Trailer Problem

The last retrieve exposed a new issue with the trailer roller setup. Glasson SC is on the river Lune and launching is possible for about 1/2 the tide. At each end of the launch window the tidal stream is at the maximum, and it is pushing the hull sideways making alignment very difficult. As I recollect, I hitched to the bow hook and began to winch in, but because the tidal current was pushing the boat to one side, just one rear roller set was in contact with the hull so this was the pivot point. Unfortunately the roller bracket was missligned.

The rollers are designed to wobble in order to exert equal pressure between each pair of wheels. On this occasion the bracket holding the wheels on the aft starboard was pushed over so the side of the wheel came into contact with the hull. Some damage to the hull was sustained while winching in. but thankfully only superficial, a scratch through the paintwork going far enough to expose wood. The wheel spindle bent and so too did the stantion. Unfortunately this also means no road transport until it is fixed so I was forced to leave the boat at Glasdon SC and return the following week to make repairs.

The following week I upgraded all 4 stantions from 3mm to 4mm thick and made new brackets. Heavy duty spindles were added and eight new heavy duty wheels. I designed the brackets so they only wobble inwards towards the hull and rotation in the opposite direction limited by design to the horizontal which should ensure this problem will not happen again.

I repaired the paintwork, but I will need to redo the next time the hull bottom is repainted to create a totally smooth surface.

I am now considering replacing this trailer with an uprated replacement. Most likely it will be a bunker trailer as I think it will be kinder to the hull and provide stronger structural support for road transport.