Trailer Help!

Submitted by Andy Carrier on Mon, 08/03/2009 - 19:11
Forums: 
Owning, Rigging, and Sailing the Flying Scot

I have an older trailer that I use for dry sailing my FS. The trailer is 15 years old and in great condition, but I have trouble centering my FS on the trailer. I can't get the center lined up on all of the rollers. There must be some technique or additional centering equipment/methods that can help get my FS centered on the trailer.

Any advice would be appreciated.

TKS

Andy
FS4957

sawyerspadre

Tue, 08/04/2009 - 17:28

If the boat won't center:

1 Use a stern line to keep the stern under control.

2 Try backing the trailer into the water less deep, if the boat is winching out of the water onto the trailer, it tends to stay straight. If it is floating onto the trailer, it can go all over the place while you crank the winch.

Phil Scheetz
FS 4086

Andy Carrier

Thu, 08/06/2009 - 05:11

Thank you for your advice. My first roller - that is the roller at the end of the trailer is deep in the water. The next roller moving forward is just above the water's surface. From what your are telling me, I have the trailer too deep. So, the rear roller should be at water level [?]

Also, I usually have a boom tent cover on and the boat is moving more with the wind. I guess I should wait and cover the Scot after it is on the trailer.

Claus

Thu, 08/13/2009 - 13:26

quote:[i]Originally posted by Andy Carrier[/i]
[br]Thank you for your advice. My first roller - that is the roller at the end of the trailer is deep in the water. The next roller moving forward is just above the water's surface. From what your are telling me, I have the trailer too deep. So, the rear roller should be at water level [?]

Yes, the roller is just at the water line. On the Trailex aluminum trailer this means that you stop just before the hubs of the wheels are about to touch the water. Hubs are easier to see in the rear view mirror than the roller at the end of the trailer. Besides it's best to keep the hubs dry.

Claus FS5074 Ames, IA

Andy Carrier

Fri, 08/14/2009 - 08:21

Thank you for the info - very helpful!

Andy Carrier

Fri, 08/28/2009 - 10:00

Nice looking Scot.

I was thinking about adding additional bunk boards to center my FS. I like the idea of dual rollers with the lights mounted on the goal posts. Did you have to add additional support to gain the offset for the goal posts?

Andy
FS4957

Andy Carrier

Mon, 08/31/2009 - 09:47

Thank you. I took some rough measurements from my Cooper trailer and I need about 16" of offset. The rollers and bunk boards that I have been looking at (Cabellas and Overtons)come with a 13" offset. Thanks for the advice.

Andy
FS4957

randalbradshaw

Thu, 01/12/2023 - 23:47

Hi Andy, 

Did you ever resolve your centering problems?  I have an old Tee Nee trailer and I have the smae problem. I cannot get the boat to center. Did yu find a solution, or find some trick that would help?  I haente attempted adjusting the bunkers. I have adjusted teh roller a little but not much.

 

Thanks, Randal

sawyerspadre

Fri, 01/13/2023 - 17:58

You probably have the trailer in too deep