Trailering With Rudders On

Does anyone have any experience with trailering the Getaway with the rudders/tiller crossbar on the boat?

_________________
Dave

Sure, that's the way I normally trailered. Just stick the pins in the holes to hold them up. I should mention that I had a rear mast rest to hold the mast above the crossbar. I also tied the crossbar to the seat posts so the rudders wouldn't flop around.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I pictured having them in the down position for transport. I didn't know if the trailer springs could compress enough for them to hit the ground, but I figured having them in the up position would put a lot more load on the hull.

So you've done this a lot without any signs of wear or damage?

_________________
Dave

No wear or damage in three years trailering that way. Rudders up is safer, I think--hate to break a rudder on a rock or pothole. Boat is really light. Rudders are really light. Trailer is oversprung for the weight.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I would love to see your rear mast rest. Can you post a picture?

_________________
Dave

I probably posted one before, but if you look at my video of mast raising, you'll see it. It is just some roll bar steel welded to the mast in a U shape with a detachable mast rest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE9cmSGmXcM

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I couldn't see much from the video, too far away. What exactly does it attach to at the stern of the boat? Do you have any closer photos of it?

_________________
Dave

Doesn't attach to the boat at all. It is a U welded to the trailer frame. Hangs out suspended behind the boat. Then a crutch is dropped onto it to support the mast. No photos-and no longer have the boat.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I take mine off, since I mistrust the weight of the rudders bouncing on the gudgeons. But I'm trailering on the highway for an hour and a half.

_________________
Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

Same here. Rudders off and highway for 70 miles each way.

_________________
2002 Getaway - SOLD in 2018 "Cheshire Cat"
2016 AI - Bought used 3.18.23 "Crabby Puppy"

I've taken mine off too, for both a Wave and a T2, to reduce stress time on the gudgeons.

I am considering buying a Getaway and am doing some research... I'm curious what experiences you all have while trailering several hours. This is one concern I have, that the boats being so wide and sort of light may not make as solid a connection to the trailer as a daysailor type boat. Do you feel confident at highway speeds, etc.? Any recommendations to make the trailer more solid, or a different trailer altogether?

thanks for any ideas.

I haul mine from Michigan to Florida and back every winter. The winch is holding the front of the boat down and I have straps about 1/3 and 2/3 of the way back. No problems at all.

_________________
Dave

A Getaway is a fine boat. You won't regret getting one, if you do so. Trailering seems to be easy for most folks. I did worry that there was inadequate tongue weight on the truck hitch. You might want to ensure the trailer has a spare tire mounted up front to increase the tongue weight. Try to avoid strapping the hulls too tightly to the trailer...especially in the rear as you can damage the skegs if you don't have enough support. The trailer I had (and there seems to be a lot of different trailers in use) was oversprung for the load; so the boat did jounce around some.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

I usually trailer my Getaway for about an hour, but I've taken it 3 hours away. And I used to own a Hobie 17 that I trailered all over the place, starting from my home in the Chicago area to Ohio, Kentucky, Delaware.
I've never had any problems with trailering the boats, even in high cross winds. They follow along very nicely.

Just make sure your trailer is in good shape. My dealer forgot to put a nut on one of the spring shackles, and didn't grease or properly adjust the hubs. I luckily found the shackle bolt almost all the way out, right before a 3 hour trip. And I had to replace my wheel bearings after the first season.

_________________
Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks