21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

[bob johnson]

The islander I picked up for free had a decent galvanized trailer but both axles rusted away underneath is...I bought a brand new axle set up( 3500 lb galvanized axle, galvanized HUBS, and galvanized rims mounted with 205/75-15 tires. along with the spring shackles it was $575.) I had planned to buy another when I get the chance, but since I am stripping a lot of the islander, and going to make it an open utility boat... and install a Outboard bracket to mount my 115 ocean runner, I am thinking I might not need two axles. I flipped the boat myself this weekend, so it isn't that heavy. I am putting a 3/4" floor in a 56 gallon aluminum gas tank and a small side console. two batteries will be installed.... I cant believe Ill get even close to 2000 lbs. I am asking because I see most islanders sitting on tandem trailers. that cap I cut off has to weigh 250 lbs!! and all the interior wood isn't going back on the boat.. do I really need to dumb the seconf $575 PLUS fenders( my new tires didn't fit under them)...bob

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

A single 3500# axle under a less than 3500# total, including trailer/motor and all gear, is fine. Best thing to do is build the boat and weigh the rig. If you're close to 3500 lbs, add the second axle. I don't think you'll need it, but weighing is best. There should be a fudge factor built in, maybe 10%.

Looking at the 2010 brochure at the Islander 22' OB, the hull is 2032# + 2400# capacity(motor/8 people/fuel/gear) for a total of 4432#. Add the trailer and it's over 5000 lbs.

 

[BonairII]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

Looking at the 2010 brochure at the Islander 22' OB, the hull is 2032# + 2400# capacity(motor/8 people/fuel/gear) for a total of 4432#. Add the trailer and it's over 5000 lbs.

Doubtful that the OP will allow 8 people in the boat....while he's trailering it. :lol:

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

Agreed - I just read the numbers. The police man might have something to say about it too.

 

[barato2]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

you'll be fine with single axle, IMHO. you save some $ and get slightly better turning radius for trlr, while mostly giving up the security of a 2d set of wheels in case you lose a tire at highway speed. OTOH, if you're only buying 2 tires, you can afford to replace em more often and are less likely to run em til they blow.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

yeah I never trailer with more than 6 people, and I doubt my boat finished will top 1200 lbs....sans gas, motor and batteries. the reason I ask now is I found a guy who is interested in a dual axle inboard trailer....which Is what mine is...and that hurts me, as with the outboard bracket ill need to support the motor if I can...so ill want to make up some type of transom saver...but I cant have that big cut out in the trailer where the prop usually goes on an inboard. if I don't have to install another axle..i think ill just keep the one I have and mount a crossmemeber across the back of the trailer to support my motor..bob

 

[djpeters]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

My 22' Super Sport was bought with a single axle Caulkins trailer....

Handles it just fine.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

is there a bracket that can be bolted to the brace that holds the piece that pivots between the TWO leaf springs on each side?. I want to replace the springs...right now they are out of whack a little because there is no axle mounted to the front springs....I am thinking get rid of both sets of springs9 one broke anyway) get rid of the pivot arm and mount eye eye in a fixed position......or drill and bolt through the piece of the trailer frame to holds the pivot, up close to the frame and use a slipper spring ... and slid the slipper end over top that new bolt??? but it seems from memory that the slipper end of all slipper springs I have seen were on the trailing end...... hpe I didn't confuse anyone

....bob

 

[barato2]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

i dunno, but somehow i suspect that mounting a slipper spring backwards would result in some instability issues since the front of your spring would be semi unsupported.....i agree, never seen one mounted other than with the slippage at the rear.

 

[airshot]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

I have a 22' Islander, 140 HP I/O and it sets on a single axle trailer, it is all original (1983) Total wt loaded on trailer is just under 3300 lbs.
Trailer rating is 3600lbs and tires are rated at 1900lbs each. Trailer is a Magliner, tows great, never had any issues.

Airshot

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

Bob - If you mount a slipper spring toward the front, you lose fixing the location of the axle. Could lead to badly wearing tires, pivoting axle and broken springs. Get a couple of pieces of angle, weld front and rear perches and bolt it in place. In fact, you have the angle and perches already on the trailer. You just need to replace the rocker with a perch and put the slipper end in the existing rear perch.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 21 ft islander...do i need a tandem trailer?

I can just add a hanger to the back eye mount and drill that pivot hanger in the front and buy a slightly longer spring...easy peasy....I just checked my flatbed trailer and the movable eye is in the back....its just an extra bolt andf two pieces of flat metal. bob