Finding a great deal on a used boat can be disheartening if it is discovered that the boat doesn’t come with a trailer. Finding and possibly fixing an appropriate used trailer for a good price can mean a whole new project.
“When you own a boat in Canada,” says enthusiast John Van Noort, “and it’s sitting on blocks in your driveway in the summer, time for getting a trailer is a luxury you don’t have. The end of the season approaches very quickly.”
Toronto-born Van Noort built his own seaworthy craft at the age of 14. His uncle was a sea captain, and he knows a thing or two about getting feet wet. He says when in a hurry, buying a trailer with working lights is a good idea, as finding a loose connection can be a time-consuming nightmare. Make sure the springs (above the axle) haven’t lost their tension or have cracks in them and that the tires are in good shape. After that, he says, it’s up to the buyer how much work they want to do. Unless he has access to a welding or machine shop, the buyer is at the mercy of the marketplace, but there are a few cheap fixes that can make mid-size boat trailers more affordable.
Looking for the Right Trailer Aided by New Technology
This article, while general in nature, speaks mainly to trailers for boats that weigh between 2,000 and 2,300 pounds (i.e., 17-foot fibreglass boat with an inboard/outboard) simply because it appears they are harder to find than trailers for smaller or larger craft.
Marinas are always a good place to start looking for trailers, Van Noort notes. Aside from local newspaper classifieds, there are sites on the world wide web with pages devoted to selling trailers. They include Craigslist, Kijiji and Trailer Shopper.
When deciding whether or not to buy a particular used trailer, mentally add to the purchase price any cost of running around for parts or paint and the labour and time required, and make an offer accordingly. Time is money, and if you’re not coming away at the end after all calculations with a bargain, don’t take on the headache.
Buying the Right Size is Critical
Make sure the frame is long and heavy enough for the size and weight of boat intended for it. Sail boats obviously need a deeper berth to accommodate the keel.
The weight of the boat makes a difference as to what size wheels the corresponding trailer will need. Carrying a boat that weighs over 2,000 lbs requires a minimum of 13” tires, Van Noort says. If the right size trailer is available for a great price but it has 12” tires, it may be possible to switch to bigger tires provided the hubs, (the parts that spin and have the bolts in them that the wheels mount on) have the same bolt pattern (either 4 or 5 bolts). If they don’t have the same bolt pattern it may be possible to replace the hubs. Most 13” trailer wheels with a 4-bolt pattern have been discontinued, making them very hard to find. It will probably be necessary to go to a 5 bolt hub in order to accommodate 13-inch trailer wheels.
The hubs come in two sizes. One size fits a 1” axle, and one fits a 1- 1/16” axle. Which size shaft the hub fits on is determined by the size of the wheel bearings they are fitted with, so make sure you know the shaft size before you buy the hub.
Rollers vs Bunks – More than Just What Boats Rest on
If you are handy, buying a conveyance that has some rollers and brackets to replace may save a considerable amount of money. Rollers are inexpensive to replace and are fairly easy to install.
Deciding on whether or not to buy a trailer with rollers or bunks is determined mostly by the nature of the location the boat will most often be entering the water. Van Noort says shallow launching ramps generally necessitate rollers on trailers because if the trailer isn’t submerged it will be difficult to winch the boat up onto bunks. Bunks are used more for deep water launching ramps.
Transporting boats is probably one of the least fun aspects of the sport, but with the right trailer, getting to and from the water can be a breeze.
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