Picking up AI this weekend- will my Trailex work as is?

Hey, guys, I'm coming over to the dark side (used to be very active on the H16 forums)! I'm picking up an AI in Tampa this Sunday. I have this Trailex trailer and want to know if it will work temporarily sans cradles to get it home?

I've been cruising the forum for pictures of people's setups and I haven't decided whether to go with the Hobie cradles or do a PVC pipe setup. Either way, I don't have time to purchase or install this so I need your advice of the best way to get this AI home.

Here are some pictures of the trailer.

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Zach

Without knowing the length of the trailer and width of the supports, it still looks doable. You will probably need to remove or lower the front roller.

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James

2006 Quest
2015 AI

Right, I can move the bunks around when I get there. Should I transport just the hull on the trailer and put the ama's in the SUV?

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Zach

I don't have a trailer but 'car topped' my TI on a landrover. I purchased 2 x 3m long 1.5" lengths of PVC pipe and just 'tie-wrapped' them fairly loosely to my roofrack in 3 x places at approx 11" centres. They just act as supports for the length of the kayak and to be honest they've been like that ever since with no harm. Note: I removed the scupper drain covers from the hull as soon as I got them since didn't see the point in them so no issues there. Hope this helps. PS. See my pic in avatar.

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2015 Tandem Island - Golden Papaya "HALIBOO"
(retired) Outback - Hibiscus Red

It is probably easier to tie it down as just the AI and sail without the AMAs if you have room in the SUV for the AMAs.

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James

2006 Quest
2015 AI

Sounds good. Thanks, guys.

I'll probably move the bunks to the inner positions. The bunks look too wide to me as it is.

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Zach

We have a TI and to make it less wide we sometimes strap the AMA's on top of the hull. I just leave the AKA bars in the hull folded
Bob

Update: the pickup and transport went off without a hitch (no pun intended)!




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Zach

Thats kinda the way we transport our TI on long Highway trips, with the sails in the middle, then the AMA's one on each side sittiting vertical. We typically pile all the rigging, seats, pfd's, dive flags, mirage drives, and the kitchen sink into the boat, then strap the AMA's over the top of everything. We do this because all that wind from the highway tends to rip stuff to shreds (I have shredded several sets of spray skirts). With the AMA's on top we seem to get better fuel economy and eliminate the dreaded scratching of the side of the boat from the AMA's rubbing (thogh in our case it's too late, the hull sides are already trashed).
We only do this on long road trips, when local we just leave the AMA's folded.
When we store in the garage, I sometimes throw the AMA's up on top of the boat so it takes up lass room in the garage. If you leave the AKA bars in, it only takes a couple seconds to pu the AMA's back on.
When we launch and retrieve, I always put the AMA's out in the parking lot, lace the tramps, then back up to the water with the boat fully rigged, helps keep the peace at busy boat ramps.
You might be lucky, you might not need to make any mods to your trailer.
Good luck
Bob

Thanks Bob. The single bunks scare me so I'm planning on doing PVC bunks lengthwise. They will attach on top of the original wood bunks.

1.5" pvc seems to be the forum favorite.


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Zach

I have the PVC bunks and store my boat on the trailer, no issues in a couple yrs now, my opinion is the bunks are better, but thats just my opinion (plus I'm a cheap guy and can't bring myself to pay for the Hobie Bunks (lol)).
Bob

That's how I am (cheap). I'm going to use my money to get other fun toys!

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Zach