K Dog said...
I am interested in getting a trailer sailer early next year, but am thinking of getting a new (secondhand) car....
Any thoughts on what can pull what?
I know its an open question as to what kind of boat... but am thinking 16 to 20 foot tops..... so general question and general answers most appreciated, thank you.
Yes it is a very open question and therefore difficult to give a definitive answer.
What will pull what?? Also ask "What will push what??" You don't want the tail wagging the dog do you??
If the towing vehicle is heavier than the towed vehicle, you will be fairly safe on the road.
If the yacht is so heavy that it needs a dual axle trailer I suggest you get a 4wd to tow it. Dual axle trailers are a bitch to back as you have to shove tyres sideways to turn the trailer.
Generally trailers for yachts are a pain because it will probably need to have operating brakes to get a roadworthy and there is the constant rust problem.
I had a 1983 Falcon 4 speed behind which I towed a Windrush Wildfire 23 ft mono hull yacht. The trailer was single axle and with yacht weighed around 1250kg.
The car was never overstretched with that load and was very stable at 100kmh on the highway.
The yacht was fantastic and would stand up to the worst weather conditions. There is a guy in Perth who regularly single hands his Wildfire out to Rottnest Island of a weekend.
I had mine set up so I could raise or lower the mast on my own as well as launch and retrieve it.
When they were first released in 1980 they were decades ahead of their time.
If you can persuade some one to part with their Wildfire for $10,000 to $15,000 you will be doing well. Cheers Cisco
