Winter storage (trailer)

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   Hi all
We have just taken our Laser out of the water and I noted that almost all of the weight seem to be on the keel rather than on the trailer pads.  Is this normal or should we lift the trailer pads so as to distribute the weight between the keel and the pads ?
Also, I noted that the boat sits on the trailer with the bow much higher than the stern.  Does anyone have the distance the pads should be from the trailer structure for the 3 sets of pads for the original factory trailer.  I understand that the current position is best to evacuate water in the cockpit but we tarp the boat for the winter so this is not much of an issue.
Finally, does anyone know if the keel should be at the very front of the metal plate structure on the trailer ?  Ours is currently sitting 2 inches back of the front plate on the trailer and it gives me a strange feeling when I walk on the boat... as if the boat will fall back (probably just a feeling)!

Thanks
André
Still Crazy III

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Winter storage (trailer) Posted: 06 October 2005 at 9:11am
	Hi all We have just taken our Laser out of the water and I noted that almost all of the weight seem to be on the keel rather than on the trailer pads. Is this normal or should we lift the trailer pads so as to distribute the weight between the keel and the pads ? Also, I noted that the boat sits on the trailer with the bow much higher than the stern. Does anyone have the distance the pads should be from the trailer structure for the 3 sets of pads for the original factory trailer. I understand that the current position is best to evacuate water in the cockpit but we tarp the boat for the winter so this is not much of an issue. Finally, does anyone know if the keel should be at the very front of the metal plate structure on the trailer ? Ours is currently sitting 2 inches back of the front plate on the trailer and it gives me a strange feeling when I walk on the boat... as if the boat will fall back (probably just a feeling)! Thanks André Still Crazy III

Bill Brock Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Skipper Joined: 08 February 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 53	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Brock Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 October 2005 at 3:12pm
	Regarding your trailer pads, I set my pads so that most of the weight is on the keel. I do this to prevent the hull from "oil canning" (deforming do to local pressure) when too much weight is put on the pads. This is a light displacement boat and the hull (although very strong) is relatively thin compared to other heavier boats. If you are moving the boat over the road (outside the boatyard) or storing it outside for the winter always use tie down straps to hold the boat to the trailer. Put a short piece of 4" x 4" fore and aft on either side of the forward hatch to keep the hold down pressure off of the hatch itself. In very high winds boats can be blown off the trailer if sitting in a boatyard. Make sure you block the wheels well. Not knowing exactly what your trailer looks like it is hard for me to comment on fore and aft positioning of the boat on the trailer. I don't know if all the trailers were made the same. With my trailer, probably the first trailer that was made, since I have the first production boat, I always put my boat all the way up to the front keel stop. My trailer was actually modified slightly, apparently when it was made, to mover the stop a little further forward than originally planned. In this position the C.G. is better for towing. I alway put a wood block under the back beam of the trailer and jack up the front until the block is just touching when I am working on the boat. This makes the boat much more stable. One other item, I live in Iowa and out here we actually launch and recover our boats off of the trailer. I have modified my trailer with a tongue extension and a keel guide that works very well. If anyone is interested in pictures and drawings of the modifications please e-mail me at wmabrock@msn.com.