Laser Trailer Design Plan and Photos

These plans are of the construction of a trailer that holds one, two or three lasers by the gunnels. There is no weight on the hulls.  These frames are built so that they can be stored on any flat surface.  The frames can be mounted on any sort of trailer with appropriate dimensions and carrying capability.  They can be stacked as high as the owner feels he can reasonably handle the raising of the hulls.  I have used this plan with three Lasers.  One additional hull can also be carried deck down if desired.

The framing members are plain 2x4s.  The gussets may be made of half inch to three quarter inch plywood or chipboard.  I do not think particle board has the structural strength to be used.  All assemblies are screwed and glued with moisture cure urethane glue.  All fasteners are commonly available at any hardware store.  All points where the hull may contact the frame are protected with marine carpet stapled in place.

To the left are the dimensions of the corner gussets that are the essential part of constructing a frame that supports the laser by the gunnels.  You will need a total of four of each gusset.  Each corner takes two.  They are sandwiched over the 2x4 cross frames.

The 20 inch sides have a 20 inch 2x4 positioned so that it extends about 5 inches below the bottom.  This allows the upper frames to be connected to the lower frames.

The cross frame needs to be cut to make the overall width of the frames 66 inches.

The entire assembly should be about 86 inches in total length.  The forward frame should be positioned at the mast step and the rear frame is positioned at the rear edge of the cockpit.  These are the two strongest areas of the hull.
The gussets pictured above are used two per corner.  You would need four of each to make a rack for one Laser.  A total of sixteen gussets must be cut to assemble a set of racks for two Lasers.

You should be able to build one frame from one 4x8 sheet of plywood and 6 2x4s.  Total cost for a set of racks for two Lasers, excluding the cost of a trailer, should be less than $100.
The upper frame rack needs to have a 2x4 stringer on each side to maintain the dimensions of the rack when it is not attached to the lower rack.  This stringer is also used to pick up the rack and boat in order to launch.  This is easier than trying to remove the boat alone over the top of the rack.  (The lower rack also requires stringers if it is not permanently mounted on the trailer.)

The stringer could be bolted though the edge of the frames but is much sturdier if it is bolted with angle brackets at the corners.

Each frame's upright 2x4s are mounted so they extend below the cross frame.  A hole though the gussets and frame receive a bolt to secure each additional frame assembly.
A second 2x4 is placed inside each gusset sandwich assembly.  The Laser is placed on the top of the assembled rack and the edges marked.  Then the 2x4 is notched to fit the gunnels of the Laser.  The depth of the cut should place the deck just below the plumb line across the top of the frame so that additional frames can hold the boat down without actually placing any weight on the deck itself.

This view is of the upper frame assembly with a simple cross frame above for spars or an extra boat.  Details in following image and caption.
A simple cross frame member sits across the upper frame assembly to hold down the upper laser and to provide a location for spars to be transported.  An additional boat may also be transported deck down.  The upright 2x4s may be cut long to provide a side stop if desired.  It is advisable to keep the stop low if you intend on using the upper frame to transport boats as you need to be able to lift the boat over the stops.

The upper most cross frame also has a bolt to secure it.

Tie down straps are used to secure spars or the additional boat.  Spars could be stored in ABS/PVC pipes secured to the lower frame assembly if desired.
This is just another view of the 2x4 gunnels support.  This view is of the lower frame with a second hull and frame mounted above it.
The bottom frame assembly is mounted to the trailer with angle brackets.  This image is of the forward cross frame assembly from the front.....
... and also from the rear.  The brackets are not cut off below the trailer frame just because I'm lazy.

(The strange fuzzy black shape in the corner is the tail of my cat.)
The rear bottom cross frame is also secured to the trailer using angle brackets both from the back side....
.... and the front side.
The upper frames can be additionally reinforced with a section of strap at the corners.  This would be very important if the stringers were not secured with a steel corner brace but just screwed directly into the cross frames.

Each corner assembly's vertical 2x4 is cut the same dimension as the gusset but is offset about 5 inches down to create the socket joint to connect the stacked frames.
The trailer used in this image is 48 inches wide on the frames.  The axle is a few inches wider between the tires.  The trailer is about 14.5 feet in total length.  This trailer uses 5.70 by 8.00 wheels and tires.  

The rear of the cross frames is mounted at the rear of the trailer and the axle centers are about 34 inches from the back.  This provides a good balance with sufficient tongue weight. 

There is a box mounted ahead of the Lasers.  It has plywood bolted through the tongue to support the box.  The box is attached to the plywood.  There is also a spare mounted below the lower Laser.

 

 

In these photos you can see how the Lasers are nestled into the frames.  The frames will allow the spars to be transported below the hulls instead of on top of the racks if desired.  These pictures were taken before the box was added to the trailer.  The simple top frames are not installed.

You can easily observe how the frames are sandwiched together with the upright 2x4 extending below the gusset to make legs.  Each additional rack's legs fit into the space left in the gusset assembly of the rack below.

A simple set of fingers and shock cord would be used to secure the spars in this location.

It also might be possible to install PVS/ABS pipes within the gussets near the lower outside corners to hold spars.

A possible variation on the design would be to reduce the height of each frame assembly.  This would eliminate the ability to transport spars as pictured here, but would possibly make a four laser stack within height feasibility.

 

Rack 'em and stack 'em!