Sorry I took so long to reply. I was trying to get my posts to show my name in the "from" column instead of my wives name. The fix has so far alluded me and the experts at AT&T, so I'll just apologize and move on.
Ed Kukla wrote;
Mike
I agree with Bob. I currently trailer a 26' express cruiser for short vacation
trips. I get 2 mpg at 30 mph. <snip>
If I only intended to use my boat on inland waterways, I would agree. In fact I would probably get a trailerable houseboat if I only planned to cruised the Inland waterways. However, my primary application is ocean cursing and we decided that we want passagemaker capabilities. I like the idea of proving that it can be done in a trailerable boat without giving up too much comfort. On short passages, I'll probably run at ~9.7 knots most of the time, which will provide about 3.9 NM/gal. On long range passages, I'll slow down to 6.8 knots which will provide ~11.4 NM/gal and a 3,500 NM range (your mileage may vary, actual mileage will depend on wind, current, sea states, use of auxiliary systems and the use of paravanes and sails).
Good luck launching that big a craft. Try to make sure the boat sits low on the
trailer, it will float off sooner.
You are right, the biggest challenge with my design is launch and recovery. I have done a lot of research on this subject, including calling professional boat transporters and in where possible visiting launch ramps. I have verified that I can launch in Omaha during spring water levels and I can recover in Milwaukee even at current lake levels. I will try to minimize the water-line to ground distance. I will also have tongue support wheels that will allow me to lower the tongue and "cable" launch. Since my boat will set in a 4 degree nose down attitude on the trailer, the tongue height is the limiting factor. I'll also have a tongue extension as a back-up (you can't push on a cable).
You may need a hoist to launch, many launch
ramps only extend 30' or so into the water before you run off. <snip>
The trailer will be hoist compatible and hoist launch and recovery will be "plan B". Which reminds me does anyone know of a hoist launch capability on the upper Missouri river and in Milwaukee? Wet launch is "plan A" because I estimate that if I only used hoist launching I'd spend ~$5,000 per year on launch fees or ~$75,000 over a 15 years. Hoist launching once in awhile won't break the bank, so my primary concern is being able to wet launch on my local ramps and that hoist launch capability is available just encase.
Thanks for the response Ed, I appreciate the inputs.
Cheers;
Mike Schooley
Trailerable Trawler wannabe
Sorry I took so long to reply. I was trying to get my posts to show my name in the "from" column instead of my wives name. The fix has so far alluded me and the experts at AT&T, so I'll just apologize and move on.
> Ed Kukla wrote;
> Mike
> I agree with Bob. I currently trailer a 26' express cruiser for short vacation
> trips. I get 2 mpg at 30 mph. <snip>
If I only intended to use my boat on inland waterways, I would agree. In fact I would probably get a trailerable houseboat if I only planned to cruised the Inland waterways. However, my primary application is ocean cursing and we decided that we want passagemaker capabilities. I like the idea of proving that it can be done in a trailerable boat without giving up too much comfort. On short passages, I'll probably run at ~9.7 knots most of the time, which will provide about 3.9 NM/gal. On long range passages, I'll slow down to 6.8 knots which will provide ~11.4 NM/gal and a 3,500 NM range (your mileage may vary, actual mileage will depend on wind, current, sea states, use of auxiliary systems and the use of paravanes and sails).
> Good luck launching that big a craft. Try to make sure the boat sits low on the
> trailer, it will float off sooner.
You are right, the biggest challenge with my design is launch and recovery. I have done a lot of research on this subject, including calling professional boat transporters and in where possible visiting launch ramps. I have verified that I can launch in Omaha during spring water levels and I can recover in Milwaukee even at current lake levels. I will try to minimize the water-line to ground distance. I will also have tongue support wheels that will allow me to lower the tongue and "cable" launch. Since my boat will set in a 4 degree nose down attitude on the trailer, the tongue height is the limiting factor. I'll also have a tongue extension as a back-up (you can't push on a cable).
>You may need a hoist to launch, many launch
> ramps only extend 30' or so into the water before you run off. <snip>
The trailer will be hoist compatible and hoist launch and recovery will be "plan B". Which reminds me does anyone know of a hoist launch capability on the upper Missouri river and in Milwaukee? Wet launch is "plan A" because I estimate that if I only used hoist launching I'd spend ~$5,000 per year on launch fees or ~$75,000 over a 15 years. Hoist launching once in awhile won't break the bank, so my primary concern is being able to wet launch on my local ramps and that hoist launch capability is available just encase.
Thanks for the response Ed, I appreciate the inputs.
Cheers;
Mike Schooley
Trailerable Trawler wannabe
