Trailing your Wayfarer Richard Seabrook (channelling several others …) Background: not that experienced at trailing Always felt intimidated by prospect Suggested to Jeremy Norman that this would be a good topic - effectively volunteered to do a presentation! Help from many sources

Format of presentation Run through in classroom, 20 minutes, then Outside under gazebo, 20 minutes Document available with text and links to references. Will attempt to answer my questions … Two checklists: Preparation and What to carry

Questions I wanted answered: What sort of car do I need? Are covers worth it? What regulations must I obey? New(ish) EU trailer regs? Does the mast need to be supported in the middle? What are the insurance implications? How do you reverse with a hitched tow? What speed limits apply? What service checks should I carry out on the roadbase? How does towing alter driving and fuel consumption? How to stow mast and boom for towing? Lighting bar? What spares do I need to carry? How to attach boat and launching trolley to road base? What tricks are there for loading up single-handed? Where can I get more information (e.g. trailing abroad)?

The car The car: manual preferred, otherwise more-or-less anything Total trailed weight under 200 kgs ~ 3 people

Regulatory framework - 1 Complicated - sources inconsistent Fundamentally EU Directive 2007/46/EC Some aspects only effective from October 2014 Trailer is a vehicle in its own right - type approval Lighting bar regulated - manufacturer-specific kits - indicator warning, fog lamp Should have side markings facing forwards EU regulations result in lighting bar too low and therefore at risk of damage

Regulatory framework - 2 Maximum weights - Wayfarer well within limits - see also car manual Driving licence restrictions and EU roadworthiness directive don’t apply to our sort of weight (below 750 kg) Overhangs (e.g. mast); up to a metre, just need a flag Regs widely ignored, not enforced

Insurance, speed limits Speak to your car and boat insurers Generally towing is third party risk on driver’s policy Damage to boat covered by boat policy Maximum speed 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. elsewhere 50mph (unless lower ...) Trailers not permitted in outside lane of motorways.

How is driving altered by towing? Much longer vehicle - overtaking becomes trickier Significantly heavier - allow longer braking distance Acceleration reduced - longer to overtake - help from lorries Rear vision restricted Always check the lighting bar is working before setting off More tiring = more frequent stops Lower speed + stops = significantly longer journey times

Fuel consumption What’s the experience?

Spares Spare wheel for road base Wheel brace to fit road base wheels Rag Spare light bulbs for lighting bar Wiring diagram for lighting bar take off Spare hub, set of side cutters, spare split pin Spare wheel for road base At least one - someone made me paranoid and now I carry two Wheel brace to fit road base wheels More accessible than car brace? Not necessarily the same size Rag For wiping hands after wheel change Spare light bulbs for lighting bar Legal requirement in some countries? Wiring diagram for lighting bar take off Common error to drive off with trailer unhitched but lighting bar still attached wiring gets ripped apart need diagram to repair correctly

Loading single-handed Not easy! Ideally, match height of launching trolley to roadbase with little ramps Alternatively, prop boat and trolley up and manoeuvre roadbase under

Covers Hartleys always use covers Accumulation of diesel waste on hull but are moving new boats Accumulation of diesel waste on hull Security of contents Fuel efficiency? Fuel costs roughly 10p a mile. Cover costs roughly £100 At 10% efficiency improvement, break even is 10,000 miles

Support mast - middle? Not necessary But - restrict mast to dampen out flexing Over cover prevents support in middle

Reversing with hitched tow Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move your hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to your right. Always back up slowly, and, if possible, have someone to guide you.

Servicing the roadbase Main concern is wheel bearings Remove, grease and replace Not too tight, not too loose Most common fault thought to be burst tyres Tyres grow old doing nothing No older than 7 years in Germany Speak Ansis for more information

Stowing mast, boom and lighting bar So many options! See examples in dinghy park - photograph. Weight of mast should rest on transom. Plus weight of foresail and spar? Boom padded, tucked under foredeck. Lighting bar can hang off rudder pintle and gudgeon.

Fixing to roadbase Trailer plank: shaped ends covered to protect gel coat. Longer than boat is wide so strap kept away from hull. Hull only pushed straight down. Don’t clamp boat too tightly to road base Weight must be on keel. Boat should rock slightly. CRITICAL ISSUE Side supports must push on chines where hull is strongest. Never under the bilge keels, or may separate stringers from hull. Join boat to roadbase in case of decoupling Adapted from a Ton Jaspers (W10445 - Swiebertje) posting in the Forum

Other issues Wooden boats are more sensitive than glass-fibre might want to soften tyres slightly - controversial point Towing ball - dry or greased?

More information RYA directs members to the AA for overseas advice Wayfarer Association forum - searching not easy Web - abundant information Trailer manufacturers List of sources in accompanying document