Research Boat Trailers
You spent a lot of money on your boat, so you should make sure that you choose an appropriate boat trailer. Doing so will ensure the protection of your boat. As with all aspects of boating, take the time to research boat trailers.
Buying a boat is a dream come true for many. They provide a great outlet for getting away from it all, kicking back and relaxing. Buying the boat, however, isn't where the shopping ends. Boat trailers are necessary purchases for anyone that wants to transport their new purchase from lake to lake or sea to sea. These handy devices aren't one size fits all though.
Buying boat trailers isn't at all unlike buying a boat itself. The options on the trailer market are pretty plentiful and some research will be necessary to make sure the trailer purchased is the right one for the boat in question. A trailer than handles a John boat, for example, likely won't be the best for hauling a cabin cruiser. Trailers can run the gamut, too, from those with every imaginable bell and whistle to more simplistic versions. What works and what doesn't for a particular boat and budget will be the biggest questions to address in advance.
Boat trailers are sold in two basic types: bunk and roller. Although the bunk trailer is generally considered superior for riveted aluminum boats due to their thin hulls, most boats can be equally supported on either type of trailer. The major difference has to do with how you will load your boat into and out of the water.
Your choice of boating marinas may help you choose between the basic types of boat trailers. A roller trailer is generally preferred if you will mostly load and unload your boat in shallow water. The drive-on, drive-off configuration makes it unnecessary to back very far into the water.
By contrast, the bunk trailer's float-on, float-off configuration makes this type of trailer ideal for those who will mostly load and unload in deeper water. You will need to back the trailer fairly far into the water. Bunk trailers are generally less expensive than roller trailers. Combination bunk-roller trailers can also be found, combining the best of both technologies. These are generally the most expensive boat trailers.
The size of the boat is a paramount concern when looking at trailers. It's important to make sure the boat you've purchased will fit snuggly on the trailer. Look at manufacturer recommendations on size and weight before choosing a particular trailer over another. A proper boat trailer usually measures about 2 feet longer than your boat. When determining boat length, do not include the extended swim platform. Although many manufacturers include it when providing a boat's LOA (length overall), boat trailers support ends at the hull's running surface. Remember to include the bow pulpit in your length calculations if the boat has one. When considering boat weight, look at wet weight. Some manufacturers do not include wet weight in their published data, so find out how much the boat weighs fully loaded with fuel (8.5 pounds per gallon), water (6.5 pounds per gallon), batteries, engine, and everything else it carries while on the boat trailer. A tandem axle boat trailer may better carry the load if your boat weighs more than 3,500 pounds.
You will also need to decide what type of material you wish to use for your boat trailer. Both galvanized steel and aluminum have their own pros and cons. Galvanized steel is rust-resistant but not impervious to decay. Aluminum will not rust, but will corrode into a fine white powder. Aluminum's flexibility makes some boat owners question its strength. Lightweight aluminum I-beam boat trailers have the best strength-per-weight ratio, but offer less protection than a tubular design. Run lines in plastic conduit for protection. Tubular box frame boat trailers, the most solid option, offers the best protection for wiring and brake lines. C-channel boat trailers are generally least expensive and work fine for lightweight boats. Run lines in plastic conduit for protection. Contact your local Department of Transportation office (www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm) to find out what trailer laws apply in your area before making your final boat trailer purchase decision.
Get to know your trailer - it's your boat's best friend. Some additional things to consider when looking at boat trailers include... More Research
You spent a lot of money on your boat, so you should make sure that you choose an appropriate boat trailer. Doing so will ensure the protection of your boat. As with all aspects of boating, take the time to research boat trailers.
Buying a boat is a dream come true for many. They provide a great outlet for getting away from it all, kicking back and relaxing. Buying the boat, however, isn't where the shopping ends. Boat trailers are necessary purchases for anyone that wants to transport their new purchase from lake to lake or sea to sea. These handy devices aren't one size fits all though.
Buying boat trailers isn't at all unlike buying a boat itself. The options on the trailer market are pretty plentiful and some research will be necessary to make sure the trailer purchased is the right one for the boat in question. A trailer than handles a John boat, for example, likely won't be the best for hauling a cabin cruiser. Trailers can run the gamut, too, from those with every imaginable bell and whistle to more simplistic versions. What works and what doesn't for a particular boat and budget will be the biggest questions to address in advance.
Boat trailers are sold in two basic types: bunk and roller. Although the bunk trailer is generally considered superior for riveted aluminum boats due to their thin hulls, most boats can be equally supported on either type of trailer. The major difference has to do with how you will load your boat into and out of the water.
Your choice of boating marinas may help you choose between the basic types of boat trailers. A roller trailer is generally preferred if you will mostly load and unload your boat in shallow water. The drive-on, drive-off configuration makes it unnecessary to back very far into the water.
By contrast, the bunk trailer's float-on, float-off configuration makes this type of trailer ideal for those who will mostly load and unload in deeper water. You will need to back the trailer fairly far into the water. Bunk trailers are generally less expensive than roller trailers. Combination bunk-roller trailers can also be found, combining the best of both technologies. These are generally the most expensive boat trailers.
The size of the boat is a paramount concern when looking at trailers. It's important to make sure the boat you've purchased will fit snuggly on the trailer. Look at manufacturer recommendations on size and weight before choosing a particular trailer over another. A proper boat trailer usually measures about 2 feet longer than your boat. When determining boat length, do not include the extended swim platform. Although many manufacturers include it when providing a boat's LOA (length overall), boat trailers support ends at the hull's running surface. Remember to include the bow pulpit in your length calculations if the boat has one. When considering boat weight, look at wet weight. Some manufacturers do not include wet weight in their published data, so find out how much the boat weighs fully loaded with fuel (8.5 pounds per gallon), water (6.5 pounds per gallon), batteries, engine, and everything else it carries while on the boat trailer. A tandem axle boat trailer may better carry the load if your boat weighs more than 3,500 pounds.
You will also need to decide what type of material you wish to use for your boat trailer. Both galvanized steel and aluminum have their own pros and cons. Galvanized steel is rust-resistant but not impervious to decay. Aluminum will not rust, but will corrode into a fine white powder. Aluminum's flexibility makes some boat owners question its strength. Lightweight aluminum I-beam boat trailers have the best strength-per-weight ratio, but offer less protection than a tubular design. Run lines in plastic conduit for protection. Tubular box frame boat trailers, the most solid option, offers the best protection for wiring and brake lines. C-channel boat trailers are generally least expensive and work fine for lightweight boats. Run lines in plastic conduit for protection. Contact your local Department of Transportation office (www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm) to find out what trailer laws apply in your area before making your final boat trailer purchase decision.
Get to know your trailer - it's your boat's best friend. Some additional things to consider when looking at boat trailers include... More Research