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J & C
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 25 City/Region: Bainbridge Island
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: TBD - previously "Plain D"
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject: Trailer Wheels |
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We have launched our C16 Angler twice now and it is barely possible at our local ramp with the Forrester as I"m having to back really far in order to get the boat to start to float off. The trailer has 14 inch rims and tires resulting in a total wheel diameter of 26 inches. They fit "snug" in the fenders. Any reason I couldn't swap into 13 or even 12 inch rims and drop the trailer lower? I have about 6 inches of clearance for the outboard when it is in the down position.
Thanks
Chris |
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jennykatz
Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1679 City/Region: naples
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Little Treasurer
Photos: Jennykatz
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject: 14 in wheels |
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If your 14 wheels have 5 lugs then you might be able to buy 13in wheels with 5 lugs it should fit . It would be pretty spendy to lose an in or two at the ramp .You might want to add a little more tougue on your trailer that would get the same results . 12in wheels would not be good to small and hard to find replacements when traveling. If you post a picture you might get some better advise Good luck _________________ retired 8/08 from UAL, still working pt tm
Duck c-22 cruiser sold 6/23/08
06 Venture Cruiser with merc115CT
00 cd16 cruiser honda 40 sold 3/12 |
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cemiii
Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 419 City/Region: Alamo
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: The Last One........ III
Photos: The Last One, III
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Those plastic bunk slicks might help you to launch it? Especially on the vehicle end of the bunks. They are the first or second thing down on the link page. Those poly bunk rollers would be another thought.
http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=221
Chris _________________ Chris Murphy
Alamo, CA
87 22' Angler 08 Etec 90/07 Johnson 9.9 |
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J & C
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 25 City/Region: Bainbridge Island
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: TBD - previously "Plain D"
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the fast response. I hadn't thought about the glides for the bunks. I can get 13in rims with 5 lugs and tires that will drop me down from 26" to 22" diameter so 2" lower. Add the glides and I should be good to go!
Chris |
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cemiii
Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 419 City/Region: Alamo
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: The Last One........ III
Photos: The Last One, III
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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Suggest you might try the glides first. You may be able to save your bigger wheels and a few bucks. The bigger wheels will probably give you a better ride and greater load capacity. If it doesn't work you can always ad on plan B.
Chris |
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rogerbum
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 Posts: 5928 City/Region: Kenmore
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Meant to be
Photos: SeaDNA
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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You might also take a look at this "Xtend-a-hitch" product. In brief, this is a hitch extension that mounts to the trailer. You tow with the normal coupler on the trailer but when you get near the ramp, you drop the trailer, extend this piece (with a new coupler) and reconnect for the launch. Different extension lengths area available. See the web site for more info. _________________ Roger on Meant to be |
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dotnmarty
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 4209 City/Region: Sammamish
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: LIZZIE II
Photos: Lizzie
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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I back in until the trailer fenders are under water. Then I wade in with my rubber boots and push the boat off. It's easy, but it does require a nudge. With your 4wd Forrester you shouldnt have any problem pulling out. _________________ MartyP
"...we're all in the same boat..."
Last edited by dotnmarty on Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:30 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Levitation
Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 289 City/Region: Hemlock
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: R-25 Tug
Vessel Name: CHARLOTTE ANN
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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A hitch extension first, then if you can't quite float it off, add the slick bunks... New wheels and tires are last resort for me... _________________ denny-o |
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J & C
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 25 City/Region: Bainbridge Island
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: TBD - previously "Plain D"
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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More great advice. Thanks. One reason for choosing the C-Dory was the access to such a great resource here. The extend a hitch looks a little involved and starts at $329. What about one of these: http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo&productID=6879&categoryID=215. Its the folding hitch - which isn't a feature I need - but it does add 34" and is only $150 plus shipping and looks easier to install.
Quote: | I back in until the trailer fenders are under water. Then I wade in with my rubber boots and push the boat off. It's easy, but it does require a nudge. With your 4wd Forrester you shouldnt have any problem pulling out. |
In order to get the boat just starting to float the stern off the trailer the back end of my Forrester is buried under water - rear wheels, electrical hook-up and exhaust . The Forrester is fine for pulling it out - I have the 5 speed manual.
Alternatively I could try the "ejection" method I observed yesterday. A 22' Sea Sport launched by backing up and then braking to slide it off the trailer...
Chris |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 21469 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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The hitting the brakes is a fairly common manuever. There are some down sides, in that you don't have total control over the boat.
There are also "low profile" tires. You might go to an auto tire, but with the C Dory 16, the load is so light that the stiffer side walls may not be an issue. My C Dory 22 came with auto tires on it, and I kept them--worked fine with lots of miles.
If you change the length of the hitch, you make some change in the trailer balance. I suspect that you can make your own, extend a hitch for considerably less than the factory built unit. Also with a boat as light as the C Dory 16, you might be able to use a tongue dolly and hand launch the trailer--use the car to pull it back out. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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cemiii
Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 419 City/Region: Alamo
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: The Last One........ III
Photos: The Last One, III
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jennykatz
Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1679 City/Region: naples
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Little Treasurer
Photos: Jennykatz
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject: 16 c-dory power |
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If you have room in your garage or wherever you keep your boat I would add the one for $150 and be done with it it would give you another 3ft and launching should be good thats what i suggested before just add another 3b4 in galv piece about 3ft will do it |
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hardee
Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 12637 City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject: trailor hitch extension |
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Adding a trailer hitch extension onto the trailer will work. The extension just slides out from the trailer frame. I had this built on my sailboat trailer for minimal cost and only adds about 2 min or less to the launch time.
Harvey
SleepyC _________________ Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep. |
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J & C
Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 25 City/Region: Bainbridge Island
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1994
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: TBD - previously "Plain D"
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:52 am Post subject: Re: 16 c-dory power |
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jennykatz wrote: | If you have room in your garage or wherever you keep your boat I would add the one for $150 and be done with it it would give you another 3ft and launching should be good thats what i suggested before just add another 3b4 in galv piece about 3ft will do it |
I was initially thinking that a hitch extension would be too expensive/complicated but after further thought and looking at available options the extension using the folding hitch is both cheaper and more effective. Fabricating my own is a little beyond my abilities. A lot of woodworking, epoxy and some fiberglass experience but no metal work. Ordered the folding hitch today and will add it to the many pending boat projects...
Thanks everyone for the advice and insight.
Chris |
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localboy
Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 4673 City/Region: Lake Stevens via Honolulu
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: 'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
Photos: 'AU KAI
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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J & C wrote: | Alternatively I could try the "ejection" method I observed yesterday. A 22' Sea Sport launched by backing up and then braking to slide it off the trailer...
Chris |
I've used this "method" a few times @ the Everett boa ramps @ really minus tides with the 25. It has bunks, but they are just carpeted. Works great as long as you're controlled in your reverse speed.
I'd have to agree with some of the above advice. Wheels/tires would be my last resort. Smaller diameter tires=more revolutions=harder working bearings too. _________________ "We can go over there...behind the 'little one'....."
Wife to her husband pointing @ us...from the bow of their 50-footer; Prideaux Haven 2013 |
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