Trailer padding

[doorstop]

I'm in the process of rebulding the trailer for my sons' "145" sailing dinghy. The old arrangement consisted of a mixture of rollers and ancient carpet covered pads which caused problems, the rollers were useless when retrieving and the pads were too small. The new trailer setup has three cradles, two of which are the full boat width and the forward one is over half the width.
Question; what is the best "padding" to put put on the cradles to minimise the abrasion on the hulls painted surface?

[TomRobb]

I've used foam-backed outdoor carpet (and replace it when it gets too worn.) If you float on-off instead of dragging it there oughtn't be all that much abrasion.

[NormMessinger]

I have no basis for comparison but I figured regular boat bunk carpet was made for that purpose for a reason so I ordered out a batch from Hamilton Marine to put under Prairie Islander. The local suppy was pretty pricy but Ithought HM was reasonable.

--Norm

[doorstop]

Thank you Gentlemen.
Floating on or even lifting her on are the usual, the abrasion seems to occur mainly while on the trailer to and from the briny.
"Boat bunk", Norm? By "Bunk" I assume you are not meaning nautically carpeted sleeping accomodation but 'trailer parking on' apparatus... I have never heard of it before and your guys are probably a bit far for me to come over in the ute to pick it up but if I can find "Australianese" for the material I shall enquire at my boat shop in Geelong on Tuesday.
Thank you again.

[NormMessinger]

My apologies, Chris. I was not paying attention to geography. The trailer bunk boards are those planks, covered with a man made carpet fabric (polyethylene??) that seems to be highly resistant to abrasion. It must be fairly slick, too, judging from the stories about boats sliding off the trailer as it backs down the ramp.

--Norm

[doorstop]

Norm, no apologies needed!!! thank you very much indeed, I just wish the ute could make it across, I'd collect Mike and Skuthorp on way over... smile.gif
4winds marine in Geelong on Tuesday, "bunk bedding please shop person!" ;)

[Mike Field]

Chris, while you're making paddle-wheels for that Goolwa boat of yours, why not make four more for the ute? Make them small, as replacements for the road-wheels, Then all we'd have to do would be to waterproof the tray somehow and we could all go and visit Norm. (The ute is 4WD, isn't it?)

[doorstop]

:D Yep she sure is Mike, a good ole country boy like me as sure as tooting needs a 4WD... hmm.. a 4PD??

[skuthorp]

Hey!, I just found this stream. How about a ketch rigged VW combi van. I seem to remember they floated quite well.

[doorstop]

And I thought you were the sensible one of the crew Jeff, obviously it would be overpowered!

By the way, I scored a nice new length of 8" stove flue today, instant smokestack for the paddle tug thingy. Oh, and "Rufus Gutz" got outvoted......

[Mike Field]

In favour of what?