Atom Voyagervideo
Designing a Versatile Fixed Keel Sailboat Trailer
22 May 2026 · 9 min · 2K views · Columbus, Georgia
White sailboat on trailer with person walking beside
What this video covers
Atom drives 250 miles across Georgia to Columbus to collect his third fixed-keel sailboat trailer, rated to 14,000 lb gross weight but limited in practice to roughly 10,500 lb of boat plus a 2,000 lb trailer by his 12,500 lb hitch rating.0:33 The trailer uses drop axles to keep the boat low and height-adjustable hull support risers — 2.5-inch outer box channels with telescoping 2-inch inner tubes pinned at three positions — to fit boats of varying draft.5:00 Brake adjustment procedure is demonstrated: jack the tire, insert the adjustment tool, and set just enough drag to hear a faint scuffing with brakes released.1:24 The practical trailering limit for a non-permit move is a boat under 10,000 lb with a beam of 8 ft 6 in or less; beams up to 10 ft require an overwidth permit.3:04 Lift-off versus float-off trailer configurations are compared: float-off suits ramp launching but is impractical beyond roughly 3 ft draft and demands a galvanized frame for saltwater.3:47 A removable rear frame section allows rudder removal on boats 28 ft and up.7:54 Three trailers are shown in use — one holding a Pearson Triton, another a Cape Dory 30 under refit.7:23 A mast tabernacle eliminates the need for a boatyard crane.4:20
Boats in this video
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