And It’s All Coming Together
I have been building the CLC Trimaran sail rig for my CLC Mill creek 16.5 kayak. Problem #1: I am 61 yrs old and can’t lift my kayak up onto to roof rack any more, solution: modify a harbor freight trailer to hold the kayak. I bought a used Harbor Freight trailer (the $200 version) from a friend for $50, first I had to replace the tongue, a trip to the local steel supplier for a 12 ‘ by 2.5” square tube took care of that.
One problem (challenge) at a time and it’s all coming together.
The first big challenge: CLC’s instructions say to lay everything out on the beach and assemble, then slide it into the water. My goal (challenge) is make the trailer the assembly point, assembled the trimaran is 12’ wide, but it must be 8’ or under to take on the road. I needed to build slide outs to hold the AMA’s, close in for transport, then slide out for assembly, back to the steel shop. I started with 4-4’ lengths of square tubing 3/4” OD, and 4 of ¾” ID. My friend, Mike, who owns a welder, welded weld the larger tubes in 2 bundles of 2 and then some tabs to bolt it together onto the trailer frame.
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The ¾” tubes slide in and out, a little grease helps a lot. Next came the vertical supports, using some plywood scrap from around the shop, I cut notches to fit the bottom of the AMA’s a little large, later I will cover then with a pool noodle and some indoor/outdoor carpet from the big orange store. The really tricky part was getting everything in position for assembly, when extended it should hold the AMA’s in the correct position to mount the AKA’s. But first, back to the steel shop, I was thinking the spread was 10 ft. it turned out to be 12 ft., my ¾” OD tubes need to be around 6’.
I should have called someone for help, but I was determined to do as much by myself as I could. (Note to self: don’t let pride get in the way of success.) So, the mounting the AKA’s to the kayak on the trailer then clamping the vertical supports turned out to a bigger problem that I envisioned. A LOT of trial and error got finally things close enough.
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By using Flat head cap screws and counter boring the steel tubes to allow the screw heads to be flush and slide past the adjacent tubes, I mounted the vertical supports. Everything was looking good but my vertical supports were very wobbly relying only the square tubing to keep them upright. I decided they needed some sort of bracing, but it couldn’t get in the way of the sliding action. It took a few days to figure it out, but what I came up with was “elegant”. I built two boxes out of some plywood scraps. They would provide support and give me storage for extra things (tie downs, tools, a few spare parts) for trailering and assembly. The doors stop a few inches short of the length to clear the foam pads, where I made and mounted some handles. The lids had to be cut lengthwise to clear the AMA on the cradles. I installed some blocks that pivot under the end caps to lock the first door and then cabinet latches under the second door which pivot under the first door. The last thing I want is load my boat for the trip home only to discover someone stole my tie downs and tools. There are handles along the side and the top. I just grab the side handles and lift and they slide in and out with ease.
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I finally got a chance to test everything last Saturday at Winchester lake.
It tracked straight and true down the highway and once at the top of the ramp, my support guy, Bob, (I learned a long, long time ago, on a test run its good to have a friend along for extra help if needed) and I assembled everything in just a few minutes (would have been quicker but this was his first time seeing it assembled) and took her out for maiden voyage with the AMA’s attached. It was easy to launch and recovery was just as easy. After launching, I slid the supports back in for parking. Then once down the ramp, they slide back out easily for recovery. I think the best part for me was all the people telling us how beautiful she is and asking if I built her myself. Is she perfect? No, but don’t tell anyone, only I see the mistakes.
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I just ordered some spring pull pins from McMaster-Carr to lock the slides in both positions in or out. Mike has agreed to weld them on for me. I have promised to build a mouse boat for his son, once all this is done. I get to build another boat and don’t have to worry about what to do with it once built, a win for everyone. Once Bob, Mike and I get done testing the mouse boat we’ll might even let the boy have it.
One problem (challenge) at a time and it’s all coming together. Right now the AKA’s get carried on my roof rack. Next challenge to carry everything (including the mast and boom) on the trailer. It will be completely self-contained, just hook up to my van and go. The weekend is coming and that’s on my to-do list.
There is Nothing
Nothing, half as much worth doing,
Living a life on the river or lake,
Messing about in boats! -The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
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