket off the trailer while the rear bumper of our 4wd Grand Caravan was under water!
I know.....I need to get a different rig, unfortunately not really an option for us.....So its either sell this great boat or find an alternative since $250/mo moorage was not in the plan either!
Paul LaTour reports his roller trailer is much easier to launch than the bunk. I guess I still have some research to do.
Can your rollers be lowered?
Re: Trailers with Rollers?
Tony,
Have you considered a tongue extender? My 7.9 (@last-#56) has one on the trailer and it can come in handy for the situation you describe.
They could be made to any length, I believe the one that came with my trailer is about 10' long. It consists of square tubing similiar to the trailer frame dimensions (3"x3" ?) with another hitch of the same ball dimensions that sits parallel to the primary hitch. When you get to the launch area (flat) you block and then disconnect the trailer, extended and pin the "extra" hitch and reconnect/back the boat in. The extenders are not very common on the 7.9s due to the kick up rudder and raised keel, they are more typically seen on fixed keel boats like a j-22/j-24, etc. Drop me a line with your e-mail if you want a few pics, am sure any handy trailer/welding type place could fabricate one for you.
Tom
Have you considered a tongue extender? My 7.9 (@last-#56) has one on the trailer and it can come in handy for the situation you describe.
They could be made to any length, I believe the one that came with my trailer is about 10' long. It consists of square tubing similiar to the trailer frame dimensions (3"x3" ?) with another hitch of the same ball dimensions that sits parallel to the primary hitch. When you get to the launch area (flat) you block and then disconnect the trailer, extended and pin the "extra" hitch and reconnect/back the boat in. The extenders are not very common on the 7.9s due to the kick up rudder and raised keel, they are more typically seen on fixed keel boats like a j-22/j-24, etc. Drop me a line with your e-mail if you want a few pics, am sure any handy trailer/welding type place could fabricate one for you.
Tom
Re: Trailers with Rollers?
We have been studying the lowering of rollers, but have taken o action yet.
Thanks,
Thanks,