Fit a trailer to the boat?

[ozenine]

Hello, please keep in mind, taht it comes fromt he person taht never had a boat.
I have an ability to buy a boat without the trailer. So i will have to find an inexpensive trailer on CL. How difficult it is to adjust the trailer to the boat? Is it more like unscrew couple things and screw them into new places or it require complete rebuilt of the trailer.
The boat is 16 feet starcraft SS, aluminum.
I know that the best thing is to get it as the package, but this boat is pretty rare, so I could find only a hull in my area.
Thanks

 

[sbklf]

Re: Fit a trailer to the boat?

I learn as I go and now I am replacing the bunks on my trailer. I would offer a few thoughts when setting it up:
-Tong weight at 9% of total
-Bunk trailers are easier to set up and maintain than roller trailers and probably cheaper to set up as well. They also offer better support.
-I feel it is best that the transom sits on the bunk and close to a cross support.
-Position the bunks under stringers if possible. If the boat has only one stringer in the middle (in the V), let it sit on rollers and use bunks just to keep it from tipping from side to side.
-If you have contour lines on the hull and you can, position bunks against them to help position the boat in the same place every time.
-Set it up as low to the trailer as you can but still allows for loading and unloading without scraping the keel on the cross members.
-Use treated lumber and small stainless nails for the carpet and attach with galvanized lag screws from the bottom if the bunks are horizontal.
-Set the winch and roller so the strap (or cable) goes under the roller and the keel eye pulls up to the underside of the roller. This will act as a stop to keep the boat from going forward on the trailer.

 

[ozenine]

Re: Fit a trailer to the boat?

Wow, Thanks a lot for the comprehensive list! I will add this post to favorites and refer to it when i will be doing the setup. Thanks again!