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odet
Ireland
3 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Nov 2012 : 14:26:14
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Hi everybody,
I have been contemplating getting a small GRP cruiser for a while. Living in Ireland, ideally it should be trailable, to get to the English canals or even to France.
Ideally I would get a Norman 32, but im not sure what the weigt of it is, and also if its trailerable at all.
Has anybody done this or will you tell me outright that this is a silly idea ?
Thank you very much for your answers.
odet
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2012 : 17:01:05
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A 32 has to be 3+ tons so will be quite a lump to trail, a 25 would probably be the largest practicle but depends on your towing vehicle, don't forget to add the weight of the trailer.
Normans are surprisingly heavy as the older ones are laid up fairly chunky.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2012 : 20:27:44
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| I know I will be disagreed with. But I am making my own trailer for my 32. When I bought my 32 we put it on a weigh bridge on the way home and it was 2.7 tons. As long as the combined weight of boat and trailer is less than 3.5 tons it is legal to tow providing you have a vehicle suitable to tow with. Some where on this site there is a 32 which was towed abroad with a range rover |
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odet
Ireland
3 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2012 : 20:44:48
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At least this proves that this is a proper boater forum :-)
Two replies, two completely contrasting answers.
Anyway its good to hear that it can be done at least in theory. To this point in life a car has for me always been a means to get to the boat, away from the boat or to work to pay for the boat.
@ startford: Do you have any drawings for the trailer or are you just making it up as you are going along. Sorry for asking stupid quastions, but fabrication / welding is not my strong side.
Regards
odet |
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stratford4528
United Kingdom
414 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2012 : 21:54:52
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| I have had to research for the trailer. You can buy a trailer suitable but they are expensive.Trailer plans are not available only from America which I bought and had my money refunded because American trailers would not be road legal in the UK. I have designed my own trailer by looking at other trailers. A friend of mine is going to make it for me when his welders have not much work. Also they are coded welders which I am not. And it will go off to be galvanized with his metal. The 1800kg axles and hitch I found on offer on eBay at £600 which was very cheap. When the trailer is built and tested I will be offering the plans because as I said Plans are not available to buy. |
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odet
Ireland
3 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2012 : 12:05:58
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Thanks very much,
I well might come back to you in due time.
Regards
odet |
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Morse
United Kingdom
82 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2012 : 12:37:05
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Sounds like in theory it mightwork, but I wouldn't even try. The boat would have to be completely emptied each time it was moved, water, fuel, every bit of gear. Also, if you're not used to towing boats, it's definitely not a good idea to start with something ight at the limit. Only a handful of 4 x 4 vehicles would be legal for this. Better to get it done by lorry with a Hiab.
Jim |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2012 : 17:19:05
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I used to tow my Freeman 22 with a large 4x4. Not a pleasant experience, anything above 40mph was a definite no, no and we were not technically very close to the limit.
We used to move the boat from Cambridgeshire to Norfolk. Not very far, relatively speaking, but I would not fancy motorways as every time a truck passed, the air disturbance caused all sorts of handling problems.
32 foot at any weight is going to be hairy on the road, whatever the tow vehicle.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 30 "Silver Gem"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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kev13
United Kingdom
114 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2012 : 20:06:38
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| I was planning on using a chassis from a twin wheeled caravan as the basis for the start of a trailer, after I had taken my 23 on a weigh bridge first to find out her weight. |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2012 : 20:12:49
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Caravan chassis are pretty flimsy.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2012 : 20:44:48
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quote:
Originally posted by stratford4528
Some where on this site there is a 32 which was towed abroad with a range rover
Yes - That was Freds 'Rock n Roll' - However , having talked to him (he used to moor opposite me) not really recommended !!!
IIRC he was almost thrown off the cross channel ferry !
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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Morse
United Kingdom
82 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2012 : 09:27:31
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I'm afraid caravan parts just aren't up tp it. You would bend the chassis in a heartbeat. The suspension and tyres would fail as well. The only way is to start afresh with substantial steel and much bigger suspension, wheels and tyres.
It's going to be very expensive, and I still think you would be better off with a truck with a Hiab. I assume you're not going to be moving it every weekend.
I used to tow a lot of boats, as we had a boat hire company on the canals. Up to 25 foot is quite reasonable, but anything bigger is a pain. 32 foot will be seriously difficult, especially if you haven't done much boat towing. I really don't recommend it.
Jim |
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2012 : 19:25:00
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Having struggled launching and recovering a 22 foot hull on slipways, think you will need to crane a 32 in and out. I will be amazed if you find a suitable slip.
Sorry, just another thing to think about.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 30 "Silver Gem"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2012 : 22:47:55
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Could be worse - You could have binned your 'Binliner'
& thats only 27ft (ok its fatboy beam) !
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2012 : 07:35:49
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A guy bought a fairline fury from our old marina a couple years back with the intension of taking it to scotland on an inadequate trailer, I beleive at least 2 members of this forum saw it skate down thw A1, apparently the recovery and fine cost him a fortune.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Morse
United Kingdom
82 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2012 : 09:05:58
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They always look bigger, lying on the road.
Jim |
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Topic |
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Normans and trailers
