Trailer for Horizon Cat wanted

[Al]

I have my HC for sale, as I've 'aged out'.  I have a potential buyer, but he/we need an appropriate trailer.  He plans on trailering it from the midwest to Florida each Winter.  Does anyone have one that will meet the needs?  We have both searched in our areas for one, with no luck.  thanks,

[MarshHen]

Hi AL.  Gulf Island Sails (FL) has a new trailer for a Horizon Cat listed at $4,658 as an option price.  Congratulations on your potential sale and good luck with the trailer search.

Michael
michael.sutton@atlanticboatandmarine.com

[Al]

Thanks Michael,
Their website shows "Road King" trailers, which has a dealer about 20 mi. away.  I'll contact them tmw, if their prices incl. shipping, that looks good.

[Andre]

I bought a new Magic Tilt trailer through a Com-Pac dealer in Norwalk CT in 2017 for my HC which was in Norwalk. Very nice quad trailer with disk brakes. Around $5k. I didn't shop around because of very tight time constraints to get the HC from CT to NJ. Shipping from Florida was waived or reduced (can't remember now) because C-P had a delivery coming up to the area on a flat bed and they piggy-backed my trailer on that.

Andre

[JohnnyB]

I'm in the process of purchasing an HC but will need a trailer. This is my first sailboat and I don't have access to an HC locally to take measurements, so pardon my ignorance. It looks like the HC trailer is a bit of an anomaly in that it needs to have a pretty high GVWR for its relatively short length of just over 19 ft. That length figure is based on the one and only HC on a trailer I have seen in person. I hope to find one ready to go, but will most likely need to purchase a powerboat trailer and mount the necessary hardware to build the cradle. If anyone has done this I would appreciate any info on the hardware you purchased to build the cradle? Additionally, most of the trailers I've seen photos of are running smaller diameter wheels. I prefer running larger wheels on trailers and that's what is usually found on most powerboat trailers in this range. If anyone is using larger wheels (12" or more) and/or has a trailer closer to 23 ft long please share details on whether you have any trouble loading/unloading your HC? I would think the longer trailer lets the boat sit a little further down the boat ramp and maybe that extra depth helps offset the boat sitting higher due to the taller wheels?

In summary this is the info I have from various sources:
Cradle width - 48"
Cradle length - 91"
Cradle Support Bar heights x 8 - appx 20" for end bars and 18" for center bars
Need a tandem axle trailer
Minimum GVWR of appx 4400 Lbs
Minimum trailer length appx 19 ft

Here is the info I need:
Any corrections on what I think I know?
What is the length measured from the winching eyelet to the front of the keel?
Total length of the keel measured at its lowest point (i.e. the length of keel that sits on the trailer support beam)?
Keel width measured at its widest point?
Height from ground level to the bottom of the keel as your boat sits on the trailer?
Any confirmation that someone is using a 22-23 ft trailer with 12" or greater wheels without issue?

Thanks in advance,
Johnny B
 

[MarshHen]

Good luck with your purchase Johnny.  The HC is a great boat.

I believe the smaller diameter wheels are to facilitate a lower profile for launching. I think you will find every inch counts when you are at the ramp.  It sounds like you are already mindful of this.

Also, keep in mind the weight of the boat needs to rest on her keel.  The bunks under the hull are there to keep the boat upright. I am not sure you will find a powerboat trailer that will accommodate this important feature.

 My advice is to purchase a trailer specifically made for the HC.  If you plan to launch and retrieve her each time you go out, you may want to consider a tongue extension as well.

Again, good luck with your purchase and please keep us posted.

Michael

[crazycarl]

If you purchase a new trailer, have them install drop axles. I put a 4" drop axle on my 19's trailer with 15" wheels. Huge difference in towing, and the boat sits at the original height.

[JohnnyB]

Thanks for the replies! I was able to run up to Punta Gorda and take some measurements on an HC sitting at a brokerage. I found the parts that were used to build the cradle online and realized they have a lot of adjustability. As you guys mentioned the height of the keel bunk seems to be a critical factor and was about 6 inches higher on a nearby 25 ft trailer, so have to be mindful of that.

I'd love to just go out and by a new HC trailer but I'm already over budget and was quoted $7k for a new trailer. My wallet needs time to recover before I do something like that. I just need to find something reasonably priced that can get the job done for now and maybe upgrade in the future. I won't be traveling to distant cruising grounds for a few years at least. I'll keep you posted.

Big disclaimer that these measurements are approximate, but here is what I found from another HC on a trailer:
- Length measured from the winching eyelet to the front of the keel: 62" to top of keel and 76" to bottom of keel
- Total length of the keel measured at its lowest point (i.e. the length of keel that sits on the trailer support beam): 90"
- Keel width measured at its widest point: 12"
- Height from ground to the bottom of the keel sitting on the trailer: 10"