Thursday, 15 December 2011

an outboard mounting bracket on a trailer??

Is there any reason why this idea shouldn't be done because it seems to me to be such a simple, elegant solution to an age old problem for small boat trailer sailors, that I cannot believe people haven't done it before! Am I missing something obviously wrong with this idea? Go to http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/12/chest/jan/index.html
and scroll down to trailer outboard mount section.

If you think of reasons why it shouldn't be done drop me a comment please.  I have to say that it irritates me immensely having to put the outboard in the car each time and trying to keep it upright wedged behind the drivers seat. I could put an outboard mount on my trailer with no problem and I have to do a spare wheel mount on it over the winter so this is not that much extra work.

So what am I missing....why haven't small boat trailer sailors done this before....or have they and I'm only just catching up with them?  Conundrums, conundrums...........

And here is another conundrum.......why is it that when I am desperate to go sailing, the weather is really fine and perfect but I'm stuck in school; and when I get to a holiday, the weather immediately changes and becomes howling gales?  Is there some 'Interrelationship Law' of metaphysics/meteorology/employment that I am unaware of?

It would be nice to get one more sail in before 2011 ends......but time is running out!

Steve
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous15 December 2011 at 19:42

    Hi Steve, there is no reason, other than the risk of theft, that you can't have your outboard bracket on the trailer. In fact it's a very good idea. The other gripe about the weather is known as sods law, and buying a boat multiplies the effect by a factor of 10, minimum. Phil Sykes.

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  2. steve15 December 2011 at 21:22

    only 10? which part of the world are you in phil - cos outside here i'm darn sure its raised by x 20! thanks for the reply
    have a really good christmas and new year when it finally arrives Phil

    take care
    steve

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  3. Anonymous17 December 2011 at 14:53

    Steve:

    That looks like a great idea! I don't think his setup would work with a bowsprit, so you will have to take that into account when designing one for Arwen.

    Merry Christmas!
    Wayne

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  4. steve17 December 2011 at 17:20

    hey wayne - glad you commented because i hadn't thought of that.....good point my firend - thank you!
    steve

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  5. Anonymous18 December 2011 at 04:45

    Hi Steve - good idea. Bowsprit probably not so much a consideration as the bobstay, but the outboard mounting bracket could be offset to one side, with the spare wheel mount on the other side? I aim to try that when I get my trailer. The other thing to watch will be the trailer tongue weight. In my case there will be about 24KG hanging off the outboard bracket.

    Cheers,

    Alan. (NZ)

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  6. steve18 December 2011 at 13:05

    Ha! Hadn't thought of nose weight either - good point Alan. Thanks for teh tip. Have a lovely christmas and new year

    steve

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  7. Anonymous18 December 2011 at 20:30

    Hi Steve, Phil here again. I do my boating on the Bristol channel, I keep an old mfv at Chepstowe with 14.5 meter tides, yes I did say 14.5! Plymouth is loveley, possibly a little breezier, but over all a little easier...........or is that just me? Anywaay, have a great xmas and new year. Phil.

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  8. steve19 December 2011 at 10:54

    I know bristol channel tides well - i grew up on the gower in south wales and was a very keen fisherman in my teenage years - terrific range and rip depending on where you fished. sounds like a nice vessel - you have a great christmas too and watch them tides!

    steve

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Thanks for taking a look at my blog. All comments and advice are welcome - drop me a few lines. You can always find videos about Arwen at www.youtube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy. Look forward to hearing from you.
Steve