Arwen's meanderings

Hi everyone and welcome to my dinghy cruising blog about my John Welsford designed 'navigator' named Arwen. Built over three years, Arwen was launched in August 2007. She is a standing lug yawl 14' 6" in length. This blog records our dinghy cruising voyages together around the coastal waters of SW England.
Arwen has an associated YouTube channel so visit www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy to find our most recent cruises and click subscribe.
On this blog you will find posts about dinghy cruising locations, accounts of our voyages, maintenance tips and 'How to's' ranging from rigging standing lug sails and building galley boxes to using 'anchor buddies' and creating 'pilotage notes'. I hope you find something that inspires you to get out on the water in your boat. Drop us a comment and happy sailing.
Steve and Arwen

Sunday 13 May 2018

frustrations with boat trailers

So I've painted the interior; done the spars, tided up Arwen, replaced old split cleats, made a galley box, refurbished the rudder, fitted new storage straps for camping gear; fitted hasp locks to locker doors and hatches. Even the mast has undergone a little refurbishment.

Tomorrow I was planning on going sailing. I completed RYA Day Skipper theory all last week.
So I tow the boat off the steep driveway ready for tomorrow and..........................

........I can't hitch up. The car electric tow socket is broken; the tow pin adaptor which goes in it for the boat lightening board - gets jammed and won't come out.

Words fail me!
Not often am I speechless, for I am after all from Wales.

However, after words failed me on the electrics, I became genuinely speechless when I went to inspect trailer tyres. Despite being protected on the drive our harsh winter has taken its toll.



So a dilemma!
I am exactly 1.5 miles away from a trailer centre. Can I make it there with this tyre showing these small side wall splits? 

It will take trailer experts to get that wheel off, the nuts are rusted solid. So.......expense and time. 
Frustration does not begin to describe where I am right now. How I long for a garage big enough to take Arwen over the winter!

So new tyre and rim; spare new tyre and rim; cost of service. Her indoors isn't going to take this one lying down. 

6 comments:

Paul Mullings said...

Get aluminium wheel hubs, mine are still going strong since 1979!

steve said...

I think the hubs are fine apart from the studs. I had them replaced a couple of years ago. The rims are the issue - it doesn't matter how well I rinse them off after a trip - corrosion takes hold - immensely irritating. However, I shall now go investigate what I can find aluminium wise - great tip - cheers Paul
Steve

Steve-the-Wargamer said...

Ouch and double ouch.... got enough room to build a lean to to keep it under??

steve said...

Hi Steve, sadly not. However, the local trailer centre have been brilliant - they did me a deal on two new wheels and will fit them for £10. They will also check bearing hubs etc - all included in the price. - Being sorted Friday

Bursledon Blogger said...

Been there, got the rust, headaches and heartache. These days I put any trailers staying out over winter up on blocks, covered and take the wheels off safely in the garage. It's a faff but worth it. Sounds like you have a good trailer shop locally which is great ours is miles away.

steve said...

wish i could put it up on blocks but given the steepness i'm not sure the neighbour across the road would appreciate Arwen in his front lounge