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PVC Ama Supports for Trailer
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Author:  vetgam [ Fri Feb 24, 2017 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  PVC Ama Supports for Trailer
This is what I did with PVC and a Trailex trailer. Beyond supporting the hull, the goal was to support akas and amas while trailering. I was looking for cheap and effective supports that allowed for leaving the boat in one piece when on the trailer.
You just lift up the amas over the PVC rails when you fold them in. Very secure. I have been using this for a year now. Very happy with it. You must heat bend the PVC leading up to the side rails. If you use a glued joint, it will pop off. Learned that the hard way.

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Secure on the trailer...

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Here are the heat bent PVC joints...
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Author:  fusioneng [ Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: PVC Ama Supports for Trailer
Very similar to my setup. If you extend the rear ends of the PVC pipe about a foot more than shown in the pic, the pvc will help guide the boat and help the boat self center in a cross wind when loading on the trailer.
My trailer is low to the ground so I only need to lift the bow a few inches, I then hook up to my cheapo harbor freight winch and pull the boat up on the trailer with a cordless electric drill. The electric drill trick is how us campers raise and lower the leveler jacks on our campers).
My original cheapo boat winch ( under $25 bucks) had a steel cable, I replaced the cable with a 1" wide nylon cargo strap, (doesn't rust in salt water). If you find one with a flat strap vs cable, It's worth paying a couple bucks more for the flat strap version (learn't by hard knocks in salt water).
FE

Edit:
I like your side pvc extensions (I may do that). On my current setup I just wrapped pipe insulation foam under electrical tape on the frame for the AMA's to rest on. I like your setup better.
Author:  vetgam [ Sat Feb 25, 2017 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: PVC Ama Supports for Trailer
If I could do anything different, I regret not extending the PVC hull support further aft like you said. I probably would heat bend them down slightly for the last 6-8 inches to make it easier to guide the boat onto the rails.

My intent with the post was to highlight the side rails. I assume most know about the central hull rails. I only use one tie down for the whole boat now! Just aft of the front crossbar. Otherwise everything is held solidly in place for travel. I do use the bungee designed to hold the amas in but I have forgotten to use those at times and the amas stay secure with the PVC by itself. The amas can not pop up and out on their own unless the trailer flips on the road. If that happens, I've got bigger problems. So to deploy, all I do is remove one strap, put up the mast and release the amas. That's the real beauty of this setup.
Author:  GarySC [ Sat Mar 11, 2017 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: PVC Ama Supports for Trailer
Greg, I like your setup. 'Simple, sleek and effective. I am about to order a Trailex trailer and was wondering which model you have. Is it a SUT-350-S?
Have you experienced any problems with the Amas rubbing up against the boat hull when you are trailering? Also, are you finding any problem with the tail lights with regard to visibility? They seem very close together; wondering if people can make them out ok?
Author:  vetgam [ Sat Mar 11, 2017 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: PVC Ama Supports for Trailer
Hi Gary. I purchased a Trailex SUT 220-S Ultralight trailer. Perfect for the AI. Not an oz more weight or an inch longer than needed. Tracts perfectly. Too short for use with an TI. So if you have a TI in your future and want to use the trailer, you had better beef up top the SUT 350-S or the double version for 2 boats.

Here is a link to the SUT 250-S

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/14833/Trailex-Ultra-Light-Duty-Boat-Trailer-with-Leaf-Springs-SUT-220-S.html

The wooden V-supports make it a breeze to screw your PVC bunks to the trailer. The frame is ideal to support the square Ama supports with nothing more than large air duct zip ties. I would do it this way all over again but extend the PVC bunks back 6-12in and heat bend them down and maybe out at a slight angle to allow the boats bow to find the bunks when loading.

The lights are visable but I switched to LED lights after the light bulbs kept going out with a few dips in the water. Wow..., LED are very bright. Visability is not a problem with the boat on the trailer as long as you are about 5 feet or more back. I think the LED lights on the trailer catch their eye way before my cars tail lights now.
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