Catsailor.com Help finding a sailbox for a trailer
Posted By: FinalContent Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/20/09 06:44 PM
Can anyone tell me where to find a new or used sail box -- any kind, used or new. Thanks
Posted By: ejpoulsen Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/20/09 07:47 PM
Check Murray's for the fiberglass one made by Performance or make your own. Many threads in the past about making hour own--try the search function. I just finished one for my A-cat trailer.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/20/09 10:58 PM
http://www.west.net/~lpm/hobie/archives/v1-i6/feature1.htm
All I could find.
Doug
Posted By: Team_Cat_Fever Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/20/09 11:55 PM
I may have a sport locker for sale. If your interested PM me.
Posted By: kmboudreaux Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 02:45 AM
I make them, check out my website "sailboxes.com"
Regards,
Kenny
Posted By: zander Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 03:24 AM
Trey Brown has had several made over the past few years. Think sportlocker built from diamond plate. Beautifully done and reasonably priced. PM me if you want his contact info.
Posted By: Hullflyer1 Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 01:37 PM
It helps if you let people know where you are located.
Posted By: kmboudreaux Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 02:30 PM
Sorry, I'm located in New Orleans.
Posted By: NCSUtrey Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 02:54 PM
Indeed, I've made quite a few sailboxes in the past few years. Zander's description is spot on. NO fiberglass box comes close to these boxes. I've got 1 left in inventory right now. I'm in SC, but travel quite a bit. Email me for details.
velocitytrey (at) gmail.com
Thanks
Posted By: ThunderMuffin Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 07:41 PM
I gotta plug my buddy Trey's boxes. They are top notch quality. I'm thinking about getting a second one for my trailer.
Posted By: wildtsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 09:31 PM
Tad.. I heard yours was Bday present and the story behind it went something like Trey popping out wearing nothing but Magic Marine skimpy shorts and then singing Happy Birthday Mr. President to you.
Would explain the popularity of the boxes and why Trey enjoys selling them so much!
Posted By: wildtsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 09:34 PM
In reality though... they are sweet boxes! One day when I can afford to buy new sails one of his boxes is next on my list!
Posted By: John Williams Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 09:39 PM
My Lunchbox was empty... and I'm glad. Love ya, LunchTrey, but the mankini thing is making me a little nauseous....
Posted By: ThunderMuffin Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 10:04 PM
Tad.. I heard yours was Bday present and the story behind it went something like Trey popping out wearing nothing but Magic Marine skimpy shorts and then singing Happy Birthday Mr. President to you.
Would explain the popularity of the boxes and why Trey enjoys selling them so much!
Dude. Scary.
Posted By: NCSUtrey Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 10:21 PM
My Lunchbox was empty... and I'm glad. Love ya, LunchTrey, but the mankini thing is making me a little nauseous....
Dude, your wife was supposed to open the box, not you. (You were also scheduled to be out of town too
)
Posted By: Kris Hathaway Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 10:44 PM
Are the lunchboxes long enough to hold an 11'3" spin pole?
Posted By: Keith Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 10:51 PM
Are the lunchboxes long enough to hold an 11'3" spin pole?
Kris - see Alec's trailer with dual TreyBoxes - one of them is modified to take long spin poles. Basically a length of PVC pipe with a cap attached to front end. I miss the trailer and TreyBoxes...
Posted By: wildtsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/21/09 11:55 PM
I got nauseous typing it!
Posted By: F-18 5150 Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/22/09 02:35 AM
Kenny's boxes are also very nice.
Posted By: Kris Hathaway Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/22/09 06:15 AM
Are the lunchboxes long enough to hold an 11'3" spin pole?
Kris - see Alec's trailer with dual TreyBoxes - one of them is modified to take long spin poles. Basically a length of PVC pipe with a cap attached to front end. I miss the trailer and TreyBoxes...
I was hoping for a more elegant solution than strapping on a hard condom. Unfortunately, I think that there are few metal fabricators that have 12' breaks (bending machines) that would consider such low budget jobs.
Posted By: H17cat Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/22/09 08:40 PM
For a lower cost alternative, you can make a sailbox out of wood for under $100. Now making two, one for trailer, other for storage at Sail Sand Point. Boxes will be 11.5 ft by 2ft, 10in deep. Lid, 3/8in plywood, with 1 by 2 in edge. Sides and bottom 1/2 plywood. 1 by 2in framing with 2 by 4 ends. Paint inside and out with white semigloss exterior paint. Had the last one for over 20years, and sold with H-17 and trailer.
Caleb
Posted By: LuckyDuck Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/23/09 12:42 AM
Thanks Caleb. What grade of plywood do you use? I wonder about the weight though. Ed
Posted By: H17cat Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/23/09 01:24 AM
Thanks Caleb. What grade of plywood do you use? I wonder about the weight though. Ed
All plywood, exterior grade. Standard construction grade on 1/2, sanded finish on 3/8 lid. Total weight about 150lbs, based on material list. Will weigh after completion.
Caleb
Posted By: Keith Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/23/09 07:43 AM
Are the lunchboxes long enough to hold an 11'3" spin pole?
Kris - see Alec's trailer with dual TreyBoxes - one of them is modified to take long spin poles. Basically a length of PVC pipe with a cap attached to front end. I miss the trailer and TreyBoxes...
I was hoping for a more elegant solution than strapping on a hard condom. Unfortunately, I think that there are few metal fabricators that have 12' breaks (bending machines) that would consider such low budget jobs.
He, he, you said "elegant"...
It's a short length that he attached to the front of the box, pole goes in box and into the protuberance.
Posted By: Jeff_Bowers Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/23/09 08:05 PM
I made mine out of 1/4 inch birch ply Framed with 1X2 fir. Wrapped the outside in glass then gel coated it. Two coats of resin on the interior no glass. I put a 2 inch curve in the top for strength. I go 250 and no problems standing on it. Still Strong after 15 years. I backed the trailer into a tree without the boat on it and the 1 1/2 in galvanized support bar bent around the box. More than strong enough. I prefer and lipped slide on lid. You can get the lid out of the way. Get into the box then the boat is on the trailer and water tight.
About $150 in material and 20 hours of labor.
Posted By: waterbug_wpb Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/23/09 08:15 PM
+1
I made mine out of "door skin" laid on a 1" x 1" wood skeleton and "painted" with polyester resin. Sat out in the weather for a few years with no problems. I had hinged doors on each end which rotted on the ends after about 2 years, but those were easily replaceable.
I think the whole shebang cost about $75 a few years back
Posted By: ThunderMuffin Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/25/09 05:58 PM
There are disadvantages to a box thats just too big.
Ever drop a drain plug in there and it rolled to the exact middle of the box? Pain in the butt to get it out!
Posted By: CaptainKirt Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/27/09 06:14 PM
You can also make a nice, cheap "box" from PVC/plastic pipe- either just a section of pipe w/ wooden ends/plastic end caps (use bunji to keep on or latches) or split pipe and use plywood for "floor"- join in middle to reduce cost and can cut a "hatch" (or two!) and/or wooden ''door" on end.
Kirt
Posted By: waterbug_wpb Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/28/09 02:57 PM
There are disadvantages to a box thats just too big.
Ever drop a drain plug in there and it rolled to the exact middle of the box? Pain in the butt to get it out!
Not sure if I had that happen, but I can see your point. I had the doors on each end so I could open them with the boat on top... Maybe some sort of opening on the top would really facilitate access... But for $75 all in, it was a good temporary solution (this was way before you started making boxes, by the way) for a few years.
Couldn't you just tip the trailer up to help the drain plug roll to the low side?
Posted By: pgp Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/28/09 03:17 PM
If you build your own, be mindful of ample clearance for the dolphin striker, at all angles.
Don't ask. . .
Posted By: CaptainKirt Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/28/09 10:46 PM
Offsetting the box to one side can help with dolphin striker clearance depending on the box- Don't ask me how I know--
Kirt
Posted By: DVL Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/28/09 11:18 PM
Correct, put the sailbox to one side. On the other side I put 2 pieces of metal conduit about 16" apart. The cat trax go there. Easy to slide in and out under the boat from the front or back. Tie the trax to the trailer frame, lock with a bike lock.
Posted By: Todd_Sails Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 12/29/09 12:30 AM
I've built two different boxes out of wood. (Two different boats and trailers). The first was bascially 3/4 inch marine plywood. Treated 2x4's, SS screws, etc.
Trailer shapes are basically a rectangle with a triangle, or trapezoid on the front end of it.
I always built using all available space, as in the rectangle 4' x 8', by 12" high, with an additional 4' base, by 4' sides, by ~ 2ft front trapezoid. You can keep 2 set of sails, several poles, extra everything, etc. in a bos with this much Sq. Ft.
By second box was built much lighter, out of of 2x2's frame 12' long, x 4' wide (fender to fender), by 12" tall, A series of two doors, that always stayed relatively water tight. I used T=111 treated siding sheets, lasted for years, never rotted. It had a spine in the middle, so you could easily stand on it, dance on it, etc. The guy I sold it to took it off, not really sure why, it was very functional.
It was the the 'table' at many a regatta on the Tx Gulf coast for skippers meetings, award ceremonies, and many an after regatta dinner table, etc.
I always strapped the cat wheels to the bows, underneath in front of the box, lock to the trailer, an never had a problem with it.
You have had some great suggestions, go for it!
Posted By: H17cat Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/09/10 05:33 AM
Thanks Caleb. What grade of plywood do you use? I wonder about the weight though. Ed
All plywood, exterior grade. Standard construction grade on 1/2, sanded finish on 3/8 lid. Total weight about 150lbs, based on material list. Will weigh after completion.
Switched to 1/4 in plywood on lid, 3/8 in plywood on sides, and bottom. Final weight 120 lbs.
Caleb
Posted By: pgp Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/09/10 02:44 PM
I used 1/4" construction grade ply, and aluminum channels for edges and corners. It required some internal bracing. I wanted access when the boat is on the trailer, so there are doors at both ends and a sliding hatch on top at one end. This has not proved entirely satisfactory, due to leakage, but a cheap tarp from Lowe's has solved that.
Posted By: alsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/10/10 07:16 PM
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/10/10 07:23 PM
sweet~ and you can be buried in it when your "all done"
Posted By: alsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/10/10 07:38 PM
Here are a few more pic of the interior as it is trick. And I didn't mention but the 1"x1" ribs are only on the top and bottom and yes you can not only stand on it but do an Irish jig if you so desire.the interior is coated with 2 coats of Helmsman polyurethaine/spar varnish for protection against the moisture. good luck and have fun building yours..
Alex/ Blindmonkey: cause even a blindmonkey can find a banana in the wood every now and again
Posted By: alsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/10/10 07:42 PM
Well at 12' long and 32" wide it would make a rather large "coffin"!!!!! but it would work LOL. ALex
Posted By: hobiephil Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/10/10 08:14 PM
I don't know if I would ever want to have a sail box that was prettier than my boat.
Posted By: pgp Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/10/10 11:55 PM
Good Lord! That's a piece of furniture and fine furniture at that!
Mine is just a box. . .that leaks.
Posted By: mbounds Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/11/10 01:23 AM
25 years ago, I built a box similar to that - it's still on my trailer going strong.
It's required a fair bit of maintenance along the way.
A sail box endures some of the worst conditions you can imagine. High winds, driving rain, lots of UV exposure, dirt, soot, flying objects (rocks), vibration, you name it. All we ask that it keep $1000's of dollars of sails and equipment dry and clean.
It's a tough mission statement. Bright finished wood looks cool, but not for long. At least not without a s**tload of maintenance.
Posted By: pgp Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/11/10 02:12 AM
It's amazing what a cheap tarp will do for waterproofing; I figure $15/year to keep everything dry and keep the sun off the box.
The doors and the hatch are a pita to execute properly, but well worth the trouble.
Posted By: Kris Hathaway Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/11/10 03:56 AM
Well done Alex. I have been designing a pair of boxes and planning on using 3/4" MDO for the floor and 1x1 hardwood side frame with 3/8' MDO skin on sides & top. What is your box's height and approximate weight?
Do you do much traveling with your rig? I was planning on glued joints with brads and possibly a single glass wrap. Just worried about the box shaking apart.
Posted By: alsail Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/11/10 01:15 PM
Well lets see it can't weight more than about 150 to 200 # cause I can leift it by my self if I get in the right spot. Be sure to use Tiet Bond III it is a true waterproof adhisive and I have tested it to the max and it works. The box was figured to be done with 3 sheets of ply, I don't have it here but I think it is about 16" tall and 32" wide that is 48" total 1 sheet of ply the side is the fall off of the 32" and the third sheet you cut in half to make the sides and the top after you rip it at the 32" point. the end panels are solid wood for looks Spanish Cedar is just as good as Mahogany in the weather and exterior grade duglas fir ply is almost the same as marine excpt there are ocasonal voids. Have fun I was gooing to see if I could maket these but they would still coast a pretty penny the finish takes as long to do as building the box as I said I do this for a living so it didn't take as long as you would think besides if I built another one it would take less time as this is the prototype and alot of bugs were worked in my head before I went to work I have buit these in the past for windsurfing and sone of them are still around after 15 0r 20 years they are water tite and don't leak cause they are buit pretty much like a boat but for land. Have fun Alex
Posted By: Jeff_Bowers Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/11/10 01:57 PM
1/2 inch is overkill. Like a boat the strength comes from the frame not the skin. I used 1/4 birch with 1 layer of glass and it won't even twist it you pick it up by the corner. For a frame I used 1X2 fir that was screwed and glued at the corners and edges. I ran 4 support ribs across the inside of the bottom. This made it easy to seam the ply togeather to get the length and it helps with air circulation if you have to put away wet gear. Make the top curved for strength and to keep water from pooling on the top. Easy to do. Cut 5 ribs(each end and 3 in the middle) the desired curve out of 1X4, then just screw(start at one edge and work you way across) the 1/4 in ply to the ribs with some brass flat head wood screws, use good wood glue to help the bond. I finished the edges with 1X2 fir. gave it a good coat of resin then a wrapped the outside with a layer of glass. Hand painted with Gel. In 15 years I have had very little maintenance.
I prefer a lift off lid for easy access and water tight. You only need 2" clearance between the boat and the box to just slid the lid off when the boat is on the trailer.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/11/10 02:17 PM
Well at 12' long and 32" wide it would make a rather large "coffin"!!!!! but it would work LOL. ALex
It would fit Lurch perfect!
YOU RANG?
Posted By: rexdenton Re: Help finding a sailbox for a trailer - 01/13/10 02:52 PM
+1. If Trey is taking orders, those are some killer nice boxes, (and a much better value than those fiber glass jobs). I had one specially made, and have been very happy with it.