Double staking Lasers on Kitty Hawk Trailer

L

LarsenCanvas

Guest
I would like to stake two lasers on a Kitty Hawk trailer. In between to two boats I would like to build a structure to hold the mast sections and boom, plus possibly additional storage. The structure between the boats would make it easy to tie down the top laser as well has cushoin both boat. Does anyone know if the Stainless version of the Kitty Hawk trailer will support two boat? Has any one built a structure similar to what I am talking about. If so do you have pictures or recommendations on how I should build this platform between the two lasers.
 
APS sells a 2-laser stacking kit. My dad and I bought it. I works out great. You put all the spars in between the boats in holes for each different spar. The top boat is deck down and the bottom boat is deck up, like it is on a trailer. We have used the system on his kitty hawk and my modified Trailex sunfish trailer.
 
LarsenCanvas said:
I would like to stake two lasers on a Kitty Hawk trailer. In between to two boats I would like to build a structure to hold the mast sections and boom, plus possibly additional storage. The structure between the boats would make it easy to tie down the top laser as well has cushoin both boat. Does anyone know if the Stainless version of the Kitty Hawk trailer will support two boat? Has any one built a structure similar to what I am talking about. If so do you have pictures or recommendations on how I should build this platform between the two lasers.
Click to expand...


No problem hauling two Lasers on a Kitty Hawk, I have done it for years and in fact the added weight helps the trailer stay on the ground at faster speeds. Kitty Hawk actually makes a cradle kit of pre-cut wood parts that glue up and work pretty slick, give them a call.
 
I was part of the earlier thread about stacking deck to deck with spars between.

In the winter Laser Sailer, the Vanguard guy says the most common cause of deck joint and hull cracking is high speed towing. My question is, is this because of bouncing on the supports or the weight on the hull lip? Would two boats make the weight problem worse, or would less trailer bounce mean less pounding on the bottom hull?

Also, has anyone tried a little neoprene or other padding on the kitty hawk supports under the deck?

Thanks
Mike
 
I'll re-read that article again, but I'm 99% sure he was talking about on the water high speed towing.
 
You're right

Oh...I think you're right. I read that line as "trailer" towing. It's in the Spring 05 LS. I have heard that about water towing, and not to use the bow eye.

Well, that makes me feel better about long distance towing! Big water is a long drive for us, and I'd like to get a cheaper Laser for my sons to learn on. We have a pivoting Kitty Hawk. Good idea to put some cushion on the supports?

Thanks
 
Yes,
They are referring to on the water high speed towing... when you remove your main sheet and tie it around the base of the mast for a quick ride in or out to the race course. Several Lasers are linked together and then towed by one boat. The chop can give a very brutal beating to the bottom of the hull when being towed behind a motor boat at 15-20 knots...
Regards,
Fishingmickey,
150087/181157
 
I had assume it to mean highway towing also. It would make sense that both put wear on the hull. I would think having the boat upside down on a trailer would minimize wear from highway towing.
 
fishingmickey said:
The chop can give a very brutal beating to the bottom of the hull when being towed behind a motor boat at 15-20 knots...
Regards,
Fishingmickey,
150087/181157
Click to expand...
We were towed off Flathead Lake this summer with 8 boats in two strings. The Comm Boat guy was very careful and just crawled along.

torrid:
"I would think having the boat upside down on a trailer would minimize wear from highway towing."

If it's upside down on the strong part of the deck, I think you're right. My concern with the KH is the weight of two boats and spars supported by the gunnels of the bottom boat long term, although it may ride better with less bounce. I'm thinking of switching the wheels to 12" as well. That would up the weight limit, rolling smoothness, and bearing life I would think.
Thanks for the input everyone.
 
So what do you think are the strongest parts of the deck? Is right behind the cockpit (in front of the traveller cleat) and right in front of the centerboard trunk the strongest parts? If not what do you think are the strongest places to place the two different supports of two boats can be towed deck to deck on a Kitty Hawk trailer?
 
LarsenCanvas said:
I would like to stake two lasers on a Kitty Hawk trailer. In between to two boats I would like to build a structure to hold the mast sections and boom, plus possibly additional storage. The structure between the boats would make it easy to tie down the top laser as well has cushoin both boat. Does anyone know if the Stainless version of the Kitty Hawk trailer will support two boat? Has any one built a structure similar to what I am talking about. If so do you have pictures or recommendations on how I should build this platform between the two lasers.
Click to expand...

APS sells a kit to do exactly this...for roughly $90 if I recall. I have a galvanized KH trailer and clamshell 2 boats using high density foam blocks (the ones I have are sold for carrying Kayaks on a Thule type rack. Each block is roughly 4" x 8" x 12". One block on each deck aligned with where the lower boat sits on the trailer and one block forward of the mast step. This solution is much cheaper but you need to carry spars in or on your car.
 
I've written a few of these threads in the past. (especially after destroying the bottom laser on my kitty hawk trailer a few years back) :eek:

The APS "double trailer rack" is the best way to go. For $80? it is a great deal and is custom cut to the shape of the laser hull. Especially if you just spent $5k on a new hull.

The front support goes across the maststep (one of the strongest points on the hull) and the rear support should be placed at the same location the bottom boat is resting on the trailer. (placing it farther back adds stress)

Thus, the bottom boat's gunwale will be sandwiched between the trailer support and the rear APS rack. That way, the trailer (not the boat) will actually be supporting the weight of the top laser.

From previous posts, the Kitty Hawk trailer is pretty well set up for double trailering. If you notice the gunwale supports are about 6-8" long (more than twice the width of the Seitech dollies that we store our boats on all summer long.

I have a roof rack that I store my spars on during trips because its a lot easier than using the predrilled spar holes that the APS carrier has. Of course, that's just my 2 cents.

Also, the added weight on the Kitty Hawk gets rid of the "trailer hop" that many other members mentioned.

later
-C
 
Make sense to have the aft support over the wheels on the Kitty Hawk trailer. Thanks for the info. It's off to the shop to build up something.
 
LarsenCanvas said:
Make sense to have the aft support over the wheels on the Kitty Hawk trailer. Thanks for the info. It's off to the shop to build up something.
Click to expand...

You can save a bunch of time with the APS package. Especially if you are considering putting holes in the wood for the spars. (it already has them)
If you are making your own, remember that the laser does NOT have a flat deck. You need to shape the wood at about a 5-10 degree angle. You want to make sure that the weight of the top boat is over the kitty hawk supports, not the lower boat.

If you're still "bob vila" good luck. (I'm more of a Paris Hilton when it comes to woodworking :eek: )

-c
 
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