Rowing is a magnificent sport. Unfortunately transporting the boats is one of the greatest challenges, but it does not need to be dangerous with the right equipment and some simple planning.
In addition to ensuring you are compliant with local laws and regulations, there are some key things you can do to make the logistics of rowing boat transport safer and less of an imposition on rowing club program staff and athletes.
Before setting off on any journey, ensure your tyre pressures are per the manufacturers recommended specifications, that all lights are functioning correctly on the trailer, and that you have flags on the tips of any boats overhanging the end of the trailer.
Use a well designed trailer
Go to any large regatta in Australia and walk through the trailer park and you will see some interesting trailer designs. Often trailers have a large capacity for boats but do not have enough storage volume in the bed to carry all the associated riggers, oars, and trestles.
In addition the trailer should be as low as possible and have plenty of steps running the full length of the trailer for safety when loading boats.
Using a trailer cover is also a good idea. The cover protects the expensive equipment, stops equipment from coming loose and flying out of the trailer during transit, and acts as a little bit of extra security when the trailer is parked.
Finally the trailer should be stiff but lightweight. You certainly do not want a trailer that uses the expensive rowing boats to brace the trailer when it is moving. Conversely, you do not want a trailer that uses heavy beams to create the bed and adds an enormous amount of weight unnecessarily.
Have an appropriate tow vehicle
When it comes to tow vehicles, it is critical that the vehicle is compliant to tow the weight of your trailer. Pay particular attention to gross combination mass when the trailer and vehicle are fully loaded.
The vehicle must be powerful enough to comfortably pull the trailer. We do thousands of kilometres each year delivering new boats to customers and can confidently say the more powerful the vehicle the better.
The final and most important point of the tow vehicle is the driver. Give yourself plenty of time for any journey, and if you are turning with the trailer make sure to slow the traffic down behind you, taking up two lanes if necessary. Trying to quickly get out the way of those following when turning will only result in the stern/bow of the boats being hit by passing vehicles.
Ensure you have have electric brakes
At the core of your safety when towing is having electric brakes on the large rowing trailers. We chose to fit the Elecbrakes EB2 to our trailers due to the simplicity of use, customisation of immediate and hard braking intensity, and the ability to use tow vehicles without the need for the Electric Brake Controller to be installed.
The bluetooth Elecbrakes EB2 allows rowing programs to use multiple vehicles without concern for safety Distribute the weight in the trailer appropriately
Last but not least is the weight distribution of the trailer. It is absolutely critical that you concentrate the weight of the trailer as close to the axles as possible. Our key suggestions are:
Place riggers and other heavy items like tents on top of or nearer to the axles as much as possible
Oars can be placed forward of the axles in the front section of the trailer. This keeps them out of the wind and keep the front of the trailer nice and light.
Reduce the weight of the things you can control, such as trestles. The old fashioned wooden trestles are not only heavy, but also take up huge space in the trailer. There are many options for well design and lightweight trestles available to purchase meaning you have more space in your trailer, the trailer is safer to tow, and you save on fuel as well!
The video below is a great resource for understanding the behaviour of loaded trailers:
Conclusion
With good preparation and the right equipment, transporting rowing boats does not need to be an imposition for program staff and volunteers. If you have any questions about rowing boat trailers please do not hesitate to contact us.