Haikubamboo wrote:
Is this trailer safe and harmless for this Bravo? It's a 2009 Bravo offered by a Hobie dealer. I live 45 minutes from the lake where I'll be sailing. I have four concerns:
First, the hull sits less than an inch from the wheel covers.
Second, the hull sits on some very thin rails. (I suppose if I put padding between the wheel cover and hull, that might solve both problems.)
Third, the dealer advises to let the wheels cool after getting to the lake so that the grease (which he says will liquify from the heat of the trip) doesn't leak upon contact with the water when backing the trailer down the ramp. Does that sound right?
Fourth: he suggests laying the covered mast and sail flat on the trailer under the hull.
I'll answer in the order of your questions:
First - My trailer has covers on the back side of the wheel wells. I had my trailer custom built, and this was one thing that I had asked for. It keeps all the stones and fast flying, hull damaging things, away from the boat. (see image below)
Second - The boat really shouldn't sit on those rails. It will probably move just a little, and even then, I'd find a better way to do it. I put mine on two 2x4 pieces of wood, covered in carpet (also see image below)
Third - I had my trailer built with water proof lighting, but now never take it into the water. The Bravo is so light, that it's easier to back up to the water without going in, and just pull or push the Bravo into the water without getting your trailer wet. It doesn't need much water to float, and this has been far easier than submersing the trailer. There's just no reason to do that with a boat this small and light. The key is to make sure that your bunks (in my case the 2x4's) go right to the back end of the trailer.
Fourth - You
can lay the mast on the trailer under the boat, but you'll deal with a couple of complications. First, that is an area that gets dirty and is subject to road debris. Second, the mast is much longer than the boat, and will hang out well beyond your trailer. That's not legal in some jurisdictions, but it's not all that safe anywhere. You don't want some idiot running into the mast. I use a sail tube, but you don't have to do that. I would put the mast up like I have it in my final picture below. Whether you use a sail tube or not, it shortens the overhang, and that's best. The sail bag comes with a red flag sewn into the end, so it gives other drivers a visual clue that the sail is beyond the trailer.
In the end, it's all up to you. What you feel is safe, easy, and secure. But those are my 2 cents worth.