Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

[Joe_the_boatman]

1) My first boat (18'6" Starcraft SuperSport) & trailer. It towed fine the 60 miles to pick it up last summer (with no engine). Previous owner never launched with this setup - he kept the good trailer.

2) I can get a larger trailer (21ft, about 3ft longer than this trailer) for about $100 more (craigslist) if I sell this one. It's just the hassle of selling this one, picking up the other one 60 miles away, finding space for it, etc.....

3) I was planning on flipping the bunk brackets rearward, and thus gaining about 4-6" out back, so the transom would be supported. I'm concerned the bow is too far forward at the tongue.

4) With the paint, tires, & wiring it needs, I'd just assume pick up the other trailer rather than getting the tongue extended on this one. But, if it's not too small, I'll just keep it!

5) I know balance will be an issue, but without the engine and interior in, we're just speculating. Right now I estimate about 120# tongue weight.

Take a look at the pictures. Any thoughts?
Would I have trouble launching at a shallow ramp?
What problems could I have with having the boat so close to the truck? (F150 with a hitch, at least the ball's not on the bumper).

PS - Sorry for all the junk in the way!

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That's my new transom being epoxied!




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[bassboy1]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

I would never own a trailer with a tongue that short. I usually like a minimum of 2 feet between the the hitch and winch post. Otherwise, you can't get tailgates or Suburban barn doors open, plus launching is a pain in the neck.

 

[rndn]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

In answer to your question, no your trailer is not too short. As stated you just need to use caution when you drop a tailgate as it may hit your trailer, but it is very usable.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

Not too short, but I would probably extend the rear bunks so that they come out past the transom a bit.
A short tongue can be harder to launch simply since you have to back farther into the water. But it looks like in your case that too much longer a tongue may not fit in your garage.

You could lengthen the tongue if you wanted to as well.

Those boats aren't very heavy so weight shouldn't be an issue either.

Myself, I prefer an extra long trailer tongue to keep my tow vehicle clear of the water. Most of mine extend at least 24" past the winch stand, a few are longer yet.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

Well, I convinced myself that I should give this trailer a chance before I go through the hassle of picking up another one. So I started descaling all the rust, and it looks pretty bad. I remember the previous owner saying he got the trailer from Jacksonville; salt water use explains all the rust. I think I can do better here (Atlanta) if I swap it for another one - if I was on the coast I'd probably try to make it work.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

That scaly rust don't look to promising from what I can see here.
Did you do any probing around for holes or thin spots to see how bad it really is?
I've had a few look pretty bad but it was all surface rust and the tubing actually turned out to be half decent yet. It's the deep pitted looking rust that's usually bad here. Loose scale is often not as bad as it looks.
I had one that I scrapped last year that looked like minor pitting but after I blasted away the two coats of paint, there was nothing left but paper thin steel and lots of holes. But I had one that looked like it came from the bottom of the ocean clean up just fine with only some minor pitting. While I wouldn't try to haul a really heavy boat on it, I have no problem using it for any of my aluminum boats.

I actually replaced it but cleaned it up and painted it to have as a spare to pick up those free boats which don't have trailers, being it was a tilt trailer with linear roller bunks, it works great for that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

go with the other trailer, hopefully is has adjustable axle. i like a minimum of 3 feet of tongue, as bassboy1 stated most of my boats i have more than that. with a move able axle, and good bunks you can get your tongue length, and proper tongue weight. right now it the perfect time to change trailers, as that boat, simple can be push off the trailer, in the grass and winched back on the new trailer in a matter of minutes. then sell the exist trailer to the steel recyclers. hopefully the new trailer is galvanized.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

I would go with the other trailer but if you do decide to redo and keep this one.
Consider adding a folding tongue. That will give you the extra length you need from hitch to Winch Stand.

http://www.iboats.com/Fulton_21_Fol...4895096--**********.804573812--view_id.238098

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

right now it the perfect time to change trailers, as that boat, simple can be push off the trailer, in the grass and winched back on the new trailer in a matter of minutes.

My thoughts exactly, which is why I was trying to figure this out now. I bet the whole hull is less than 300 lbs.

This frame isn't rusted through anywhere, but like I said - for the money, I can have a much nicer trailer. Thanks everybody - I'll let you know how it turns out.... I'm waiting to hear back from the guy.

oh, and the "new" trailer is painted also.... It'll have to do for now.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

keep the rust knocked down, and rustoleum is it's best friend. stay out of salt water.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

If you install new bunks you could extend them further back to some extent. The rear axle looks to be a bit far back with where the boat sits now.

Go get a welding chip hammer and start wacking at that rust with the pointy end. It will get the loose flaky stuff to come off. And it will also let you know when the rust is coming from inside/other side as it will poke holes in the thin spots.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

if i were going to work on the old trailer, angle grinder and 30 grit sand paper.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is my trailer too small for my boat? (pics)

if i were going to work on the old trailer, angle grinder and 30 grit sand paper.

That's is what I used when I redone my trailer,angle grinder and 30 grit sand paper.Then primed and painted and re-striped the trailer to match my boat. I like the new stripe but the trailer painted cream really was just fine. But the Boss says after I had repainted it. WELL you are going to stripe it to match the boat aren't you? Graphics shop computer matched and made the stripes and put Boat name on it for me.