Trailering a Hydrostream

[LSaupe]

I am just finishing a Viking project and am looking at new trailers (the old one is shot and not rated for the boat).

The current trailer has two main bunks plus three rollers supporting the keel/pad.

My question is, does it make sense (or is it even required) to support the keel/pad of these boats? It seems to me that these padded hulls are quite strong in the keel area and maybe not as robust in the cored sections (just a novice look at things though).

Most of the new trailers I have looked at have bunks only (no keel rollers). Trailer dealers don't even recommend putting any stress on the keel and dont advise to add keel rollers (i.e. bunks only - one per side).

Any takers --- What is the best way to transport this type of hull?

BTW - I live neat Great Sacandaga Lake so hope to hook up with some of you during the next Rondack Romp! Heard about the one last month after the fact unfortunately.

Larry S.

Galway, NY

[hsbob]

i'm a firm believer in spreading the load. my sons xt voyager has the 2 bunk no center rollers while my HS voyager has the center roller system. i prefer the rollers but put 75 to 80 of the weight on the bunks. i have also set a roler under the pad at the rear end to help carry the engine weight along with a trailer mounted engine support. as long as you spread the load out on good bunks you should be ok. the problem is putting too much weight on rollers. the resin under load for long period of time have what called plastic creap. leave a boat on roller for an extended period of time and the roller will leave a resess in the boat.

[Trikki1010]

My question is, does it make sense (or is it even required) to support the keel/pad of these boats? It seems to me that these padded hulls are quite strong in the keel area and maybe not as robust in the cored sections (just a novice look at things though).

BTW - I live neat Great Sacandaga Lake so hope to hook up with some of you during the next Rondack Romp! Heard about the one last month after the fact unfortunately.

Larry S.

Welcome Larry,

Miss the ROMP next time and we'll all show up on your doorstep or fire up every engine in front of your home at 4 am :eek: :p :D

Most people stay away from the rollers because of the potential for damage to the bottom of the boat as stated above.;)

Mine has NEVER seen a roller and never will :cool:

BUT, we all got our .02

[vector mike]

Most people stay away from the rollers because of the potential for damage to the bottom of the boat as stated above.;)

Mine has NEVER seen a roller and never will :cool:

BUT, we all got our .02

Same here. I have rollers in the middle of my trailer only to guide it onto the bunks. Once on the bunks they don't touch. Be sure the bunks continue out past the transom.

[LSaupe]

Thanks for the replies! Exactly the type of info I was after.

[Rickracer]

I plan to refurbish my Vector trailer, probably next summer, and it will have 4 bunks. It won't look anything like it does now. :cool:

[stokernick]

four bunks might be overkill,but a straight bottom is great!No to rollers!

[200VEGAS]

no rollers thank you

[Scream And Fly]

Hi Larry, welcome to Scream And Fly!

I would never use rollers to support the hull. My opinion on the best solution is four bunks - two 2x6 on the large lifting strakes and two 2x4 on the inside, beside the pad. No chance of the boat moving from side to side and it's completely supported. No overhang either.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5516/bunks3ir.jpg

[Rickracer]

...'specially when a boat is destined to spend it's entire life on a trailer. Just ribbin a little Greg, in fact, that is precisely what I was talking about. Most all of our boats spend at least 90% of their lives on the trailer, and some travel extensively that way, so the more support the better. :cool:

[stokernick]

yah,what they said.Since you're new to the site a small bit of information:Greg[Scream&Fly] has the most perfect Hydrostream that has NEVER been used.Everything about it is better than first class!!!!!

[Riverman]

I think it's a good idea to have a couple of keel rollers located at the trailer's main ccrossmembers. They could be mounted to clear the keel once the boat is all the way up on the trailer. This way if you load the boat at an oddly sloped ramp or put the trailer in too far or not far enough you will hit the roller with the keel and not the crossmember. I modded my cruiser trailer this way and it really helped loading and unloading.

I modded my Viper trailer from roller to bunk, it looks just like Greg's now. There is no need to make both sets of bunks adjustable though, only the outer ones. Saves some fabrication work.

[LSaupe]

Thanks for all the replies here. Any feedback on trailer brand? I am planning on going new (or nice used). Most of the dealers here carry Karavan, Loat Rite and Venture. Also, anyone have a good feel on any particular specs to look at (i.e. best width between fenders etc). These things seem quite generic but dont want to end up doing to many after mods if I can avoid it.

[Rickracer]

I would want the center bunks just slightly above the crosmember, and most trailers I've seen Vectors on are too narrow, in my opinion. I'll be widening the axle and the frame on mine so there will be a wider space between the fenders, and possibly V-ing the crosmembers, so the hull can sit lower. Several reasons for this, lower center of gravity for better handling and a little less wind resistance, also less suceptible to side winds pushing it around, makes loading up and unloading easier because you don't have to back the trailer so far into the water, it's easier to load and unload gear, coolers, etc. out of it. My factory Glastron aluminum trailer had all these features, and it was a dream to tow, and to load/unload. The two center bunks actually bolted to the crossmembers with plastic wedges to set the angle. A blind man could load it. JMHO, :cool:

[DoktorC]

If you want a custom fit trailer buy an Eagle..they already have the V-king fit and they'll paint it to match your boat. If you want an adjustable trailer buy a Shoreland'r. They have many variations of widths and length in the same weight capacity so you can get one taylored to your boat. Both of these are at the upper end of the price scale but they are also high quality...if you're looking cheaper check out the Karavans..nice, but not a Shoreland'r :).

[laster]

Thanks for all the replies here. Any feedback on trailer brand? I am planning on going new (or nice used). Most of the dealers here carry Karavan, Loat Rite and Venture. Also, anyone have a good feel on any particular specs to look at (i.e. best width between fenders etc). These things seem quite generic but dont want to end up doing to many after mods if I can avoid it.

You might want to look up Performance Trailers. They are on Lockhart Mountain Road in Lake George, NY, not far from you. Custom trailers any way you like them. 518-668-3103.

[hydroholic]

Mine was built to match the rear contours of the boat and looks great!