Boat Buzz

Hi Guys. I am new to this forum. I live in South Africa and farm with Table grapes. I have just bought a 1966 28ft Constellation. It is in need of work but first I need to get it to my farm. I want to build a trailer for it but need a plan of the hull bottom to make sure i put supports in the right places.The hull is quite solid and I will remove both engines before transport.

If anyone can assist I would be most appreciative. They are dupe rare over here so there is no boat trailer builder here that can supply me with one.

Hello Johank,
Contact the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia, USA. They have all the shop drawings for your hull.
Originally, there were large cradles that supported these big boat along critical frame members. But for your trailer consideration, I would say a large I-Beam aluminum trailer with long bunks near the chines and equally supporting bunk at the keel would give sufficient support. Do not use rollers. A professional boat hauler would use supports on their trailer similar to those on a marine railway.

Thanks Keith. Will do.

Here's a link to The Mariners' Museum Library - Chris-Craft Collection:
Www.marinersmuseum.org/library/#chris-craft

Order a Research Package for your Connie. You'll need to provide them with the hull number which should be CXC-28-2001 thru 2050. They will provide a copy of your original hull card among other things specific to your cruiser, along with a list of original drawings that you may order copies of.

I had a 1960, 27' Connie that was hauled on a trailer occasionally for work to her hull. The trailer offered linear support on bunks just inside the chines. As johank mentioned we added support under the keel. Mine was a single engine so didn't need additional support under those frames. With twin engines you could add short bunks under those frame members and haul her without removing the engines, as long as the roads aren't too rough.

take great care on rough roads....potentially terminal for her

John in Va.

here's 1964. Closest I have.