Rotting trailer? Anodes?

[Burnett]

Originally posted by Wayne Kerr
From memory I think it's found behind the rear seat backrest.
You may have to use a mirror !!!!!

I reckon you're right Wayne. I called Mike Ring today, and although he was out, his guy said that it'll be either under the dash or in the transom/splashwell area, but he'd get Mike to call me back (!)

Dude at Ring tells me that they are always on the inside of the deck moulding, but they vary between the dash and the splashwell/transom area.

Amazing. Imagine calling up a car company and having someone there promise to get the main man to call you back. See how far you'd get!

Number, for anyone who's interested is:

Ring Powercraft: 01243 554401

The one on the website is old and no longer in use.

Now all I need is to find the engine number. According to my Seloc manual, they should be engraved into the top of the block. The only number I can find is a moulded in one on the botton of the block, easily visible, with a date of manufacture indicator, but the number of *** 8631-C (First 3 numbers omitted to prevent dodginess!) doesn't seem to correspond to the numbers in the manual, which all seem to start C100*****

Found the date of manufacture though - 12/02/90

Back to square one!

[Wayne Kerr]

Roger that. I've a couple of mates who had the same question with the "Ring"
The mirror rules, or if you have Gynaecology tendancys ,,,,, twist and turn. I'd recomend the former!

[Burnett]

Damn straight! Mirror it is. I managed to wedge myself under the dash the last time and doubted whether I could get my lanky ass out again before my struggling around knocked the bastard off its shagged trailer!

[Burnett]

What do you reckon to this then?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/De-Graaff-PA13...QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like it might be a good bet for my boat.
I'm thinking that as I'm probably going to keep this boat for several years I may as well bite the bullet and put it on a decent trailer now rather than faff about with the old one.

1000kg max payload. Should be enough, although I wouldn't mind twin axle for safety in case of failure.

[gar163y]

I really hate rollers on boat trailers especially those swinging jobbies. Take the bunk option and if possible have the bottom rollers replaced with bunks as well. Bunks support the hull better keeping it straighter preventing any hook. Rollers also make for pressure points on the hull and I have seen cracks appear if the boat bounces on poor road surfaces. I've also seen too many boats roll off on slipways. I haven't had a roller on a trailer since 1988! Twin axles must also be a good idea.

[gar163y]

p.s. the large Indespension catalogue has all the legal requirements and regulations you need to know plus prices and details for all the bits and pieces you could ever want. It's amazing how quickly you become an expert on all aspects of wheel bearings and rod brakes! Don't forget to carry all the spares you might need.

[1up]

Originally posted by Burnett
What do you reckon to this then?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/De-Graaff-PA13...QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like it might be a good bet for my boat.
I'm thinking that as I'm probably going to keep this boat for several years I may as well bite the bullet and put it on a decent trailer now rather than faff about with the old one.

1000kg max payload. Should be enough, although I wouldn't mind twin axle for safety in case of failure.

I've bought a de graff trailer. Had it four years now. been a good trailer and i would buy another. The guy was really helpful and built me one exactly how I wanted. I agree with gar123 go for bunks and like your idea i went for the extra axle I know a few people who have bought these since I've had one after speaking about how helpful they were Get bearing buddies fitted aswell!! I haven't had a bearing fail since new.I pump them up with grease every time I use it. there number is 01276 855566 if you are interested.

[gar163y]

There is an official booklet from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (www.smmt.co.uk) entitled "Towing and the Law". I ordered it to confirm the regulations when towing with my camper (29'6"). It covers most legal aspects.

[Burnett]

Bunks?? Amazing. I would have thought that the rollers would be a better idea. Logically, the thought of having a big bit of carpet in contact with the hull would be a trap for water and mould, etc. never mind bits of sand that find their way in there and get ground around during launch and recovery and scrape the gelcoat. Does a bunk trailer do away with the keel rollers too then?

I see what you mean about rollers leaving pressure points and marks on the hull though. There's already a few scrapes on mine. Surely getting it on and off bunks must be a harder job than rollers?
Still, being as I've yet to launch and recover my own boat I'll learn from the wisdom of you guys and take your advice.

I would think that having four wheels would make for better stability and not be so critical as regards noseweight, etc.

[glen76]

Originally posted by gar163y
I I've also seen too many boats roll off on slipways.

thats just stupidity... you dont drive off without hooking a boat on rollers up to winch post etc!! bunks probably spread the load better but its so much more agro and ur car has to get wetter as you need to be in further unless ur one of those three men on the winch handle teams winchin onto bunks outa water!!!

[gar163y]

The last time I saw a boat "roll" onto a slipway was about 5 weeks ago. Inboard powered bowrider proved to be too heavy to winch back on the trailer at the angle it found itself. The thud of the transom hitting the concrete and then scraping along for a yard or two was really quite loud. One thing about bunks is you need your own lifting strops. Carpeted bunks catch the boat as you drive onto the trailer without the risk of a roller or metalwork going into the side. This is especially handy when it's rough, the waters deep and you need to get it on the trailer in a hurry. As for going in further, I usually just sit in the drivers seat until I start the engine and reverse off! It even seemed to work when I had two engines and the boat was really heavy with 60 gallons of fuel.

[Wayne Kerr]

There realy is no need to get the car wet, if your using a slipway just attach a length of rope between car & trailor!

[Burnett]

That's what I was thinking. I plan to attach about twenty feet of chain between the car and the trailer. My ancient old Merc wouldn't take too kindly to seawater!

I'm hoping it'll be okay to pull something the size of my boat. If it craps out on me I'll buy and old Volvo estate for a few hundred quid and use that.

My car's an old 1991 3 litre E class Mercedes. Everyone's told me it's plenty up to the job, but it's all an unknown quantity to me. Time will tell I guess. I wonder if my RAC cover provides for getting the boat back to a separate destination to the car if it dies on the road? I'll have to look into that.

[Wayne Kerr]

Originally posted by Burnett
If it craps out on me I'll buy and old Volvo estate for a few hundred quid and use that.

BINGO: Talk to mike k about that.