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Broke the draw bar recovering yacht at the Caribbean Club ramp. No damage to boat. The metal just bent down. Repaired the next day with parts sourced from local trailer supply place. The one more northerly, Is the friendliest of the two places in key largo. They had a section of Galvy square pipe, which they drilled the holes for, and a used winch stand. Also got a bolt on trailer jack. The draw bar was shorter than stock but got me home (just a few miles away) and I may leave it like that. I had to omit the braking feature for now. Notice for those visiting key largo: the Caribbean club does not allow sailboats to either launch or recover. This needs to be spread around. I didn’t know, and got all kinds of drama. The original draw bar was a rusted mess of course. I had planned on replacing it last winter so I knew it was time. The ramp at the Caribbean club isn’t that good, and it was a struggle to get the boat out. Im sure that’s when it bent. I’m going to have the axle replaced as well, and I did put new tires on this year so the trailer will be in good shape again yay.

Ix

Congratulations on getting it fixed!

We always have counted ourselves fortunate (knock on wood 🪵) when, if something has to break/screw-up/malfunction/giveupdaghost, it does so where it can be managed without endangering anyone such as on a highway at the speed limit in heavy traffic.

It may not always happen that way but we are grateful when it does.

While you have the opportunity I suspect that your gonna take time to check the other members and welds and bolts.

Before we found Over Easy we looked at several other vessels and the owners had (apparently) no idea how compromised their trailers were. Mind you what one could casually see looked sort of ok, but when one looked closer and behind some were downright scary !

Given I spent several years patching up people after accidents I really try to make sure that whatever I operate and tow is in ‘seaworthy’ condition in as much as I can know. Nothing is gonna be prefect but regular checking has saved us from some avoidable SNAFUs becoming full blown FUBARs.

Glad that thins worked out

Too bad about the ramp closure to sailboats.
It there a good alternative nearby?

Please explain. What is the

draw bar recovering yacht at the Caribbean Club ramp

NiceAft wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:31 pm Please explain. What is the

draw bar recovering yacht at the Caribbean Club ramp

Trailer draw bar (the long piece that attaches to the tow vehicle).

Hey there! I’m new to the site and to sailing. We have a 26M and were thinking of sailing around the keys for a few months in the winter, any tips or advice? Thanks!!!