In 2 days I am driving 2.5 hours to look at a 1971 ODAY Mariner (19 feet long) I hope to buy and take home the same day. I just spoke with the current owner, who said that while the trailer that comes with the boat is only a few years old, he had kept the boat fully rigged at a marina, and has never set things up for longer distance trailering. While I hope to eventually make some nicer mast supports which fit onto the transom and tabernacle, my short term problem is how to get the boat, mast, boom and rigging about home safely with a few hours on the highway.
I could just bring a bunch of dense packing foam slabs as well as outdoor furniture cushions and pad where the mast hits the transom and cabin top, then strap everything down tightly with 30 foot ratcheting straps running around the whole boat, and smaller lines/straps to deck hardware.
However, I also thought about buying a cheap $15 plastic sawhorse at Harbor Freight and standing that upright in the back of the cockpit against the transom, with the mast resting on the top of the sawhorse rather than the top of the transom. The feet of this sawhorse are 24 inches wide, which I think would fit inside the back of the cockpit, and it is 31 inches high. One concern with this approach would be if things somehow shifted or collapsed while driving I would lose tension on the mast more easily that if it rested on the transom directly.
What do folks think about these two options, and any other suggestions? I have been sailing for about a year, but this will be my first boat. Also, I have not towed trailers for quite some time.
Charles E, welcome to the forum.
The ideas have merit. I'd be inclined to try the pads and straps although the sawhorse might be a good hard point to rig against. I would tie the mast firmly at the bow. I had a rear crutch bounce loose and it was the bow tying and rigging keeping the mast from leaving the boat.
Don't forget a red handkerchief for the rearward end of the stick.
Here is a Youtube with a similar boat
Maybe you could use large pool noodles cut in half and rapped around the mast?
I'd make a Tee shaped piece out of 2X4s to clamp to the transom instead of using the plastic saw horse. Although that requires a measurement and 2 big clamps. Maybe even a battery powered saw. And yes pool noodles are excellent for padding road vibrations. Yeah, even cushions. You'll be going slower, because BIG LOAD. If you haven't towed something that big before the PROBLEM is STOPPING, not going. Deck cleats can be used to lash everything down. Good luck.
I love boat trailering adventures! I brought Panda Paws home in January, 10 degrees, out of an Amish cow pasture and around the DC Beltway with my dad for fun. This sounds much better.
Couple thoughts:
- a cordless drill/driver, box of 3" screws, and some scrap 2x4 can go a long way. Most cabin tops are no more than 3-4 ft from the cockpit seats till you clear the top, so you can erect "scaffolding" on top of the benches if needed
- I've had OK luck with a basic X or A frame in the cockpit as a temp mast crutch. Couple screws to keep the angles and lots of strapping
- Instead of sitting in a crutch, you could also consider a Harbor Freight hose hook. That's what I use (different configuration) and it's been fine.
- I have a stack of old towels for padding that have come in handy. Packing tape can work for a day trip (like moving a couple states away...) at wrapping contact points (mast to pulpit), or bungees
- Most boats crutch the mast to the bow pulpit if available. I agree; pool noodle or water pipe insulation for padding
- Ratchet straps. I swear, I'm a rolling advertisement for Harbor Freight half the time with those coupon-discounted orange ones.... Everything that's staying in place gets strapped, a lot! I've also successfully used the bigger 3" yellow monsters to basically wrap the boat onto the trailer (against temp bunks) to augment the other attachments.
- Temp lights: if you are unsure of the condition, always a good thing to have. I've often cobbled a quick light board to bungee on the back of sailboats for trailering as a contingency.
- Agree on the warning method at the rear tip! Perspective isn't anyone's friend as they roll up on you!