Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

Freep

Recruit
Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
2
In the '60's my dad had a summer resort in the Sierras. He bought a rather unique boat that I seem to recall was called a Trail-A-Boat. This thing was fiberglass, about 16' with a decked over bow and was pretty beamy, say about 6, 6.5 feet. Rowed like a pig. Anyway, the unique thing about it was there was a pipe that ran amidships through the hull, and a trailer hitch sticking out of the bow about a foot and a half down from the deck. There were two wheels that mounted on pipes that stuck into the pipe molded into the middle of the boat and secured with pins, thus making the boat itself a trailer. Anybody seen one of these, or remember what they were called?<br />Thanks
 

miloman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 3, 2002
Messages
1,181
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

Freep I have never seen or heard of this but I would be interested to know if anyone has
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

They did exist but I don't remember the name.
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,959
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

Yes, a guy here on the upper Chesapeake Bay has one. As I recall, his was originally purchased by one of his family members back in the early 50's. The local paper did a report about the restoration he did last year. I'll try to find the article. he now enters the boat in local antique and classic boat shows. It is a very unique setup for sure! :eek:
 

Freep

Recruit
Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
2
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

That would be great! I'd really like to see a picture of one and see how they did it. It would be really interesting to build one. I can't wait to haul it down to the DMV and see how they're gonna register this one! And, if it's registered as a trailer, do I still have to register it as a boat? ;)
 

CalicoKid

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
1,599
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

I saw a boat like this sitting in outdoor "storage" on a farm near here. Only it was more like a 21' cabin cruiser with a 100hp outboard. The wheels extended and retracted through the hull by cranking a handle. I would very much like to see the owner of this one trying to hitch it up at the landing. I can imagine it takes a lot of practice to hit the ball on the truck without smashing through the tailgate!
 

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

In another post here on Iboats that I ofcourse cant find now :( I hate puters :) and software even more! I had a customer in 1989 who built one in my area and the wheels retracted into the hull and the built in trailer tounge extracted out of the front of the boat! But he couldnt get anyone to buy off on it. IE: No one wanted to build it for him. Or even try to market the idea. Mabe in the futher... Tucker was way ahead of his time with cars.. Now I see features advertising head lights that turn with the steering wheel on corners :) Tucker turns over in his grave! <br /><br />Link
 

Baketech

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Messages
15
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

Arks....if you are in the upper bay, do you know a guy named Jack Davis?<br /><br />(sorry for the threadjack)
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,959
Re: Trail-A-Boat? integral trailer

Hmmm. I don't think so, but then again I've met a lot of people over the years....<br /><br />I haven't found the article yet, but there's still a chance it'll turn up. It was in a free local boating newspaper called the "Nor'easter" (great paper, BTW!).<br /><br />Even if I DID find it, I wouldn't know how to post the pictures :rolleyes:
 
Top