John Hillier Kilgore, Texas
Boat Name:
Model/Year: Catalina 22 69 or 70
Hull No. 56
Hailing Port: Tyler, Texas |
07/15/2009 8:24 AM Pacific Time
My boat is one of the lighter Catalina 22's and is on it's original trailor. It tends to fishtail like crazy when going at highway speeds with curves. The only significant weight in the stern is a 40 # motor. Any suggestions?? (espesially from Gene Ferguson). |
David Torrisi Santa Clara, CA
Boat Name: Dumbo
Model/Year: 1975 C-22
Hull No. 4330
Hailing Port: Santa Clara |
07/15/2009 10:57 AM Pacific Time
You need more tongue weight. It should be 10% of the trailer weight or near 300#. If you can lift your tongue by hand, it's likely too light. Shift the boat forward a few inches, load all your gear in the bow of the boat or move the axle aft.
David |
Robert Donehoo Duluth Ga
Boat Name: Shady Deal
Model/Year: Catalina 22 1979
Hull No. 8940
Hailing Port: Lake Lanier Ga |
07/15/2009 1:41 PM Pacific Time
I have the same problem. The tongue is light enough to pick up by hand and the boat has done several transom stands when I forget to put a block under the trailer. I am going to take an old scale and try to move the boat forward until the tongue weight is 200+. When I travel I remove the motor 60lbs forward to the cockpit floor. The transom is not really made to support the motor while traveling.
I am going to mount the spare tire on the winch support to add a few more pounds. On my 1986 new style I moved the 2 group 27 batteries under the companion way where the cooler used to be.Check the hitch ratings on the vehicle. Just a couple of ideas to add to David's good suggestions. |
Joe McElroy Snoqualmie, Washington
Boat Name: Teasel
Model/Year: 1979 Swing Keel
Hull No. 9014
Hailing Port: |
07/15/2009 2:45 PM Pacific Time
It doesn't take much weight shifted from the back to the front of the boat to make a big difference. I found that just keeping the rudder forward in the cabin instead of the cockpit helped. |
Ron Peak Grove, OK
Boat Name: Quiet Time
Model/Year: 1980
Hull No. 9772
Hailing Port: Cedar Cove, Grand Lake, OK |
07/16/2009 4:41 AM Pacific Time
My guess is that over the years a lot of trailers have been set up with the boat as far aft as possible on the trailer in order to make launching just a little bit easier. Moving the boat forward should take care of the problem. The idea of about 300 pounds tongue weight sounds good. |
Greg Baker Charlotte, NC
Boat Name: Sea Sharp Minor
Model/Year: Catalina 22 - 1984 - Swing Keel
Hull No. 11823
Hailing Port: Lake Norman Sailing Club |
07/16/2009 6:43 AM Pacific Time
Another option that may be easier than moving the boat forward would be to move the axle(s) backward. Or, like me you might have to do both to get the tounge weight up. I agree not to leave the motor on the transom while traveling. My 4 hp Mariner goes in the back of my Explorer. |
Lynn Buchanan Nevada City, CA
Boat Name: SAILYNN
Model/Year: SWING 1984
Hull No. 11994
Hailing Port: SCOTTS FLAT LAKE, CA |
07/16/2009 2:35 PM Pacific Time
Moving the axle can solve the problem without changing the bunk angle for launching the boat. Also, if you move the boat forward on the bunks you will probably have to move the forward upright that the boat nose stops against. I would try moving the axle. Also as stated try to get as much or your gear weight forward on the trailer. Some attach a small box for storing their motor on the front of the trailer, under the boat, and also mount their spare tire there for the tongue weight. Good Luck and be sure to not drive to fast! |
billy Illinois
Boat Name: address unknown
Model/Year: 87 c22
Hull No.
Hailing Port: Lake Shelbyville |
07/21/2009 8:16 AM Pacific Time
I agree with moving the axle...an inch makes a very big difference and easier to do than other adjustments. |
Rick White Woodstock,On.
Boat Name:
Model/Year: 1986
Hull No. 13176
Hailing Port: |
11/16/2009 1:22 AM Pacific Time
I welded a 6" extension onto the tongue so that our van door would clear the winch to open and it pulled like a dream after that. I was not intending to solve that problem as I don't travel with the boat far but that worked very well. |