New Cape Dory 27 owner and website member. I have recently purchased a 1980 Cape Dory 27. The Yanmar YSB8 has not ran in three years. Since we live 4 hours distant from where the boat is located, I am considering trailering the boat home for needed repairs and cleaning.
If anyone has the measurements required for trailering a Cape Dory 27, I would appreciate them. I have a double axle trailer that had been used to haul a MacGregor 26. This trailer has hydraulic brakes. I would like to move the supports close to where they need to be to reduce time on the travel lift.
Bill
Cape Dory 27 Trailer Measurments
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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tjr818
- Posts: 1851
- Joined: Oct 13th, '07, 13:42
- Location: Previously owned 1980 CD 27 Slainte, Hull #185. NO.1257949
Re: Cape Dory 27 Trailer Measurments
Congratulations on you new boat. We have a 1980 CD27 with that same YSM8. Ours had not been used in three years and that little Yanmar started on the first try.
Be careful Bill. Your new 27 weighs about three times what that MacGregor weighs. Be very sure that the trailer is rated for that much weight.
Be careful Bill. Your new 27 weighs about three times what that MacGregor weighs. Be very sure that the trailer is rated for that much weight.
Tim
Nonsuch 26 Ultra,
Previously, Sláinte a CD27
Nonsuch 26 Ultra,
Previously, Sláinte a CD27
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Duncan Maio
- Posts: 180
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 22:01
- Location: Cape Dory 27
Re: Cape Dory 27 Trailer Measurments
Congratulations on your purchase.
I have drawings and specifications for a trailer that were supplied by another owner who built his own trailer, but they are on the boat and I may not get down there for a bit. I will let you know if I can find them and send you a scan.
My recollection is that the trailer design called for a pair of 7,000 pound axles and a weight-distributing hitch setup. I also have some photos, but I can't say for sure they are from the same owner.
I have drawings and specifications for a trailer that were supplied by another owner who built his own trailer, but they are on the boat and I may not get down there for a bit. I will let you know if I can find them and send you a scan.
My recollection is that the trailer design called for a pair of 7,000 pound axles and a weight-distributing hitch setup. I also have some photos, but I can't say for sure they are from the same owner.
Duncan Maio
s/v Remedy
CD27 #37
Bristol, RI
s/v Remedy
CD27 #37
Bristol, RI
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Astronomertoo
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Nov 24th, '11, 08:53
- Location: 1975 CD25 239 Moon Shine
Re: Cape Dory 27 Trailer Measurments
Congratulations Bill,
Some of us will be very jealous of your 28. Just out of curiosity, what will you be using for a tow vehicle? I can offer a few things to consider that everyone would not be aware of, which would not be an issue for most people in setting the boat up on the trailer for local travel. Especially if you are going to put together a new or old trailer not designed to carry a 28 ft full keel sailboat that will be exposed to the incredible motions imposed upon it by our rough highways.
One thing you are considering how to secure for towing are the mast supports up on top of the boat, even for the relatively short drive. A simple cushion on the bow rail, cabin and stern rail is not enough support when it is being thrown up and down going down the highways. The lighter mast for my little 4000 pound 25 ft CD did not have a good custom saddle arrangement when I went up north to bring the boat back down south. It caused me numerous stops to re-tie down everything, trying to keep it from damaging the boat when oscillating side to side and up and down, even after using a lot of rope. The spreaders can have a mind of their own. I used an 10 ft tall ladder too often to get up and down on the boat to try more fixes. I used a lot of carpet, cushions, all my 3/8" and 1/2" ropee, and gray tape over tarps to secure and anti-chafe the wire rigging safely. I will devise and arrange a much better system before moving it on a long drive again. My trailer was one of the heavy northlanders in excellent condition, and had been inadequately fitted to the boat, as I learned on the trip. The trailer itself was major overkill for the 25, but even then the total towed weight was considerable and needed my size truck. Your rig will easily be several thousand pounds more mass than ours.
I can tell you the biggest danger on the highways for a tall trailer with a sailboat is the rough highways and narrow constructions zones all over our interstate system. In our case the side to side movement was horrendous, verging on scarry on many highways up north. The tall boat rig literally gets gets thrown around like crazy. And if your keel is not totally immobilized/blocked in a support channel it WILL move side to side, which can move the bow off center, and the boat will be moving on the side supports. Take your time on set up. Also be sure to not allow the rudder to be loaded with any weight on the trailer. And the steel upright supports can not be allowed to lower by themselves leaving the boat loose. The quick lane shifts and uneven lane work levels are bad enough, which can make a sailboat rig really do a lot of rocking and rolling at a fast rate in the trailer. The front stop is very important for your safety. Everything needs to be way-tight, and with big binder straps much stronger than one might think compared to a normal local tow near home. Low bridges also need to be considered, and you need to know your real clearance. Also make sure the lead acid batteries are tight and will not move during travel.
We regularly tow our 19,000 pound 5th wheel with our 2013 GM 3500 diesel dually, which is an easy piece of cake compared to the nail biter of pulling the 25ft sailboat and trailer rig down south from CT to FL for 2 very long days. Very good, adjusted trailer brakes are very important, even with our rig.
Just cautioning, and even though you have a short trip, be safe, be very prepared for a LOT of motion, and plan for daylight only travel if possible. If you have an easy trip it will be mostly because you were prepared, and will enjoy your nice CD for many years to come.
Best wishes.
BobC
Moon Shine
Some of us will be very jealous of your 28. Just out of curiosity, what will you be using for a tow vehicle? I can offer a few things to consider that everyone would not be aware of, which would not be an issue for most people in setting the boat up on the trailer for local travel. Especially if you are going to put together a new or old trailer not designed to carry a 28 ft full keel sailboat that will be exposed to the incredible motions imposed upon it by our rough highways.
One thing you are considering how to secure for towing are the mast supports up on top of the boat, even for the relatively short drive. A simple cushion on the bow rail, cabin and stern rail is not enough support when it is being thrown up and down going down the highways. The lighter mast for my little 4000 pound 25 ft CD did not have a good custom saddle arrangement when I went up north to bring the boat back down south. It caused me numerous stops to re-tie down everything, trying to keep it from damaging the boat when oscillating side to side and up and down, even after using a lot of rope. The spreaders can have a mind of their own. I used an 10 ft tall ladder too often to get up and down on the boat to try more fixes. I used a lot of carpet, cushions, all my 3/8" and 1/2" ropee, and gray tape over tarps to secure and anti-chafe the wire rigging safely. I will devise and arrange a much better system before moving it on a long drive again. My trailer was one of the heavy northlanders in excellent condition, and had been inadequately fitted to the boat, as I learned on the trip. The trailer itself was major overkill for the 25, but even then the total towed weight was considerable and needed my size truck. Your rig will easily be several thousand pounds more mass than ours.
I can tell you the biggest danger on the highways for a tall trailer with a sailboat is the rough highways and narrow constructions zones all over our interstate system. In our case the side to side movement was horrendous, verging on scarry on many highways up north. The tall boat rig literally gets gets thrown around like crazy. And if your keel is not totally immobilized/blocked in a support channel it WILL move side to side, which can move the bow off center, and the boat will be moving on the side supports. Take your time on set up. Also be sure to not allow the rudder to be loaded with any weight on the trailer. And the steel upright supports can not be allowed to lower by themselves leaving the boat loose. The quick lane shifts and uneven lane work levels are bad enough, which can make a sailboat rig really do a lot of rocking and rolling at a fast rate in the trailer. The front stop is very important for your safety. Everything needs to be way-tight, and with big binder straps much stronger than one might think compared to a normal local tow near home. Low bridges also need to be considered, and you need to know your real clearance. Also make sure the lead acid batteries are tight and will not move during travel.
We regularly tow our 19,000 pound 5th wheel with our 2013 GM 3500 diesel dually, which is an easy piece of cake compared to the nail biter of pulling the 25ft sailboat and trailer rig down south from CT to FL for 2 very long days. Very good, adjusted trailer brakes are very important, even with our rig.
Just cautioning, and even though you have a short trip, be safe, be very prepared for a LOT of motion, and plan for daylight only travel if possible. If you have an easy trip it will be mostly because you were prepared, and will enjoy your nice CD for many years to come.
Best wishes.
BobC
Moon Shine
BobC
Citrus Springs, Florida
Citrus Springs, Florida
Re: Cape Dory 27 Trailer Measurments
where are you located ? i have a CD27 on a trailer here in Cape Coral you want to come by and look at it for the sake of getting measurementssailor4you wrote:New Cape Dory 27 owner and website member. I have recently purchased a 1980 Cape Dory 27. The Yanmar YSB8 has not ran in three years. Since we live 4 hours distant from where the boat is located, I am considering trailering the boat home for needed repairs and cleaning.
If anyone has the measurements required for trailering a Cape Dory 27, I would appreciate them. I have a double axle trailer that had been used to haul a MacGregor 26. This trailer has hydraulic brakes. I would like to move the supports close to where they need to be to reduce time on the travel lift.
Bill
John Krystyniak
SV Loki
CD27 #256
SV Loki
CD27 #256
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sailor4you
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Jun 6th, '15, 23:39
Re: Cape Dory 27 Trailer Measurments
I'm sorry to those who have posted to my question on trailer measurements for the Cape Dory 27. I thought I would get a message sent to my email box when a reply was given. Apparently I was wrong.
Thank you for all the helpful information you have given. I am located in Sanford, North Carolina, so visiting Florida to take measurements and photos is out of the question, but thank you for the invite, Loki. My towing vehicle that Astronomertoo was inquiring about is a Dodge Ram 3500 dually, with a 5.9 L. Cummings Diesel engine. Plenty of truck for this purpose but checking the sailboat axles is a GREAT idea!
Duncan Maio, if you still have those measurements available I could sure use them. Please PM me at my screen name at hotmail dot com.
Thank you for all the helpful information you have given. I am located in Sanford, North Carolina, so visiting Florida to take measurements and photos is out of the question, but thank you for the invite, Loki. My towing vehicle that Astronomertoo was inquiring about is a Dodge Ram 3500 dually, with a 5.9 L. Cummings Diesel engine. Plenty of truck for this purpose but checking the sailboat axles is a GREAT idea!
Duncan Maio, if you still have those measurements available I could sure use them. Please PM me at my screen name at hotmail dot com.