Trailer or Transport

[Shotty Rogers]

I am new to the sailing world. In fact I just bought a sailboat and have to get it home (about 1500 miles). Nobody wants to sail it from Portland to Newfoundland this time of year. So, I looked around for a trailer...simple? No. Used sailboat Trailers, I find out are scarce. So I asked around for the hull shape specs for a Buccaneer 240 ( 24' 30" full keel) so I can modify a trailer or make a cradle to go on an flatbed. No replies. Anyone with ideas on how you get this information? or a cradle or a trailer near enough to Portland? There are no 240s in Newfoundland...so I'm out of luck to do it myself. How long a flat bed would I need ??

[alan white]

I assume you mean Portland, Maine. I happen to know exactly where you could find a suitable dual axle BOAT trailer with brakes in Holden, Maine, 150 miles north of Portland.
I can assist in building the necessary modifications (I'm a master carpenter experienced in modifying trailers) if you could sail the boat up to Belfast or the Castine area, any place where it could be hauled out by Travellift and placed on the trailer. I've sailed that distance in two days, would also crew.

Alan

[Shotty Rogers]

Thanks Alan for the reply. I know nothing about sailing. I retired the end of July and bought this boat on ebay to start realizing a long held dream to learn to sail. My plan was to fly down to Portland Marina at Spring Point where the boat is hauled up, buy a trailer and tow the whole package home with a U Haul. Any suggestions? Mike

[alan white]

As I said, I know of a trailer. A friend bought a 21 ft O'Day and the trailer it came with is too heavy duty for his boat. He would like to sell it and get a lighter one.
Getting the trailer to you is easy. Modifying it will require minor adjustments and/or a few pieces of lumber.
Even easier is to sail the boat (I can assist you) up the coast to, for example, Winterport (on the Penobscot river) where there's a Travellift to haul the boat and where the trailer can be mated to the boat. This would save driving the trailer all the way down to Portland only to have to drive it back up again after.
We can discuss price of trailer and details by email.
The alternative would be to make a cradle. Spring Point could lower the boat onto a flatbed trailer having a center track already made for the keel and then bunks could be added to complete the cradle while the boat is supported temporarily with jacks.
The problem is that the trailer has to be found and a cradle built and then you'd surely rather have a boat trailer than a flatbed trailer.
No matter what you decide, my email address is vagabond172@xpressamerica.net. I can at least assist in whatever you decide to do.

Alan