Trailering
When the club competes at regattas and head races it has to transport its boats and equipment to the host venue. This involves participating crews derigging their boats and carrying them (along with all oars, seats, trestles etc), to the club trailer that is located off the island. Great care has to be taken when doing this as boat transportation is the frequent cause of damage to club fleets.
Post event all boats and equipment need to be returned to the clubhouse.
If you sign up to racing you are also signing up to the less glamorous work of trailering. It is very poor form to not make yourself available to this essential pre and post race activity.
It is common for multiple crews from different squads to all compete at the same event. Space on the trailer will often be at a premium so it is imperitive that loading is done efficiently and as instructed. Each crew will be responsible for its allocated boat, blades and associated equipment. A trailer plan will be provided to crews instructing them where to position each boat or hull section for the journey there and back. Make sure no equipment is left behind.
A typical trailer loading plan
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Do not load boats on the lower racks until all riggers, oars, trestles and other equipment has been neatly placed in the bottom of the trailer.
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Make sure boats are positioned on the correct rack/load points (i.e. on the shoulder with the bow/stern section protected with a foam support)
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Ensure the strap is long enough before you commence (equally, try not to use a strap designed for much larger shells on small boats)
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If possible pass the strap by hand over the boat, if you have to toss the strap do not lead with the buckle end.
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Keep the strap flat and flush to the boat
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Make sure the strap passes under the horizontal arm of the trailer (not the vertical frame section)
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Ensure that the protective flap under the buckle is against the hull
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Feed the loose end through the buckle and pull the strap tight, so it is snug (not crushing the boat).
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With the excess strap, apply two half hitches before neatly wrapping the remaining strap around the horizontal arm and inserting one final half hitch to hold it in place.
A well tied boat strap
Not so well tied (note the untidy excess loose strap and the strap resting on the rigger bolt)
