trailer for bilge keel yacht

• Search forums
• Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader

Bilge keeler as a trailer sailer

• Thread starter BenMurphy
• Start date 15 Sep 2021
• 15 Sep 2021

I've been looking around for a decent trailer sailer around the 17-18 feet mark. Up to now everything I've looked at has been lifting keel, but one has come up that's a bilge keeler - it's an Express Pirate 17 and draws pretty much bang on a metre. The lister is saying it's an ideal trailer sailer, but are bilge keelers as easy to launch as lifting keel boats? Will it still be easy to launch off any slip with a car or does it need more clearance? Love to hear from anyone who regularly trailer sails with a small bilge keeler.  

Well-known member

We sail a bilge keel leisure 17 and have done slipway launches and recovery (but not as a trailer sailor just start and end of season) If the boat draws 1 metre then the trailer needs to be in the water 1 metre deep plus however high the keel platforms are on the trailer. That's likely 1.3 metres or about 4 feet in old money. you won't get it that deep still attached to the car so an extension drawbar or just let it down the slipway on a length of rope. Some boats you can do a "dry" launch and recovery. We have done this with the L17, you basically tip it off the trailer onto the dry slip and wait for the tide to come in, and recovery you park the boat on the slip and wait for the tide to go out, though a dry recovery of the L17 is not easy and I think we have decided "never again" We keep ours on a pontoon in a harbour all season. My first boat was a lift keel that we bought thinking we would trailer sail it but after the first launch decided it was so much work to launch and recover that we would probably get fed up and never go sailing,.  

Spirit (of Glenans)

I found, with my first boat, a Leisure 17, that I did not have enough water on my local slipway, at Malahide, except at spring tides, as there was a large drop at the end. I took to leaving the boat and trailer on the sand beside the slipway until it floated off, securing the boat to the the slip before recovering the trailer by means of a long rope that I had laid out, then getting the car and trailer off the beach before the water rose too high. For recovery I had to position the trailer, wait for High Water, get into the water and guide the boat onto the trailer as the tide ebbed, again using the previously laid out long rope attached to the car to pull the trailer up above the waterline. The mast had to be lowered before towing away. Needless to say, I soon decided to take a mooring!  

One advantage of bilge keels is that you may be able to use a suitable car trailer for it, rather than a boat trailer, which could save a fair bit of money. However, based on what I've seen and read, there are a lot of people who think a trailer sailer means they go somewhere, set up, launch and go sailing, but find that the set, launch and recovery is too much faff. They end up leaving the boat afloat for the season, only trailing to come home for winter or for a cruise in a new area.  

Corribee Boy

I think the first two posts have covered the problem: My Corribee draws about 85 cm and has to be floated over a dolly, then winched on to the trailer once the tide has dropped a bit. Positioning it correctly then waiting for the tide is time-consuming and easy to get wrong, and usually means standing up to my chest in the sea for an hour or more while the boat settles. I really wouldn't want to do it every time I sailed. That reminds me, must check that the mice haven't nibbled my waders again....  

Blueboatman

Aye to the faff, having done it with a corribee too back in the day - but it was def still worth it. ? Here’s what I learnt You may probably need a stout rope and a sound jockey wheel , to get the trailer down to a float-off depth ( and vice versa) whilst still keeping the pulling vehicle up on solid level non slippery ground. Then there is the extra faff of playing with the jockey wheel and a loaded trailer to connect/disconnect from the hitch And the slipway will need to be pothole free so that the trailer glides down ( and back up) without being rigidly attached to the back of the car and doesn’t get stuck or skewed with one wheel in a deep crack.. And a couple of vertical guide poles on the sides will be invaluable to bring the boat back in on the centreline , all in relatively murky deeper water with 1m So, much will depend on conditions at the launch site  

Stemar said: One advantage of bilge keels is that you may be able to use a suitable car trailer for it, rather than a boat trailer, which could save a fair bit of money. However, based on what I've seen and read, there are a lot of people who think a trailer sailer means they go somewhere, set up, launch and go sailing, but find that the set, launch and recovery is too much faff. They end up leaving the boat afloat for the season, only trailing to come home for winter or for a cruise in a new area. Click to expand...

Blueboatman said: Aye to the faff, having done it with a corribee too back in the day - but it was def still worth it. ? Here’s what I learnt You may probably need a stout rope and a sound jockey wheel , to get the trailer down to a float-off depth ( and vice versa) whilst still keeping the pulling vehicle up on solid level non slippery ground. Then there is the extra faff of playing with the jockey wheel and a loaded trailer to connect/disconnect from the hitch And the slipway will need to be pothole free so that the trailer glides down ( and back up) without being rigidly attached to the back of the car and doesn’t get stuck or skewed with one wheel in a deep crack.. And a couple of vertical guide poles on the sides will be invaluable to bring the boat back in on the centreline , all in relatively murky deeper water with 1m So, much will depend on conditions at the launch site Click to expand...

BenMurphy said: Here's an interesting question then: if you're basically fully submerging the trailer - particularly in saltwater - I assume you went through a pretty thorough cleaning routine with the bearings etc after each launch / recovery. How did you keep everything in top nick? Click to expand...

BenMurphy said: That's an interesting point. At the moment I have a 27' Hunter Horizon in the water in Cardiff, but I live around 1 hour 30 minutes away and we hardly get over there. Also I find the Bristol Channel quite limited for cruising. My thinking was that a trailer sailer would be more flexible, and in my head I'd be getting up early, running her to the coast and quickly popping her in the water. Perhaps I'm being naive... The idea of just renting a mooring for a season in a different cruising ground every year is an interesting one though. I guess a few hours manhandling her in / out of the water isn't such a big deal if you're going to leave her there in that case. Click to expand...

LittleSister

BenMurphy said: My thinking was that a trailer sailer would be more flexible, and in my head I'd be getting up early, running her to the coast and quickly popping her in the water. Perhaps I'm being naive... Click to expand...

With a sound trailer at least you do not have to choke on boatyard prices for winter storage and can shoot off to a new spot every year. I would have the boat lifted in a yard, at the start and finish of your season, then off you go. It would be money well spent and swinging moorings are easy to get for that type of boat for c£300 pa upwards. Your lifts would be c£100 + each way (plus trailer storage if required) .  

Fantasie 19

BenMurphy said: That's an interesting point. At the moment I have a 27' Hunter Horizon in the water in Cardiff, but I live around 1 hour 30 minutes away and we hardly get over there. Click to expand...

Blueboatman said: Aye to the faff, having done it with a corribee too back in the day - but it was def still worth it. ? . And a couple of vertical guide poles on the sides will be invaluable to bring the boat back in on the centreline , all in relatively murky deeper water with 1m So, much will depend on conditions at the launch site Click to expand...

Spirit (of Glenans) said: I improvised with four plastic soft drinks bottles tied on short lines close by the four corners of the trailer! Click to expand...

Praxinoscope

Our first boat was a Leisure 17 which we trailed around on an old car trailer that a friendly blacksmith modified for us. Most of the trailing was the 90 odd miles to and from home to our mooring, but we did trail it to a couple of alternative locations as a trailer sailer, as long as we could find a decent slipway it was all relatively easy.  

Members online

• Ian_Edwards
• mikefleetwood
• Parsonsheath
• Frank Holden
• Bikerwookie
• BootOftheBeast
• dexneverathome
• Wandering Star
• SealineTony
• Fr J Hackett
• mickywillis

Share this page

Pros and Cons of the Bilge Keel (5 Surprising Benefits)

As far as sailboats go, you won't see that many bilge keel designs - at least compared to full or bulb keels. The design has a lot to offer though, despite its supposed drawbacks that are often just a historical stigma and aren't an issue in modern designs. So let's have a look at five biggest pros of bilge keels that might make you a fan after all.

So what are the advantages of bilge keels? The bilge keel allows you to park your boat on tidal beaches. It can stand upright when onshore for maintenance, making it easier to maintain. It has a lower draft resulting in better accessibility of shallow areas. It also reduces roll, resulting in more comfort on board.

Let's have a closer look at these so that you understand all their possible applications.

On this page:

Closer look at bilge keel design, bilge keels can be safely beached, bilge keels have a shallow draft, bilge keels provide more roll stability.

First of all, let's define a bilge keel because it is one of those terms oftentimes used wrongly. Generally, a bilge keel is simply nothing but a series of fins on the bottom of the hull that aspire to counter the boat's roll.

It is then, as you see, primarily a device with stability as its purpose. There are usually two bilge keels on a boat, one for each side, but you can sometimes encounter boats with four or even more bilge keels - though this is usually the case with large vessels, such as cargo ships.

The bilge keels are surprisingly plentiful on many boats, be it private or commercial vessels, since stability is often lacking on motorboats and this is an elegant, simple and sturdy solution. The fins aren't large in width, not protruding outwards much, so construction and use wise, it is a non-demanding design.

On sailboats though, the story is a bit different. Since the bilge keel's function there is not just that of a stabilizing device, but also has to fulfill the function of a keel, they tend to be longer, resulting in legs of sorts.

Also, I have yet to see a bilge keel sailboat with more than two keels, as can be the case with motorboats.

The sailboat bilge keels are also narrower, measuring from back to front.

If you are still uncertain about the form of this design, check out our article about various keel types that talks more in depth about this topic and also mentions the bilge keels.

Check our overview of all keel types, including diagrams .

And that brings us to the first advantage.

Given the length of sailboat bilge keels, and the fact that they actually go beyond the lowest point of the hull, a boat with bilge keels can stand upright on flat surfaces. This benefit is known by the manufacturers, so the keels are constructed sturdily enough so that this will be possible without the fear of the keels breaking off.

In fact, if you google a 'bilge keel sailboat', most of the images you will encounter are those of beached boats - this feature is just that awesome.

The benefit here is undoubtable. The ability of a boat to stand upright while aground is something that extends your possibilities exponentially.

Your boat can stand flat on a beach if that is where you decide to spend the night. This is something many keelless boats, or those with keels that are retractable, take advantage of. And it is something that makes a sailor's life much easier, especially in low tide areas.

If you are a beginner and are rightfully afraid of anchoring, especially in areas with unfavorable seabed, imagine all those fears vanishing. Not a bad thought.

The ability to park the boat on beaches when the tide is low, with no need for anchoring or marinas, makes this a popular choice in places with shallow waters. It also makes for substantially calmer nights.

But the benefits extend beyond sailing itself. A bilge keel also means that when you need to store the boat on shore, whether for the sad, off-season times or for repairs, you will have a way easier time than the fin keel folks. No need for legs to hold it in place, also, gone are the worries that the external legs haven't been fastened well and your boat will fall over.

This can reduce your aground costs significantly, whether you are in a marina or store the boat in your garden.

The same thing goes for transportation, as trailering a boat that, on its own, stands upright, is much easier and eventually also cheaper, than if you have to support it externally.

A definite advantage of a bilge keel design is the lower draft. A lower draft will come in handy of course when sailing in shallow areas, like the British coastal waters, when going on lakes or the occasional river.

When cruising through coastal waters, the ability to care less about the draft adds to one's peace of mind. And anchoring becomes a bit easier since you can afford to venture into shallower arrears close to the shore, which makes finding a good spot for the anchor and attaching the boat to the shore with lines easier.

Then there are marinas with limited depth, which effectively disqualifies some boats from entering.

But just as was the case with the boat's ability to stand on its own, the shoal draft benefits don't end there - when ashore, these boats are easier to maintain, both for less need of support and for the fact that you can reach the hull easier without much scaffolding. Putting that fresh coat of antifouling paint on your boat just became much easier.

The same goes for transportation - if you want to trailer your sailboat, it is much easier to do so when the boat is shorter in height.

All in all, the advantages of a lower draft are a chapter of its own, no need to explore it further here. If you like what you are reading, have a look at our article about boats with lifting keels, the ultimate solution when it comes to shallow draft. It explains the benefits that mostly apply in bilge keel designs too.

Learn everything there is to know about lifting keels

Of course, just like is the case with bilge keels, there are almost always performance or functionality drawbacks when it comes to shoal draft designs, so one has to weigh the pros and cons.

But if you live in an area or sail in a way that could use the lower draft, look into bilge keels for sure. As any sailor in such an area will confirm, the benefits tend to outweigh the drawbacks.

As mentioned in the beginning, bilge keel, as a design, came to existence for the purpose of stabilizing the roll. The fins simply act as a counter to the rolling motion.

And although this function is most taken advantage of on motorboats, where the narrower keels oftentimes run alongside the whole hull, the bilge keels on sailboat have a similar effect.

So when it comes to comfort onboard, you will see a definite improvement. Of course, many sailors enjoy all the rolling motion that comes with sailing, but when it is time to use the heads, cook lunch, or basically do anything where a bit more stability is welcome, one will certainly appreciate the bilge keel.

So given all these benefits, why are there not that many bilge keelboats around?

Well, one of the biggest reasons for owning one is if you live in an area with large tides and a coastline that can take an advantage of them. Which makes this whole thing mostly a British matter.

Or French. But the French historically seem to prefer lifting keels a bit more, so the bilge keel tradition isn't there as much.

Then there is the fact that you won't see bilge keels on larger boats. They are the most popular in models around 20 - 30 feet, so if you prefer something bigger, you are almost always excluded from this design choice.

And lastly, there is the performance stigma. Which is where things get a bit unfair. A bilge keel design has way more wetted surface than a fin keel, for instance, so your speed will suffer.

Also, although rolling motion is reduced, unfortunately, so is the stability, since bilge keels simply don't reach as far down.

But the modern designs are way better performance-wise than what used to be the case years ago. The issue is that the case years ago was so drastic that the stigma is still carried to this day.

Bilge keel boats were for the slow folk, fishermen, who cared for stability and the ability to beach their boat when the day is over - and not for performance. In the minds of sailors, a bilge keel means a slow, ill-performing boat.

All in all though, unless you are a racer or a speed cruiser, you don't have to worry about performance. That is if you stick with the modern designs. So if the benefits sound good to you and you know you could take good advantage of them, go for it.

Clinton Morton

Hello Matej

Thank you for taking the time to put this webpage on net. I found it very informative. It was what I was looking for. Thank you 👍

Clinton Morton Toowoomba QLD

A boat with bilge keels does not have a bigger whetted surface. A finn keel of they same ballast would have to be twice as deep. When a bilge keel boat heels the keel becomes more effective in reducing leeway where a finn keel becomes less effective at reducing leeway. The leeward keel rises in the water and becomes more effective in righting the boat.

Impossible page to read with the amount of pop ups. Good luck !!

Leave a comment

You may also like, sailboat keel types: illustrated guide (bilge, fin, full).

The keel type is one of the most important features of your boat. But the different designs can be confusing, so I've set out to create a very clear guide that will …

What's the Best Keel Design for Bluewater Sailing?

Sailboat Keels Explained

The Minimum Water Depth for Different Types of Boats

Cheap Boats

Hunter Duette 23 Bilge Keel Yacht Trailer Sailer And Sbs Bk2000 Trailer

Advertised on April 4, 2024

Please note that some links on this website are affiliate links. We may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you click through our links and make a purchase from one of our partners. See our Affiliate Disclosure for more details.

Welcome to the sale of my Hunter Duette 23, hull number 40, and SBS Bilge Keel 2000 trailer.

LOA 22ft 7 in, LWL 18ft, Beam 8ft 6 in, Draft 3 ft 1 in, Displacement 1206Kg, 5 berths, Sail area 220 square ft, Ballast ratio 55%, twin or bilge keels.

The trailer weighs circa 400Kg with a load capacity of 1600Kg and a Gross weight of 2000Kg.

There are many articles on line relating to this yacht. They have an excellent reputation and are derived from the highly respected Hunter Sonata.

I purchased the boat in 2010 and it’s been sat on my drive ever since. Ditto the trailer that I purchased brand new in the same year. Clearly, after 14 years of inaction I’m never going to sail again so it’s time to pass the boat on to someone who might actually use it. Like the boat the trailer has never been in the water, fresh or otherwise. Total road miles for the trailer are circa 500. Please see the SBS website for an idea of the great spec of this trailer, now £5000 new.

First things first. I will sell you the boat and trailer. I will also sell you just the boat. I will not sell the trailer separately.

I am what they call a ‘motivated’ seller. Now that I’ve finally found enthusiasm to list the thing, I’m keen to see it go. If you think the boat sounds below par from my description please take a look at my seller feedback. Hopefully you will quickly determine that I’m just honest (unfortunately not always the case with sellers or buyers) and what you are reading is an accurate description that you can put, at least some, faith in. Because I would hate to see you unhappy with your purchase I will not accept offers unless you view the boat beforehand. No exceptions. I simply won’t respond to ‘offers’ unless a viewing has taken place.  I expect a £200 deposit within 24 hours of sale plus full payment with 7 days. I would prefer a bank transfer for both. I will not accept PayPal due to the excessive fees.

The attached photographs should tell you much of what you need to know but here is a quick summary of what is included with the boat:

·       Mainsail;

·       Roller reefing headsail and mechanism;

·       Cruising shute;

·       5HP Mercury four-stroke, with alternator charging and high thrust prop;

·       Fuel tank;

·       2x 5Kg Bruce anchors, a length of anchor chain, a length of chain and warp and a long length of rope/warp;

·       Mast, boom and spinnaker pole or a pole anyway;

·       Boat hooks

·       Spray hood;

·       Dodgers;

·       Sail cover;

·       VHF radio (old);

·       Table;

·       Board to turn main cabin berths in a ‘double’ bed;

·       Various fuse/switch panels;

·       Tiller extensions;

·       Boarding ladder;

·       Cabin heater (spirit);

·       Cabin lamp (spirit);

·       Origo 2 burner marine cooker (spirit);

·       Trailer spare wheel;

·       Bucket and chuck it style toilet;

·       Bag tank for fresh water;

·       Life ring and mount;

·       Full width trailer board; and

·       Paint, carpet, glue as noted below.

Please see the photographs to help you understand what obvious improvements/repairs and replacements will be required. Here is a list of what will, in my opinion, be essential:

·       New running rigging. The mast has been sat outside for 14 years and while every halyard etc. is still in place, they are way beyond their safe working lives;

·       The 5hp Mercury outboard was new in 2009 so has seen very limited use. However. It hasn’t been started for 14 years and will need to be recommissioned. It does turnover and has always been stored indoors;

·       The boat has a solar charger and battery. This is connected and appears to be working well. However, the rest of the electrics have been removed as the wiring was very green/corroded. I have new ‘tinned’ marine wire that will be supplied with the boat. The electrical system is very simple so a rewire would be very straightforward. A power supply to the distribution board and then power to the internal lights (more later), mast head light, VHF and depth/speed instrument, that is it;

·       Install the supplied, LED, internal lights. The holes in the headlining should be covered by the new lights. The old lights were fluorescent tubes and they went in the (recycle) bin a long time ago;

·       An overhaul of the trailer brakes. Pushing the trailer around the drive the brakes appear to be working fine. Once again though they have been inactive for a long time so a quick once over is advised;

·       The trailer wheels were removed the same day the trailer came home. They have been stored in a dark shed until I refitted them last week. They look immaculate but they are dated 2009 so it would be remiss of me to suggest they shouldn’t be replaced. That said I would be happy to drive anywhere with them as they are;

·       The boat will need anti-fouling;

·       Service the winches;

·       The bracket that holds the radio aerial is broken, see photo; 

·       A 25mm weld is required on part of the head sail furling mechanism, see photo.

Nice to do jobs include a buff and polish of the hull, revarnish the external woodwork and paint or carpet the forepeak/ forward cabin. The cabin was carpeted when purchased. Unfortunately, black mould meant I had to remove it. Now it looks a bit of a mess. I will supply carpet/glue and marine paint for you to tidy it up. I do have the old carpet which you could use as a pattern. The headlining doesn’t fit perfectly in a couple of places and needs and extra screw or two to make it perfect. A couple of the cushions have rodent damage, see photos. This didn’t happen while they were in the boat but when they were stored in a neighbour’s garage. Ideally theses should be repaired but, of course, it’s hardly a priority. There is a small section of cushion support missing in the fore cabin, please see the pictures.

For transport purposes the mast simply straps to the deck of the boat, everything else fits inside. The boat isvery light and I successfully towed it back from Wales with a two litre two-wheel drive car.

Should you have any questions, would like to see more photographs or arrange a viewing then please contact me via eBay. For your guidance I’m looking at around £2250 for the boat and the same for the trailerbut I am very receptive to well-reasoned offers.

Thanks for looking.

Current Price: £4500.00

Advertisement

Yacht Trailer For Bilge Keel Yacht

Bradley type heavy duty yacht trailer. Twin axle, braked. Size approx 20' x 8' 6".Would suit a bilge keel yacht around 25' in length or similar.4 good tyres, adjustable central front support post.Would make good yard trailer. Although full history is not known, I can say it has not been immersed since conveying the 25' yacht from east Sussex to Poole and then from Poole to Bixham in Devon without issues.6' lighting board and car tow hitch to suit ring coupling available £30 each if wanted.

Add new question to the seller

Bilge Keel Trailers

Slide title

Small bilge keel  Trailer 1300kg

Small bilge keel Trailer 1300kg

 Interested? We're always happy to provide any additional information about our services. Contact us on 015242 21466 or use our contact form.

• No products in the cart.

$ 48.00 – $ 66.00 (USD)

18′ (5.49m) trailer-sailer.  For construction in plywood or as a mould for grp/frp.

Beam 7’8″. Centreboard, single keel or bilge keel variations.  Draught with plate up 11″. Draught with bilge keels 1’10”.  Sail area 212 sqft. Total weight 1200lb. 10hp outboard max needed.

Please note that extra details for bilge-keel construction are not enclosed in the regular plan set. Although bilge-keels are an option they are of course not recommended for easy launching and retrieving on a trailer.

There is also a study pack available for this plan.  Click here to view.

Plans can be shipped folded in a large envelope or shipped in a sturdy cardboard tube (add $15.00 USD)

Please choose between the standard plan and the bilge keel plan.

Related products

Samson ‘C-Fever’ 62

Chuckles 18

Cape Otway 37

Hartley 30 (Steel Version)

• Motor Boat/Rib Trailers
• Jet Ski Trailers
• Yacht Trailers
• Marina Trolleys
• Showroom Dollies
• Trailer Vans
• Yacht Stands
• Special Offers
• Become a Distributor
• Register Your Trailer
• Maintenance
• What’s Happening?
• Ocean Bottle
• Bespoke Design
• Brokerage & Part Exchange
• Servicing & Repairs
• Video Gallery
• Testimonials

DK3000 Deep Keel Boat Trailer

£ 6,128.00 £ 5,106.67 (ex. VAT)

--> -->

Gross Capacity (kg)	Load Capacity (kg)	Length Capacity (m)	Tyre Size
3000	2300	6.2	N/A

Description

Trailer spec.

• EU/Exporting?
• Watch Product Video

The DK3000 Deep Keel boat trailer is perfect for fixed or lifting keel sailboats up to 2300kgs, with a chassis setup to suit your boats size and shape.

This model is a twin axle, braked trailer.

DK3000 Deep Keel Trailer Standard Features:

• Hot-dip galvanised throughout for added corrosion protection
• Torsion beam axles and waterproof bearings, giving a virtually maintenance-free long life
• Sealed bearings, twin speed winches, snubber and light bar
• Cushioned side steps
• Ratchet handle
• LED waterproof side and forward markers
• Four telescopic adjustable quick release hull supports
• Padded chocks and stem snubber
• Full EU certification for export purposes

Optional extras:

• Twin axle hub flushing kit
• Spare wheel including bracket
• Float’em poles
• Ratchet straps

SBS Trailers are the largest boat trailer manufacturer in the UK with an enviable reputation for producing a superior trailer at a competitive price. All trailers are fitted with premium running gear as standard.

Do you need your trailer delivered? Get in touch now to find out more about our nationwide delivery service.

All SBS trailers include a limited lifetime warranty on chassis structure – Find out more here.

Call our sales team on 01902 754133 or e-mail: [email protected] for more information on our full range.

*Image purely for illustrative purpose. Product may differ from illustration based on your boats requirements

Trailer shown features a drop centre and Variable Keel Channel

Weight	0.00 kg
Docking Arms	SBS Docking Arm Kit
Flushing Kit	Flushing Kit
Length & Width	1550mm x 6500mm

All our trailers come with the highest EU specification, which includes:

If you do not need a full EU specification, please  contact us to discuss alternative specifications available.

Click here for full explanation

Related products

DK2600 Deep Keel Boat Trailer

FK1000 Fin Keel Boat Trailer

Dk1800 fin keel boat trailer.

FK1500 Fin Keel Boat Trailer

FK1600 Fin Keel Boat Trailer

FK1300 Fin Keel Boat Trailer

DK3500 Deep Keel Boat Trailer

Dk2000 deep keel boat trailer, fk1900 fin keel boat trailer.