Converting this trailer for my Mirror dinghy to take my 3.2m SIB

[9D280]

If you aren't towing with the engne on I suspect the trailer itself will keep the nose weight up. If no engne i'll +1 Chipko's thoughts as Unless you make it from lead I doublt you'll overome the weight of the trailer ahead of the axle.

WRt tying it down, I use the towing eyes on my transom. I doub't you'll have them on a SIB, but could you use something daft like a scrap 2 / 4HP Outboard clamp (minus the engine!) - then you just clamp it on & use that for your ratchet strap(s)?

Another thought crossed my mind - Did the mirror actually sit on that keel block halfway down the trailer "chassis"? (Just behind the "V" of the trolley frame) - I'll bet the SIB dosenlt touch that, so could you use it to add a "forward Bunk" (that would support it on the road but not add weight to the launch trolley).... or maybe use as a fix point for the trolley?

[Croolis]

I have the brackets for transom wheels on the transom (I'll be glad to not have to use those any more), so I expect I can use those somehow at the back. There's handles and whatnot around the boat, but SIBs being SIBs, if loss of tautness is a thing there's nothing to stop it as there's nothing besides the transom that's solid. Anyway, I guess there's ways to deal with it as I don't see anyone saying it's a non starter for that.

That black rubber block halfway down the centre line, I think the launching trolley should actually be sitting on it, think the crosspiece on the launch trolley you see right next to it is just sitting wrong in the shot, shuld be on top of the block. There are two more of the same block at the back on the welded on bunk that the launch trolley is sitting on there. It's damping for the trolley against the road trailer. My other combi trailer used to rattle like mad because it didn't have any of that.

[Croolis]

Originally Posted by Croolis

That black rubber block halfway down the centre line, I think the launching trolley should actually be sitting on it, think the crosspiece on the launch trolley you see right next to it is just sitting wrong in the shot, shuld be on top of the block. There are two more of the same block at the back on the welded on bunk that the launch trolley is sitting on there. It's damping for the trolley against the road trailer. My other combi trailer used to rattle like mad because it didn't have any of that.

Looking at it, maybe, maybe not as it goes. Maybe it is supposed to be a keel support for the boat. I hadn't launched the Mirror for so long, and I wasn't present when the guy who bought the boat took it off the trolley, so I don't know. I'll figure it out when I get to grips with it. Won't be for another month before I start looking at it anyway. I have some major stuff going on.

[Croolis]

Folks, I'm thinking about this again, and now I'm thinking about corrosion.

I'm thinking maybe I could just get some handrail bannister brackets and attach them with u-bolts and plates to the trailer stretchers. Then stick 2x3 wooden bunks on those. Will depend on measurements. Might get away with it.

The trailer frame has been painted. I can only assume it's galvanised steel under there or else previous owner wouldn't have bothered painting them, right?

That would mean any attachments to the trailer frame needs to be galvanised steel as well so galvanic corrosion doesn't happen? Or maybe, I can just put some plastic in between surfaces to stop contact...

[Croolis]

I got out yesterday and inflated the boat and got it on the trailer to see what's what.

I cut off the little vertical things at the back that were for holding the Mirror, as they were too narrow for the SIB.

Got some photos. I think it's going to work well if I attach the bunks as described.

The wider shot showing both tubes is just on the launch trolley, and I hadn't inflated the air deck or sausage keel at that point, and the tubes, while firm, didn't have full pressure either. I failed to get a shot of it in this state but what happened was, the keel lifts off that back metal bunk by a couple inches.

From the two other shots showing how the tube lines up with the stretcher that runs the length of the launch trolley, you can see that I need to take the pieces of 25mm box section I have on order, u-bolt them vertically to the outside of the stretcher to form pillars. I will be putting box section feet pieces on upside down on top of the pillars and bolting the 3x2s to those for bunks.

If anyone has any thoughts on how to paint the box section (mild steel) please let me know.

The 3x2 bunks will need to extend back from the metal back bunk by 350mm. A bit longer than a school ruler. I'll attach my trailer board to the end of those I guess. I'll route out a cross section on them so they slot onto the metal bunk at the back so I don't gain too much height when I add them.

Looking at the boat from the side shot, I'll need to decide where to terminate the wooden bunks at the front end. The boat will sit higher than it is there at the front end when the bunks have been added.

I'll work out how to lash everything down, trolley to trailer, boat to trolley, and also what keel support I could add, when I've done the bunks.

Looks like it's going to work OK .

After I put the boat away I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the moss off the pavers with a hoe .