double stacking trailer

[chris]

I'm thinking of getting a double stacking trailer. 14ft boats, 5'6" max beam.
Does anyone have experience or advice please?
I like the ones that lower the top deck with a winch but the illustrations I see show the boats so far back. Looks as if the bows only come to about 4ft behind the tow hitch with half (or even more) of the boat unsupported at the back. I have a tight corner to negotiate at home and that would make it difficult. Some of the fixed ones look better but it would take more than two people to load the top one.
So I can't decide if this is a good route to go. Taking two boats to events would be good and also the masts could line up above the camper van roof then. But I see other problems! Any thoughts much appreciated.
Chris

[neil]

I have a Mersea double stacker with a winchable top deck. I can measure the distance back from the tow hitch if you want me to. As they are designed for boats on launching trolleys it's the trolley that supports the boat, has with any combi trailer.

It's a solid piece of engineering, not cheap even when they do rarely come up second hand. Mine was bought by the first owner for a pair of wayfarers and I've used it for Finns.

[chris]

Yes please Neil. The Mersea one I have been looking at is CDSL 250 which I gather goes from a Solo to GP14 which should be fine. Is there any adlustment in length available?

[neil]

You'll find that the lower deck usually has an movable socket for taking launching trolleys of different lengths, 255 to 275 on mine.

The top deck on mine is of fixed length, though I plan to make this adjustable if/when I get back into sailing

I think mine is the CDSL 275 as there's a difference between Mersea and West Mersea trailers - just seen the price fo a new one, not much change from £1750

It does tow like a dream, and Anne was able to easily winch the top deck with a fully loaded Finn on top

[scorpion_1925]

My parents have a fixed top deck west mersea that they picked up second hand, we used it last year for the scorpion nationals and it to tows like a dream, only took 5 to lift the top boa on and off even after a weeks tiring racing

[chris]

I went to look at a second hand one for sale in Portland but it was a bit on the large size really and fized top deck. I have used one, courtesy of What a Lark Removals (AKA Pat 'N Sandy) where the top lowers down with a winch. Brilliant idea as instead of five to lift the boat up, Lois could load up on her own! ...well nearly.
Still thinking...

[roger]

I used Pat and Sandys for the Hornet Nats last year. I loaded both boats on my own with no problems( Although someone had chained their bike to the lowered top deck so was airborn when they came back to collect it). .
The only problem with that one is it is very towbar heavy. Sandy was talking about making one himself with modifications.

[jpa_wfsc]

Has anyone ever considered a tandem trailer - e.g. a glider chassis with the box removed?

[roger]

that definitely wont fit round the corner at Chris` house.

Nice idea though a boat is probably a bit heavier than a glider

[Nessa]

Her indoors is contemplating the design of a trailer that will double as a trailer-tent caravan sort of thing.

I frequently borrow a very adjustable West Mersea trailer which is sturdy, tows well and is really versatile. I have used others, but this is my favourite.

[Ed]

Well, moving off the topic....as our threads do tend to do...

Pat reminded me with her mention of glider trailers.

The german IC sailors put their canoes inside long thin box trailers, trolley and all. Then when they get to the regatta, they take out the boat, throw in a mattress and sleep in the trailer.

I thought this was pretty cool. Not least of all coz the boat can easily be kept dry and out the sun the whole year around.

eib

[Nessa]

Yep, that's what she's thinking for the contender.....but I think there might be a kitchen sink in the plan too!

[Michael Brigg]

The main difficulty with a tandem trailer would be if you wanted to go abroad.

The ferries and Eurotunnel charge by length...alot!

Hence the advantage of double stacking.

...provided of course that you don't exceed 2metres; ...but height still costs less than length.

Talking of ferries, and in the interest of thread drift, I discovered a very good tip for the night ferry.

Chat up the Drink manager in the duty free shop, and show an interest in his whiskies.

Play your cards well and you can be treated to a tasting

[Rupert]

Talking of ferries, and in the interest of thread drift, I discovered a very good tip for the night ferry.

Chat up the Drink manager in the duty free shop, and show an interest in his whiskies.

Play your cards well and you can be treated to a tasting

This is worrying on just SO many levels...

[Rupert]

I have wondered about buying on old caravan, ripping the innereds out, putting a flap down door on the back, a high bed in it and sliding the boat in to get to events. Not sure it would be strong enough for 2, though, and I think the floor would need beefing up. There is a German company makes a specialist trailer like this.

Main snag - you have a caravan to store when not using it...