I've got a second iteration of my first one in my head...but regretfully, no sketches. It consists of a flip down rear rack and mast support that hinges on the rear cross bar and might even include a locking system on the hinge (locking vertical). Two members attach to the trailer forward of the rear and hinge up to be bolted in place with some speed knobs.
The front rack would be completely welded (as was my last one) and rest on the cross member just in front of the beam of the lower boat. It too would have a brace that goes rearward to bolt to the trailer to give it some fore/aft stability but that brace would be welded to the doublestack rack and be bolted semi-permanently in place.
I've seen some designs that have a box built around the lower boat with a diagonal cross member between the top and the bottom. I like that solution because it gives you complete access to the lower boat...but, the tradeoff is that it makes it forever difficult to get to the trailer boxes.
If you use strong enough material, you shouldn't need diagonal bracing. You may want to use gussets, but I've seen some strong trailers without that as well. The tradeoff is weight, of course.
The outside box idea is great if you want to sail the bottom boat more often, especially if you routinely store two boats on the trailer.
Can't wait until my kids are old enough to need a doublestack!!!
My trailer set up you can remove the bottom boat without removing the top boat. You do however need to take the masts off as the rear support blocks the boat in.
Richard Vilvens Brand Ambassador PSA Capricorn USA R.Vilvens@yahoo.com Fairfield, Ca F-18 5150
This is the poor mans triple stack trailer, highly not recommended, extremely slow to pack and reassemble. but that is what happens when you buy two boats at a national titles. It got us home but really didn't like it!
This is the poor mans triple stack trailer, highly not recommended, extremely slow to pack and reassemble. but that is what happens when you buy two boats at a national titles. It got us home but really didn't like it!
Used motorcycle tires work as good between-boat pads in a pinch. I've seen some a-caters do that before.
I've done the 2x4 wrapped in beach towels trick before, and it works well. But, the OP is talking about designing (or redesigning) a real double stack trailer.
One other thing to consider is flexibility in the design to accommodate a third boat. Not something that's done every day, but gives you the option to buy a new boat, help with a sale delivery, get another boat to a big regatta, etc. Sort of like us with the single trailers jury rigging up a double stack, you could plan ahead to turn your double into a triple on demand.
Building a rack on the front that could carry a set of cat-trax to use as cross bars has been on my list for a while now. I think that 2 separate stands in the back could support another set of trax for the 2nd boat. I think that it would work well enough, if you were dedicated double stacking most of your trips, then you would probably want an option that didn't lock in the lower boat.
Re: Double stack designs
[Re: bacho]
#269484 02/18/1409:30 AM02/18/1409:30 AM
Building a rack on the front that could carry a set of cat-trax to use as cross bars has been on my list for a while now. I think that 2 separate stands in the back could support another set of trax for the 2nd boat. I think that it would work well enough, if you were dedicated double stacking most of your trips, then you would probably want an option that didn't lock in the lower boat.
I would be worried about the strength of the catrax for the front part since the 80% of the boat weight is carried there and it sees considerably higher cycle loading while on the trailer. But, that is a really interesting idea for the rear cradle and one I might steal. My trailer is already configured with uprights to store my cat-trax so if I'm double stacking, I only need to transport one extra set. Interesting thought. It might lead to needing extra height to clear the wheels...or maybe not.
Jake Kohl
Re: Double stack designs
[Re: Jake]
#269487 02/18/1409:49 AM02/18/1409:49 AM
I've got a second iteration of my first one in my head...but regretfully, no sketches. It consists of a flip down rear rack and mast support that hinges on the rear cross bar and might even include a locking system on the hinge (locking vertical). Two members attach to the trailer forward of the rear and hinge up to be bolted in place with some speed knobs.
The front rack would be completely welded (as was my last one) and rest on the cross member just in front of the beam of the lower boat. It too would have a brace that goes rearward to bolt to the trailer to give it some fore/aft stability but that brace would be welded to the doublestack rack and be bolted semi-permanently in place.
I've seen some designs that have a box built around the lower boat with a diagonal cross member between the top and the bottom. I like that solution because it gives you complete access to the lower boat...but, the tradeoff is that it makes it forever difficult to get to the trailer boxes.
Can you make the centerline sailbox slide (on rollers like a drawer) out behind the trailer? Maybe a swing-down wheel to support the aft end while it's extended?
Then you might get to the sailbox without moving any boats (not sure if you'd ever need to do that but since we're brainstorming....)
This is a popular double stack trailer we use over here. The top hull supports are removable when you are just using one boat, and the box is big enough to fit a complete set of gear for two boats.
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