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  1. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Thinking about brake wire routing again... Not sure what the best option is. First things first, as a reminder, My current plan is to run two separate cables for each brake to avoid 3-way splices in wet areas (will be joined at junction box). Also of note is that the current rear light wiring...
  2. ratdude747

    Bimini top seems to have shrunk

    Not boating related, but that would have been nice to know about back when I had a snap-on tonneau cover on my truck. It was, ahem, a bit of pain to install to say the least. Same problem, same solution... I'm stealing that for my truck buddies ;).
  3. ratdude747

    Boats from work.

    Agreed. Even on my "well built" 1976 Starcraft Montego I've found areas that scream "bean counter reduction". Nothing structural (unlike the OP's case), but still. And I say that as an engineer who knows all about value engineering...
  4. ratdude747

    New boat owners leaving the hobby

    The only reason I got into boating is because my best friend's aunt gave it to me as a project. As much as we say 'the most expensive boats are the free ones", honestly, I can't say that's entirely true. I certainly can't afford a new one, and I'm a 32 year old man making what (for my area) is a...
  5. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    Once my title comes in, this trailer will be sold... already found a buyer (we shall see). For the record, per the title, this trailer is supposedly made by "Trailerman". If that's even a real company... no markings on the trailer. Anyway, I did some sleuthing. Upon review of the original...
  6. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    May have found something... https://www.ebay.com/itm/205336936410 A bit rough, but the bones are there and it's correctly sized (for a 3" trailer tongue). Period and patina correct too. Obviously the winch and rollers are junk... But more importantly, the geometry works out. Due to the way...
  7. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Took some measurements. Transom area that contacts the bunks: On the left (outer) side: Right (Inner) side: (Yeah, these bunks are a bit worn. I replaced one that was very rotten last summer... the other three are OK, I didn't replace them because I didn't know what I was doing in the...
  8. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Apparently the transom straps have been pulling the boat backwards. See attached. The way the bunks are, to reverse the angle of need to be overhanging the bunks. Not happening without a different trailer or very unusual winch post /mount geometry. I will also note that it's been run since...
  9. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I'd have to look... right now they're more or less vertical. So moving the boat backwards would help that too...
  10. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    A note that means nothing: The trailer is a 1977 build (per the trailer sticker), not 1975. 1975 was likely the original trailer; there was a messup/under-the-table nonsense with this trailer's old registration (which created a big mess when I got the trailer titled back in 2023), and I had it...
  11. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Yep, been there on the two and half times my wife and I ran the boat solo on the river last year...
  12. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    The issue warranting steps is mainly my wife who cannot climb into the boat when it's on the trailer... and can only exit if I fireman carry her out. Which means I have to be in the boat for launching, and in the event it's just us two, I have to carry her out after trailering. Not good. I can...
  13. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Doing some research and took some more measurements. Seems modern winch poles are on a steeper angle than what my current one is... which actually works to my advantage. The current pole has what I'm calculating as a 39.1 degree angle. What I've found online* has a 27.0 degree angle. My current...
  14. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    After buying another trailer and finding out it's maybe not what I want or worth the effort, I am looking to see the feasbility of modifying the trailer I already have to better serve my needs. It's a 1975 Art Roll Manufacturing "Trail-R-Craft". History: This is the second trailer the boat...
  15. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Got it installed today. Other than stretching it to fit at the end (which I was able to use the existing holes and the screws to help pull and anchor while staking it down in the track), it went without a hitch. Installation was not the reverse of removal, as instead of trying to fold the lips...
  16. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    Strongly considering cutting my losses on this one. Mainly because I discovered that my current trailer already has brake flanges: So, with a brake kit (and wiring)and some bow steps I can make what I have work effectively the same (other than not having reduced dip distance). The winch...
  17. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    You're good. Saw what I needed to see.
  18. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    Close enough to the 88 I measured... so 87 or 88 probably OK. Assuming they are in fact the same trailer (and one/both aren't slightly tweaked variants made for a custom order). 88 is a common straight axle size (as is 87), so either one is believable. Edit- the keel roller setup is different...
  19. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    The only thing that comes to mind is the spring setup and if it is overslung or underslung. To help deduce where the issue is.
  20. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Looks like I'll get to reuse the old rub rail. This particular profile appears to be long gone... modern rub rails are completely different. Hoping a warm day and some silicone spray/paste will do it. Will likely put up a fight... it's a very "solid" profile: Work it with a putty knife?
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