CD26 #52

[Tim Mertinooke]

I am the new caretaker of this fine vessel. She's currently located in Old Greenwich, CT and will be sailed to Newburyport, MA this June by my 14-year son and I. Since selling my Typhoon back in 2007, I have had a Pearson Ariel, Fuji 32 ketch, and a Kenner Privateer 26. All wonderful boats, but like a boomerang I came back to a Cape Dory. This one is in remarkable shape and is a keeper. She will live during the off season on a new Triad Trailer in the Berkshires.

[Jim Walsh]

I agree, that's a remarkable looking CD26 you have there. Spending the off season in the Berkshires means you run the risk of having to chase a bear out of the main salon in the spring

[Sea Hunt Video]

She will live during the off season on a new Triad Trailer in the Berkshires.

Tim:

Small world. I was born in Pittsfield. Where will CD 26 be I recently purchased a Triad Trailer for my CD 25D. Triad is an excellent company; excellent product; quality

[Tim Mertinooke]

Lee, MA.

[Ken Textor]

Nice looking CD 26, Tim. I too came back to a CD boat after adventures elsewhere. Also ended up with a CD 26. Out of curiosity, what type of vehicle do you plan to use to haul your boat to the Berkshires?

Ken

[Tim Mertinooke]

The trailer weighs a little over one ton, the boat will be in the three ton range. That puts the combined weight somewhere between #8,000-#9000 pounds. I will use a friend's F-250 this coming year, but plan on buying a Tundra within a couple years. They are rated for #10,000 with just the driver in the truck which is adequate. A 1/2 ton might not be ideal compared to a 3/4 or full ton truck, but it will certainly be safe, legal, and well within the designed towing specs of the vehicle.

[Bob Lascelles]

Hi Tim,
Great looking CD26, congratulations I think your idea about towing with a Tundra is good. I towed my CD25D back to Maine from Duluth, MN with a Tundra and had no problems (just 8mpg) and I tow it with my Tundra several times a year without any problems. If you do decide to tow your boat with a Tundra, I suggest investing in a load leveling/anti sway hitch. The Tundra can handle towing a 10,000lb trailer, but I think the standard hitch is only rated for 500lb tongue weight. I think the Reese hitch I have is rated for 800lb or 1000lb tongue weight and 10,000lb trailer weight. The hitch keeps everything on the level and in control. Our boats sit pretty high on a trailer, I wouldn't tow on the highway with the Tundra without the anti sway hitch, it avoids white knuckles when getting passed by those tractor trailers!

[Tim Mertinooke]

Thanks for that good advice, Bob.

[Astronomertoo]

Hi Tim,
Great looking CD26, congratulations I think your idea about towing with a Tundra is good. I towed my CD25D back to Maine from Duluth, MN with a Tundra and had no problems (just 8mpg) and I tow it with my Tundra several times a year without any problems. If you do decide to tow your boat with a Tundra, I suggest investing in a load leveling/anti sway hitch. The Tundra can handle towing a 10,000lb trailer, but I think the standard hitch is only rated for 500lb tongue weight. I think the Reese hitch I have is rated for 800lb or 1000lb tongue weight and 10,000lb trailer weight. The hitch keeps everything on the level and in control. Our boats sit pretty high on a trailer, I wouldn't tow on the highway with the Tundra without the anti sway hitch, it avoids white knuckles when getting passed by those tractor trailers!

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Tim, Bob L here is correct. A half ton truck is not safe for the long journey. Keep in mind that towing a large load like a ful keel sailboat, even just a 26 ft, will put unusual stresses on your truck brakes, suspension and transmission while travelling level, not even taking into account the rough undulating highway roads in this country. A 3/4 ton truck should be minimal, and a heavier drivetrain will be appreciated. Gas engines and normal gears designed for empty load mpg are tough to tow with, and will be tough on the tranny. Keep in mind the center of gravity of the mass in the boat on the trailer is likely as high as the top of the truck bed, and imagine throwing that side to side and heave it up and down every couple of seconds, and you will have a better idea of what some of that drive will be like. A short trip in your home area would be easy. A long road trip across our interstates with big track traffic is a whole new animal.
Bob is correct, if you only have a 4 wheel vehicle you must have a class 4 equalizer hitch, a 10,000 pound ball and a sway control device to be safe for yourself, and the other cars around you. Your load will be trying to drag you off the road. The boat trailer should have all brakes adjusted, the tires in date and set to full rated pressure, the mast very well supported and tied down on top, and the spreaders secure so they can not gouge the decks.
We regularly tow a 20,000 pound 40 ft Mobile Suite 5th wheel RV around the country with our Duramax dually, and towing our 25 ft CD from CT to our home in Florida was much tougher. The roads were terrible. We stopped several times to re-tie the mast. But it was a safe trip and we got similar mileage of 12.6. I helped another friend with a new 3/4 ton hemi, who got 8.5 mpg towing his CD25 down here from Virginia.
The biggest challenge is to be safe, and do not break your beautiful boat.
Best wishes.

[Tim Mertinooke]

Much appreciated Bob, thanks!