Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

[Stamey]

I need to put my new deck boat on a flat bed trailer, to get it out of the marina, until I find a suitable trailer for it. It is a tri-hull fiberglass design (trimaran?), with the center being the same depth as the outside, or maybe slightly higher than the outsides, which means the boat should sit flat on a flat surface, as a pontoon boat would.

I'm thinking it shouldn't be a big deal to set on the trailer, flat, but while my trailer has predominantly White Oak floor, it does have steel cross members every 8 feet. I'm thinking that the steel could cause damage to the gel coat if it isn't exactly level with the wood. What I am wondering is if it would be OK to use carpet, some outdoor stuff, with rubber backing, that I have left over from carpeting another boat.

If that's not sufficient, the other thing I was thinking about is to crib it with 2x4's across the trailer so the hull is not touching the floor of the trailer. I just worry about pressure points in that case.
Perhaps a few sheets of plywood?

Just trying to make sure I have thought of everything I need to.
BTW, the stern drive will hang through a hole in the dovetail of the trailer, so should not interfere with anything.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

old tires would be my thought.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

Why not a 2x4 down the centerline/keel and make a couple of bunks for the outside sponsons?

 

[Stamey]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

I would think a 2x4 would be easy for the keel to slip off of. I will be tying it down with several 4" load straps, but gently, as I don't want to damage the top side of the boat during transit. I can get a dozen old tires free, I think, so that might be the way to go. It has bottom paint on it, so the tires can't mark it up.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[southkogs]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

I would think a 2x4 would be easy for the keel to slip off of

So would trailer rollers ... if the bunks weren't supporting the hull correctly Tires will work well with a Tri-hull if you have them available.

 

[rednecktech00]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

What abut sand bags or even a bunch of those cheap bags of top soil? Would be soft, but also easy to adjust as needed. You would still need some kind of bracing. Maybe wood or pvc pipes. Yes, I am a red neck.

 

[Stamey]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

Sand bags would likely work, as they have a stronger bag than a topsoil bag, I would think (just because the bag for the topsoil is enough to get it home, whereas the bag for the sand bag, as in sand bag used for a levy, needs to stand up to much more punishment).
I am leaning toward the tires though, as my Dad has a shop and plenty of those laying around.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[robert graham]

Re: Hull Support On Flat Bed Trailer?

old tires would be my thought.

My 2nd on the tires idea!...they'd work like a charm with some good tie down straps!....