Hi Peter, Here is what I've been told by a large Marine repair center in Alameda, CA: On a full keel craft like Nor'Sea 27, PFC Flicka, etc. There should be 50 to 60 percent of the boats weight supported on/by the keel, with the balance supported by the bunks. Also mentioned is the weight of a full keel craft required this type of placement as they are typically "heavy". There are at least two people on the list that have had damage done to the centerboard by allowing them to be weighted while on their trailers. I know one solution was to add a center bunk support so the boat would rest solely on the bunks without the centerboard touching the frame or trough on the trailer. This was done on an M17. I looked into the possibility of creating a groove for the CB (my M17) to fit into when she was winched onto the trailer. However, she wouldn't land the same way twice, making that a bad idea or at least a difficult engineering idea. I also wondered why the CB had to protrude past the keel on either the 15 or the 17. I never asked the builders so that never was answered. If when raised, the CB was flush with the keel housing, it would eliminate the discussion. So, if the CB hits the trailer keel trough, it seems that it should be lifted enough to clear, so as no damage would be done to pivot pin or CB pivot hole. The M15 with its light weight should easily be supported by the bunk boards/bunk supports and I would think that would be the preferred way, so as to eliminate the possibility of CB damage. I would have Emailed you off list, but I think the possibility of the CB damage should either be discussed, overruled or solved. Bill On 6/21/06, Peter Deffenbacher <pwdeffen@easystreet.com> wrote:
Hello All,
My question is, should the Centerboard/Keel rest on the trailer bunk? I have read that Jerry said 50% of the boats weight can be on the keel trailer bunk and is a good standard. I have also heard story's of the trailer beating the keel/centerboard joints apart on rough roads on other boats when the keel sat on the trailer bunk. When I received my M15 from Bob, it was set for 1 inch off the Trailer Buck. I would also like to make the boat as low as possible on the trailer for my garage. What do other M15 owners recommend? Thanks in advance for any reply!
Peter Deffenbacher Peanut M15
Email me off list at: pwdeffen@easystreet.com