28' 1982 Trail Rite has plywood fender wells ?

[Bounce19712]

my 1982 trail-rite which has a 26 foot Biesemeyer Day Cruiser hull on it has these carpet covered inside fender wells made of a 1'x5 foot strip of plywood on the inside of the fender well.

they come up to the same height as the steel fenders and I'm guessing they keep the boat off the steel if misaligned? protect hull from rocks when trailering?

any ideas? I'm replacing th3em with new plywood and wonder if they're necessary/

 

[Mike Zee]

Re: 28' 1982 Trail Rite has plywood fender wells ?

The Prestige trailer under my 89 Celebrity had the same set up. I took the busted up boards off 3 years ago when i repainted the trailer. Now i'm not sayin i tow a million miles per year, but i have not noticed any problems without them. I have noticed many many trailers without that setup. I think it is sort of a customizing thing. I did like the looks and now you have me thinking about setting it back up.....Thanks

 

[geneseo1911]

Re: 28' 1982 Trail Rite has plywood fender wells ?

My trailer had those, but without carpet. One of them actually fell off, and I decided it was no big deal. Very next time I loaded the boat I got a nice gouge in the gelcoat. I have since made new ones, with carpet. They almost act as guide ons on my rig. I also added some posts in the back to help load and make darn sure the boat didn't get over the fenders again.

I think the hour or two you spend on them will be time well spent. I coated mine with a few layers of exterior housepaint to make them last a little longer. Make sure to use exterior plywood. If I wasn't so lazy I would've 'glassed em so I'd never have to worry about them again.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: 28' 1982 Trail Rite has plywood fender wells ?

I agree with geneseo. My trailer has these, and they act as guides as the boat comes down on the
trailer bunks. Without them you risk damaging the chine on the boat if it hits the fenders when
loading/unloading.