Boat Trailers & Maintenance.
Trailored Boats

Types and sizes of boats trailed on the roads today are many and varied but the principles of safe trailing remain applicable to all craft that are capable of being trailed. A boat is an expensive piece of equipment and is worthy of a trailer capable of carrying it in safety. Unless you are experienced in the art, it is better, and ultimately cheaper, to buy rather than to build.

A trailer must:

1. Be adequate for the length, beam and weight of the boat.
2. Have strong supports - at the stern, for carrying an outboard, AND directly under the engine, for carrying an inboard.
3. Be hot-dipped galvanised all over.
4. Have a winch geared for the weight of the boat and strength of the operator.
5. Be capable of carrying a weight 50% greater than the weight of the bare boat and motor.
6. Be well maintained - No rust; Nuts and bolts tight; Tyres well treaded and at correct pressure; Bearings in good order and greased regularly; Winch wire in good order; Have functioning tail and stop lights and indicators.

Boat trailers should exert an appropriate weight on the tow bar. They should have an adequate amount of safety chain. The chain must permit all normal angular movement but must prevent the forward end of the tow bar from striking the ground in the event of accidental disconnection of the coupling. Your boat trailer should have adequate brakes as required by the relevant road and traffic authority. The boat trailer must be towed by a vehicle of a weight appropriate to the weight of the trailer and boat, as specified by the relevant road and traffic authority.

Setting up the trailer:

- Centre the vessel on the trailer rollers.
- Position the vessel so that the rear roller is beneath the vessel transom.
- Locate the bow support post so that the vessel is secured in the above position.
- Adjust the roller heights for even support of the vessel weight along the keel.
- Adjust the position of the carrying rollers so that the vessel is supported beneath the stringers or reinforcing ribs.
- Adjust the tie-downs and straps to the correct length.
- Utilise a separate chain to secure the vessel eyebolt to the trailer.
- Set disc brake over-ride if fitted.

Road Trailing:

- Practise handling the trailer in an open space especially in reverse. Watch through the rear window, NOT the rear vision mirror.
- Remember that the unit is now twice the length of your car.
- Do not load the boat with all your gear - it is not a box trailer.
- Ensure petrol tanks, battery and other gear are secured.
- Check to see that - Tyre pressures are correct; Tailer lights are working; Tie downs are secure; The trailer exerts a downward force on tow bar
- The motor clamps are secure, outboard drive raised and lashed or clamped.
- Inspect the condition of the spare wheel, spare bearings and changing tools.
- Beware of air turbulence from large vehicles.
- Do not drive at high speed (check speed limits for trailing vehicles).
- Avoid potholes (the car and trailer tracks are probably not the same).
- Do not start stop or swerve suddenly.
- Ensure that the trailer and boat combination complies with the regulations set down by the relevant Road Traffic Authority.
- Inspect the security of the trailed unit at regular intervals and check the trailer wheel bearings for overheating.
- Tail-wagging may be due to: Uneven tyre pressures; A shifting load; A fracture in the trailer frame; Insufficient weight on the tow bar, or Excessive speed.

Launching your vessel:

- Prepare your vessel away from the ramp, not on it.
- Remove tie downs, load gear and equipment and ensure the drain plug is in place.
- Attach a long bow line
- Inspect unfamiliar ramps for obstacles, vessel handling areas, wind and tidal effects
- Observe other vessels being launched.
- Wait your turn at the ramp.
- Trailer sailors must make a special note of the positioning of power lines.
- Reverse onto the ramp and if possible DO NOT immerse the hubs or axles in the water. Be aware of slippery ramps.
- Unhook the boat from the bow support.
- Take the bow line (ensuring that it is secured to the forward cleat) and gently push.
- Take extreme care if using the tilt action when launching your boat as the vessel may enter shallow water too sharply and cause damage to the keel or engine of your boat. If possible, do not use the tilt action unless absolutely necessary for launching.
- Secure the boat and move the trailer promptly away from the ramp.

Recovering your boat:

- Before attempting to recover the vessel, assess any prevailing wind or current action that may swing the stern of your vessel during recovery.
- If necessary attach approximately 10m of rope to the windward cleat and have a person hold this line to maintain the vessel centred on the trailer during the recovery.
- Approach the ramp at low speed; do not make waves, moor the vessel.
- In your turn, back the trailer down the ramp, and if necessary release the tilt action mechanism.
- Centre the vessel on the rear roller and attach the winch hook to the vessel.
- Winch the vessel onto the trailer maintaining the vessel centred on rollers and, as necessary, re-lock the tilt action.
- Vacate the ramp as promptly as possible to an area well clear of the ramp.
- Secure the boat with tie downs, remove drain plug and, as necessary, drain of water.
- Where possible, wash down your vessel and trailer with fresh water to prevent salt accumulation.
- Check the trailer lights and securing chains and secure the bow post and chain.

A few quick words about wheel bearings:

If you are using your boat trailer regularly then you should have the wheel bearings checked on a regular basis. If your trailer is only used rarely, then you should make sure that the weight is taken off the wheel bearings, as they will deform if left in one position over a long period. This may cause sudden and unexpected problems when you take the boat out next. Try not to submerge the trailer wheels when launching and recovering your boat. Wheel bearings are not water tight and will rust and corrode if they get wet. If you do submerge the wheels then the bearings should be checked regularly.

Remember safety afloat is important. Equally important is safe trailing of your vessel.

"Safety by all means."

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