John Lunn wrote:
Any cautions on strapping down?
I've always told people not to strap over the hulls because it can wear the gel coat (fluttering straps) and the potential for crushing. On an 18, strap from the crossbeam, just inside the hull, down to the trailer (4 straps). It's not necessary to get the straps ultra-tight (don't use ratchet straps). Position the straps so they oppose each other (front angled back, back angled front or vice-versa) and angle slightly inward. That way, any movement of the boat relative to the trailer actually makes it more firmly attached.
Use the "powers of ten" method to check the boat & trailer - check after 1, 10, 100, 1000 miles.
John Lunn wrote:
On my old trailer, I had cradles in front and double rollers at the rear.
That's perfectly adequate for an 18. Most of the boat's weight is on the forward support.