New trailer questions

[sfjtm]

I've always kept my boat in a wetslip and never needed to buy a trailer until now. I have a center console and was wondering if a bunk style trailer needs to be modified to fit the shape of my boat or is it fine just the way that it comes?

Is it better to buy one that has the hose fittings to rinse out the wheels/brakes/etc?

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: New trailer questions

yes you will need to match the bunks to the curve-shape of the hull


if in salt water or brackish water yes you need a wash down system.

fresh water no. no reason to flush fresh water with fresh water

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: New trailer questions

yup you'll most likely need to adjust your bunks....if you are lucky, where ever you are wet slipped now has a crane and they can hold the boat in the air for your over the trailer while you adjust....

 

[sfjtm]

Re: New trailer questions

What exactly is included in a "washdown system"? Is this common on most trailers (used in saltwater) or are there different options/upgrades available for them?

There are no dealers in my area for the type of boat that I have and the marina where I keep my boat doesn't have a crane. Is there anyway the trailer dealer can get the dimensions from my boat manufacturer so the bunks are adjusted properly?

Also, my marina said I could use one of their trailers for winter storage. Would they need to modify the bunks on it just to move it like 100ft and sit for a few months? Is this something I should ask them about or do you think they would already know it needs to be done?

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: New trailer questions

i'm not sure what all is available in wash down systems, as we are in fresh water. the only trailers i have seen using them, were in salt lake city ut. the best one i saw had, a female hose end to hook up a garden hose up to. this is connected to plastic tubing in the box areas of trailer with small holes drilled every foot or so to spray flood the frame with fresh water.

the marina trailers i have seen generally have two parallel, padded bunks that fit all. this and dry stacking with a fork lift seem to be the same principal. the only question i have and cant answer for you is how well they distribute the weight on the hull over a period of time. it looks to me like they would have point pressure and deform the hull. maybe not so much with a flatter fore to aft hull. some deep vee hulls seem like they fit this style better.