Assistance to identify our sailboat

We purchased our pocket cruiser in 2015. Gave it a sanding, some epoxy filler and paint job and have been happily cruising on a lake in the Czech Republic oblivious to the make of the boat ever since. However, we are about to start trailer-sailing and need to purchase a trailer and to do up the interior for weekend / week long trips around Central Europe visiting lakes. Thus, we would like to confirm what we bought. The papers claim Silhouette, however not sure about the lines / bilge/triple keel. Any thoughts anyone?

And, on topic of trailer, what should I be looking for size-wise? Single or double axle? Braked vs. unbreaked? Length?

 

I can not help you with the boat, but the trailer part is easy. You know the lenght and weight of your boat, and it sits on a launching dolly. The only thing you need is a flat bed trailer of appropiate dimensions and carry capacity. I would look for a trailer designed for hauling cars and mount a winch. A dedicated boat trailer is probably only needed if the total load (boat+dolly+trailer) exceeds your cars permitted towing weight. Or if you find something cheap, second hand.

 

Welcome to the Forum Paul.
She does look very much like a Robert Tucker design - he designed the Silhouette.
And she does look rather like a Silhouette Mark 1 re the sheerline, but the cabin is different.
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/silhouette

How long is she, and is she built with plywood or fibreglass?

The Silhouette Mark II has a much more pronounced sheer line, and also does not have the central keel.
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/silhouette-mk-ii

I was wondering if she might perhaps be a Fantasie?
This is a slightly larger version of a Silhouette, with a central keel.
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/fantasie-tucker
However the photos of Fantasies for sale on line do look rather different from your boat, and they have a different keel arrangement.
Fantasie 19 Yacht, Sailing Boat for sale from United Kingdom https://boats-from.co.uk/not-specified/fantasie-19-yacht-sailing-boat-207715

So I am a bit baffled.

 

Hi Rumars, thanks for the idea. How would one prevent lateral movement? Otherwise length we can manage, weight we do not know, which is why we are trying to figure out the make to reach an approximation. The cars permitted towing weight is 1800 kg.

 

Hi Bajansailor,

Yes, Nick Vass from Hurley Owners Association is thinking it is a Hurley Silhouette MkII, built around 1965. However, I just don't get the central keel extended from front back - vis-a-vis the rudder + agree the general MkII sheer line is more "wavy". Attached another rudder view + image that Nick sent. Boat is fiberglass and agree, Fantasia is different in terms of keel as well as cabin.

 

You strap it down, just like any other load. If the car can tow 1800kg buy a trailer rated for it. Regardless how much the boat weighs, it is always nice to have spare capacity.
There are two main ways to determine actual weight, you use a scale or you calculate the underwater volume of the boat. The advertised weight you find in brochures is theoretical, real weight is sometimes quite different.

 

Cheers, thanks for practical notes. No brochure with this, as if a Silhouette Mk I or II or variant (centre keel x skeg doesn't fit these models + sheer line is less "wavy") then def. no brochure except for links provided by @bajansailor (thx again). Thinking the additional centre keel will have added weight. Locally I have come across this one: Lodní přívěsný vozík TRIGANO na 750 Kg | PŘÍVĚSY MORAVA - kvalitní přívěsy za top ceny. https://www.privesymorava.cz/cz/2/katalog/145/lodi/355/lodni-privesny-vozik-trigano-na-750-kg - weight 154 kg, load carrying capacity of 596 kg and can deliver from 10-18 feet of length and comes with 450 kg winch. Price comes out to about 830 GBP incl. VAT (21%). Would save on VAT but then reinvest into additions for resting of bilge plates.

 

First thing is to know how much the boat weighs, no way around it. Then you add some more for gear, food, engine, etc. There is no need to carry all that stuff in the car if the trailer has enough capacity.
So it is a question of:
You bring the boat to a weigh station (on someone else's trailer).
You bring loadcells to the boat.
You spend some time with a ruler and calculator.
Only you can say what is simplest and cheapest for you.

 

Yep, looks like that is what we will have to do - get it to a weigh station somehow, which I was hoping to avoid at all cost, as it is a major pain in the backside. But, unless we have clarity on what we have, will need to be done. Cheers!

 

Recommend these types of rollers, not necessarily this brand, on a boat trailer. They automatically center the boat in the same spot everytime. Only need a couple.
Shoreline Marine Self Centering Roller Poly 12" x 5/8" Yellow SL52326 | eBay https://www.ebay.com/i/283804723069?chn=ps&_ul=MX&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=21562-222008-2056-1&mkcid=2&itemid=283804723069&targetid=878892090234&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1010200&poi=&campaignid=1823483887&mkgroupid=88085613076&rlsatarget=pla-878892090234&abcId=1140956&merchantid=134321554&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7-j56fXH6QIVC77ACh3cIQ8JEAYYAiABEgKKfvD_BwE