Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Trailers

Hi Keith:

For multiple boats, I've used sprint boat club trailers that are best 
described as a large rectangular set of monkey bars with slings hanging 
down for boats to slip into.  Makes for a nice, gentle support for 
delicate boats - - no pressure points.  Also provides for a bit of 
suspension through the webbing.  It is very simple to use, and each 
sling can be easily adjusted for a perfect fit.

For one or two boats, I use a utility trailer with uprights in the 
corners, and lay slings across between the uprights.  Again, it is very 
simple and very effective, and still lets me use the utility trailer as 
a utility trailer when I'm not hauling boats.

To reduce strain on the sprits of the longest kayaks when using short 
trailers,  I tie the boat to a very sturdy padded extension ladder, and 
then sling the whole sheboo.

For trailering the heavy 40+ foot canoes, my club has yet to put in a 
sliding sling system in the trailer, but it is just a matter of time 
until we do (this method is also occasionally used for war canoe 
trailers).  We have already put in a sling system in the non-mobile 
storage trailer for them.

I prefer 2" webbing to 1" out of paranoia over pressure points, and go 
with 4" for the heavies.

The primary difference between what you propose and what I have used is 
that with my approach any given web will only suppport one boat, rather 
than daisy chain more than one boat below a support bar.  My best guess 
is that if you daisy chain a few boats all under one support bar, the 
ones in the middle will sway from side to side.  A bit of give is a good 
thing, for it evens out sudden shocks, but too much swaying can be hard 
on fragile boats (e.g. sprint boats) if it snaps their sprits about (I 
know of one K4 that was snapped in two this way).

But then I'm the fellow who continued on down a logging road dragging a 
trailer loaded with wild water kayaks, not realizing that the 
undercarriage including the axle and wheels had fallen off a few 
kilometers back.

Strong as a bull, smart as a streetcar,
Richard Culpeper


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