Trailer Mod For Orkney 520

[rich]

I cannot imagine that I am the only person who has experienced difficulty in getting a 520 back onto the standard Orkney trailer when you are on your own at a shallow slip such as Baiter. Looking at the antics of others at Baiter with different boat / trailer combinations, it doesnt appear to be unique to just Orkneys.

I found that as soon as I started to winch the boat onto the trailer the weight of the boat would cause the trailer to tip up. This could cause serious damage to the gel coat at the rear of the keel ( besides transducers ect.) if allowed to bottom out on the slip. The only way I could stop it tipping was to stand on the trailer arm and use my body weight to hold it down. Needless to say that trying to winch a 520 onto the trailer whilst in this position, was to say the least very unsafe and also very difficult.

I came up with a simple fix ( probably already been done but I hav'nt seen it anywhere. )

Before putting the trailer back in the water I now remove the two trailer board arms that push into the trailer box section. I replace them with two right angle pipes I have fabricated. One end of the pipe slides into the box section and is clamped into position with the existing trailer board clamp.

The other end of the new metalwork sits about 50mm (2") above the ground.

Simply push the trailer into the water, hook up the winch strap, line the boat up and start winching whilst both feet are firmly planted on the slipway.

The trailer tips up a few degrees but can go no further because the legs prevent it tipping. Winching the boat onto the trailer has never been easier.

Now the prototype has proved successful I am getting an adjustable stainless steel set made.

If there is a better idea that I am not aware of, or that these bits of kit are available off the shelf, please let me know before any metal gets cut and welded.

 

Rich (S)

 

 

 

[Leicester Fisheagle]

Would be interested in seeing what you come up with and the cost. Could prove useful for my 520. Just a thought would it cope with sandy beaches or would some sort of foot pad be needed?

Edited August 1, 2007 by Leicester Fisheagle

[rich]

Allan,

 

Next version is going to have removable foot plates. These could be made to any diameter required. Not sure what size foot you would need for firm sand / mud. I would guess start at 250mm. The sand could'nt be to soft or the trailer tyres would sink in anyway.

I shall keep you posted of developments.

 

Rich (S)

[Coddy]

Hi Rich

 

Would it be worth adding x2 alignment poles to hold the boat in-line of the trailer in those crosswind days when recovering the boat?

 

Coddy

[diverdave]

Off the shelf

 

http://www.towsure.com/category/7312-Prop_Stands_and_Clamps

[Mikey B]

I have been using Baiter Park to launch my Orkney 520 for some time now and do not have any problems even with two crew members and our dog in the boat.

 

I do however ensure I have a least 1.3mtrs under the keel to both launch and retrieve.

 

Not ideal I know as it can mean staying out a little longer waiting for the tide.

 

The plus side is no damage to the boat while launching and not having to man handle to boat so far on the slipway.

 

Having hurt my back badly trying to retrieve the boat in a less than an ideal situation I vowed never again, and just wait for the tide height to increase.

 

It

[Adam F]

I do however ensure I have a least 1.3mtrs under the keel to both launch and retrieve.

 

Surely not!!!! 1.3mtrs - 4'.5"??

 

I launch and retreave a 1T+ Warrior 175 provided I have 1.5' of water!!! I dont think I have EVER needed to get my trailer in that deep.

 

FWIW, it is usually harder to reteave a boat the deeper you have the trailer, use the natural force of gravity to center the boat - AND....save your bearings!

 

I do agree with you on one point though - Baiter is crap!

Edited August 3, 2007 by Adam F

[Mikey B]

Adam, sorry but I forgot to add chart datum after the 1.3mtr.

 

Baiter slipway dries to 1.1mtr above chart datum.

 

1.3mtr above the chart datum will only give 0.8mtr at the end of the slipway.

 

Not what I would consider a lot of water when an Orkney needs 0.3mtr to float without the motor or any payload such as crew and fuel etc and a minimum of 0.5mtr before the keel band will even get wet when on its trailer.

 

 

Mikey B