Trailer swap?

[Atlasrob]

Have a 1977 aristocraft that the po put ona 91 sprint bass boat trailer. I have to much transom and lower unit hanging off the back of the trailer. I found a bigger trailer that held an 86 baretta 20 foot ski boat. I know the length would be good but should I have concerns about the bunks being incorrect locations or would the aristocraft just fit right on? I have attached a picture of the boat as it sits now and the trailer I located

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer swap?

the picture of the new trailer doesn't really show anything... WAY too low resolution....

yes you DO need to be concerned w bunk placement and fitment... most trailers have bunk brackets bolted on and are easily adjustable to fit but some are welded and require fabrication to fit properly


you MAY get lucky and it fit as is but no guarantees

 

[Atlasrob]

Re: Trailer swap?

Hmh, only picture I have, the bunks are welded on and not bolted, maybe I should steer clear...I have never welded, but maybe I could learn , trailer is only 300

 

[limitout]

Re: Trailer swap?

yep, I would look for a trailer with bolted on hardware since there is a 90% chance you will have to readjust everything to fit your boat.

we had a boat like that for many years and we found the best setup is to have keel rollers in combination with bunks and side guides make loading a breeze.

that's a beautiful boat and it will last you a lifetime.

 

[Atlasrob]

Re: Trailer swap?

Newer trailer does have Keel rollers. Thanks for the advice, it's a tough call because it turns out to be like 1/4 mile from my house

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer swap?

in that case arrange for a test fit

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Trailer swap?

You know: Your Aristocraft appears in the photo to be sitting nose high with no support under the trailer tongue, indicating way too little tongue weight. Unless the bow stop/winch is welded to the trailer, you should be able to move it forward, perhaps enough to solve the rear overhang problem. That is, assuming the trailer has enough gross weight capacity for the boat and expected load.

 

[Atlasrob]

Re: Trailer swap?

FrAnk, it is welded nit bolted

 

[bobdec]

Re: Trailer swap?

Pic 2 of 2 (current setup) looks back-end heavy, almost like you may have to much weight behind the axle. I believe you said new trailor has bunks welded, how about your current one, can bunks & bow stop be altered ? Seems that boat could be moved a foot or more forward. Pic looks like it's being held up by the engine skeg, w/o a stand on the front holding it up, or is that just an illusion.

 

[Atlasrob]

Re: Trailer swap?

Just an allusion, I was actually able to move boat up about a foot on the trailer before the 6 hour ride home when I bought it. The current trailer is just not long enough and cannot be moved forward any more.