Re: Tilt trailers: Why?

DAVID_KAUTZ@HP-Sunnyvale-om5.om.hp.com
Mon, 12 Apr 1999 15:46:11 -0700

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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Bill,

I didn't use the tilt feature on my trailer until Harry showed me how.
In fact, all of the retrieving problems that I experienced on my first
outings were related to backing the trailer too far into the water.

I had read somewhere that the trailer had to be backed in until the
rear bunks were submerged. With the P-15, this meant that the stern
was still afloat, even after the boat was all the way up to the bow
stop - it was a crap shoot when pulling out as to whether the keel
would end up on the rollers or not. Anyway, if you use the trailer as
a "float-off", it never tilts.

So I go sailing with Harry, who has a tilt-trailer in a gorgeous shade
of orange, He backs down near the water, the tires are in but the hubs
aren.t, I figure he's just stopped to check something but he lets the
boat go, the trailer does a big ka-whump and his Potter is launched.

I do the same now - water just below the hubs. I've been leaving the
winch line on and cranking the boat down to moderate the rather sudden
launch velocity that results when the trailer tilts up if I've got my
outboard mounted.

To retrieve, back the trailer in to the same point - people WILL give
you strange looks - on my trailer the aftmost roller is still above
water - pull the bow up against the roller and winch. The trailer
folds, pulling the bunks and roller under water, the tension on the
winch line helps the boat self-align and it comes up on the trailer
straight every time.

Keeping the roller spindles lubed seems to help in minimizing the
effort required when winching - Francesca often does the cranking.

I've never seen a P-19 launched from a tilt trailer - in fact, I don't
think I've ever seen a 19 launched from anyting other than a "Baja"
style trailer - but I'd hope it would be similar to the P-15 method
only "scaled up". Bigger wheels, bigger winch, bigger boat, etc.
Another advantage to not backing in so far is that there always seems
to be better traction higher up on the ramp, especially when
retrieving at low tide.


Dave Kautz
P-15 #1632 Tilly Lucy
Palo Alto, CA


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Tilt trailers: Why?
Author: bblohm-at-boi (bblohm@boi.hp.com) at hp-boise,mimegw7
Date: 4/12/99 1:01 PM

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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Ok, let's try this one on for size. What's the advantage of
the tilt trailer? How is it meant to be used?

I have launched and retrieved Dream Catcher with the trailer
locked and unlocked, and it doesn't seem to make any difference.
It may well be that my launching and retrieving skills are
sadly lacking. Obviously, tilt trailers wouldn't exist if they
didn't have some use, but what?

Bill B.
P-19 #454, Dream Catcher
Nampa, ID