The winch post top and its bow roller were extended back about 20 cm. This was to allow the hull to sit further back on the trailer and balance better (less down force on the trailer ball). It was previously way too heavy.
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| Winch post extension and bow roller |
To do this: The roller jaws were cut off and an extension made from spare steel 3x2" Chanel was welded onto the winch post top (red in photo). The roller jaws were welded back onto this extension. A support pipe was fitted and welded underneath for strength. Finally the winch was cleaned up (flood silt and hardened grease) and bolted back on.
Next the side bunks and keel guides were fitted. These are attached to the frame with 50mm inside U-bolts and custom steel plates. The long u-bolts were later cut off to fit.
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| First fitting of side bunks and keel guides |
The side bunks were made extra long before trying the hull on for fit. In all the boat was winched on and off the trailer three times before all the bits and pieces were fitting well and cut to length.
The aft keel guide roller pins had to be modified as they were too far apart. There must be a hundred ways of doing this and many would be better than my method. It has only one direction of adjustment - vertical, the horizontal is fixed - welded. A dog-legged mini frame was needed, made from 2x2cm bar and the old roller pins were welded to this. The system fits around the aft double rollers pivot pins and everything is removable.
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| Trailer fitting aft view |
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| Keel guide and rollers detail. Ute positioned for winching trailer out from under boat. |
The keel rollers were adjusted to fit the keels curve. Once the bunk and keel guide posts etc were trimmed off the trailer could tilt much further without digging the back into the ground.
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| The tilt system. This made it easier to get the trailer under the keel. The winch wire now sits under the bow roller, safer as the boat cant ride up over it if braking hard (also have chain down). Note new brake cable fitted. |
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| Tilt trailer in operation - removing boat. Winch wire goes forward to Car tow hitch. 8"x 4" (20 x 10 cm) hardwood beams used under keel. |
The tilt hinge seems to work well in its new position for dry land boat winch on and off trailer. The keel guides and double keel rollers working well. The side bunks don't need to be lowered, they can remain in fixed position.
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| Underneath tilt trailer - Forward keel guide plates, brake wire and saddles with bolts. |
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| Teria on trailer - final test fitting. |
"Teria" was much easier to winch onto the trailer than previously, the double rollers tilting to spread the load on keel base and the tilt trailer tilting to the correct angle to match multiple rollers to the keel.
The tow ball weight is better too, able to lift it by hand. Don't know the ball weight yet, (Its not as back-breaking heavy as before)
Looking forward to getting it hot dip galvanized next.
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