The guy from whom I purchased Grenadine (my 30 MK I) had bought a trailer before buying the boat. He found the trailer in Missouri somewhere, if I recall correctly, and I don’t know how. It’s a 2003 triple-axle Loadmaster capable of loading a 35’ sailboat weighing up to 11,000 pounds - the axles have 5,000 pound GAWR and the trailer itself weighs about 4,000 pounds. He then bought the boat in Traverse City, Michigan. It weighs 9,000 pounds, for a total load of 13,000 pounds. He and his dad fitted the bunks etc. to the 30 MK I hull; I don’t know the details there. They towed the boat all the way from Traverse City to basically Durango, Colorado, with a 3/4 ton truck. They had to replace a couple trailer tires on the way.
When I bought the boat, the trailer was part of the deal. We cradled the mast on top of the boat. And we towed it from Lake Navajo to Chatfield Reservoir, through the high Rockies including Wolf Creek Pass, on March 11th 2016 (the roads were dry). We used a 3/4 ton HD truck with a diesel and towing package. I was sure to check all the specs on towing capacity, tongue weight, etc., and I added a trailer brake controller to the truck. I wanted to use a weight-distributing anti-sway hitch, but the trailer’s design precluded that. Regardless, the tow home went very smoothly. Grenadine’s beam is 10’ so she is a wide load in Colorado. I had to get CDOT permits and display signs, flags, etc., but no escort cars were needed. And I didn’t have any problem with clearing bridges, overhead wires, etc. The highest part of the boat, even with the mast cradled on it, is the bow pulpit - and it’s lower than standard bridge height in Colorado and the US. And since then, I trailer the boat every winter (because Chatfield Reservoir freezes over). The marina closes on Halloween and opens April 1st. The dry storage yard is one mile from the launch ramp, still inside the state park, and I don’t have to take the mast down inside the park. My crew and I have gotten pretty practiced at launching and hauling out the 9,000-pound, 30-foot boat with the trailer. But sometimes when hauling out it takes a couple tries to get it on the trailer correctly. This summer, in preparation for campaigning the boat in Colorado, we completely overhauled the trailer: new bearings, brakes, and tires; completely replaced all wiring and lights, emergency breakaway switch and battery; new heavy-duty safety chains and bolts; completely replaced all bunks, built new and improved mast cradles atop the boat, etc. The only things we didn’t replace were the axles, frame, and bunk stands. We wanted to make certain that the trailer was 100% reliable and solid before towing around the state again. We did the work ourselves, it wasn’t hard. Then my mom passed and we couldn’t campaign. The boat is still sitting in dry storage on the overhauled trailer with her mast cradled. I’ll be relaunching soon for the rest of the season. In summary, you can do it. The trick is finding a good trailer, making sure it’s in good shape, and fitting it to the boat. Cheers, Randy Stafford SV Grenadine C&C 30 MK I #79 Ken Caryl, CO > On Sep 13, 2023, at 8:16 AM, Karl Kuzis via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > Looking at Richard's photos from moving his 34cb to the shop got me > thinking..... > > Firefly is a C&C 29 Mk1 with extended keel which is lake locked 3 hrs away. > We have been considering moving her closer to home, back to the Columbia > River. As previously mentioned she is due for hull paint (or wrap) as well as > bottom inspection, paint etc. > > So the choices become hire a boat mover, or obtain a suitable trailer (rental > or buy). I have plenty of trailer-tow experience just not with a 29ft fixed > keel sailboat. > > The question to the group is: Any insights, experience or thoughts on 29 > trailering? > > > All comments, stories and discussion welcome! > > > Karl and Doris Kuzis > Firefly, C&C 29 Mk1 > karl.ku...@gmail.com <mailto:karl.ku...@gmail.com> > Cell (360) 606-2099 > Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help > me pay the associated bills. Make a contribution at: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > Thanks for your help. > Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help me pay the associated bills. Make a contribution at: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks for your help. Stu
