Nice pictures. As you get more comfortable on the boat you will want to sit at the front of the cockpit. It balances the boat better and will make using the tiller extension much easier.
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'Looks like a nice ride on that mattress, and the balance point (the daggerboard trunk) is supported by the tailgate. I'd be tempted to run a protected cable over the cab to the front bumper, and secured at the bow handle. (A narrow cable, so it's not distracting while driving). "Protected", meaning, run through flexible PVC tube, then through a swim noodle. A turnbuckle would be a plus.
If the boat is transported deck-down instead, I'd run something from your trailer hitch to the bow handle. A wood broom handle won't reach, but a section of discarded bed frame should.
I replaced the repurposed wood rack pieces (pictured on page 2) to the "mystery-metal" of a bed frame—cut down to the right size and using the existing holes—and it's still with me today. Bed frame is very hard to drill or cut. I used a carbide cutting wheel to cut it to length.
You'll be alright with the extender, and something more reliable than the air mattress. Ya know, if ya don't want to build a cradle of some sort, you'll hafta find a way to protect the boat in transport... remember those wide flat sofa cushions with vinyl covers on 'em? The thick vinyl covers which were hard to rip? Something like that, maybe some old cockpit cushions from a larger boat... you could throw those down in the bed of your truck, set the Fish in the bed, add the padded extender and secure everything with line or webbing. Find places for the spars, dolly, etc. That will probably be your best bet if you plan to do it all solo... if transferring the boat from the truck to the dolly (and vice versa) gives ya too much grief, then it's time to get a trailer, but that means fees, maintenance, the backing job in your driveway on the busy street you mentioned, etc. If you have enough room in your driveway or yard, you can pull straight in, unhook the trailer and move it by hand, adding a wheel up forward to make things easier... more work, LOL. I think you're on the right track with the extender, just dial it all in so it becomes easy for you to do everything solo. Nobody will be timing you as you load or unload, it's okay if it takes ya 10 or 15 minutes, LOL.
P.S. If ya run an ad on C/L for old boat cushions, you could probably get 'em dirt cheap, and they don't have to be pretty as long as the vinyl/foam combo does its job and protects your boat hull or deck... pool noodles could add extra support. Boat should slide up on those cushions fairly easily too, it's not like it weighs a ton.
The cost of the trailer doesn't stop with the purchase... vinyl-covered foam cushions would eliminate the possibility of the air mattress leaking and your boat shifting around in the bed due to loosened securement. No future in that, I'd swap out the air mattress ASAP and go with solid cushions which are just thick enough to protect your boat... with the padded extender to provide additional support, you should be good to go. That extender can also be used for securement by running a line or some webbing through your bow handle, wrapping it around the upright bar or stock of the extender, and tying it off... or slap a bowline on the bow handle, wrap the line or webbing around the upright, and then run it wherever you might need it, say to secure the spars or dolly or whatever. That extender will give you a solid anchor point to prevent the boat from sliding out of the bed under normal transport conditions... if you have tiedown points or eyes in the bed of your truck, you should have the problem licked. Worst-case scenario, you try it and decide that you want a trailer after all... but I'd definitely give it a shot, you could save heller money that way.
I tend not to wear sunglasses unless I'm on my motorcycle. I kind of like to wear a cheap straw cowboy hat but lost one of them on that windy day back in Wisconsin. The glare of the water may not be too good for the eyes though...good idea to get some gear!Hey, Norcalsail, forgot to mention this in that PM I sent, but I noticed in your photos that you're not wearing shades or a hat... good polarized shades on a goon cord around your neck, a wide-brimmed hat or ballcap for protection from the sun's glare even when you're wearing shades. You'll see better over the surface at long range too... see cat's-paws and other indicators which will help you make better tactical decisions, LOL. Glad things are going well, today I get to load more boxes for my upcoming relocation to the coast... oh, boy, at least I have plenty o' beer in the fridge. Gotta break down that 8' pool table soon as well, I'm gonna give myself an entire day to do that, as I don't wanna f/u the table, that thing cost me $3500, LOL. More than my freakin' car, if THAT tells ya anything... WTF, a man has to get his priorities straight, I don't need a fancy rig to impress women, they'll hafta settle for my sweet disposition, LOL.
CHEERS!!!
Thanks to Signal Charlie's advice, I kept some slack in my tie downs. I tend to over tighten things so his reminder was important. This scares me as I don't know exactly how much is too much. I ran them through the dagger board well but kept them a bit loose. Not sure if the dagger board well is a good idea but it is secure.I just took some pictures of stress? cracks that I attribute to the tie down straps and also the roller. I might make some kind of carpeted 2x4 thingy that will distribute tie down pressure across the deck and rout them past the edge of the boat and down to the trailer. I suppose I should adjust the roller to be useful in retrieving the boat but have it barely touching during transport.
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I ran them through the dagger board well but kept them a bit loose
That seems like a good idea! I wonder how much force the dagger well is designed to hold.
It is way too easy to overtighten those ratchet straps!
I’m going to anchor some clips or caribeaners to the trailer so I can run the straps loose and not worry about the hooks coming free.
Back to cartopping...It’s best to transport it deck side down whether it’s on trailer or cartop.