Trailer Sellection

[Donald Tyson]

I may need to spec a trailer. I said I may need to. So I’d like to know what to look for. I have a narrow budget so boil it down to the most important with the luxuries at the end.
Are disc brakes worth it
Vortex Brakes
Torsion springs?
Electric over hydraulic vs surge.
What else?

 

[srbaum]

Donald,
You may want to elaborate on the specific boat that you are aiming to place a trailer under. Less weight, then less is needed...

 

[Donald Tyson]

Hi Scott, it will be probably a 24 foot inboard outboard, driven vessel of the common Clorox bottle varieties. It has become plain that we won’t be able to afford our beloved c-Dory this year. we hope to get a boat similar to a sea ray in the 24 foot range and that should hold us over for a year or two I have run into a whole lot. They don’t have trailers.

 

[Donald Tyson]

Hi Scott, it will be probably a 24 foot inboard outboard, driven vessel of the common Clorox bottle varieties. It has become plain that we won’t be able to afford our beloved c-Dory this year. we hope to get a boat similar to a sea ray in the 24 foot range and that should hold us over for a year or two I have run into a whole lot that don’t have trailers.

 

[Tom Hruby]

An inboard outboard is quite heavy in the back so I strongly suggest a dual axle trailer. After that, a galvanized trailer will be slightly less expensive than an aluminum one. As was mentioned, weight is a critical factor. The maximum capacity of the trailer should be at least several hundred pounds more than the weight of the boat plus all the gear you plan to haul. If the hull is fiberglass I would go with carpeted bunk boards. The HDPE slicks are great for aluminum but can catch sand or gravel that can scratch gel coat more than the carpets. If you are going to be launching in sea water I would strongly recommend disk brakes. Drum brakes will rust out rapidly since you can't rinse them adequately. An electric over hydraulic actuator is nice and probably safer for weights over 5000 lbs. However I have trailered 4000 lbs for 25 years with just hydraulic and have not had any problems.

 

[colbysmith]

I may need to spec a trailer. I said I may need to. So I’d like to know what to look for. I have a narrow budget so boil it down to the most important with the luxuries at the end.
Are disc brakes worth it
Vortex Brakes
Torsion springs?
Electric over hydraulic vs surge.
What else?

First off, consider how much finances you'll have wrapped up in your boat, and then consider the trailer is where your boat will live when not in use, or be transported on. I see so many folks with $50K+ boats, that want to put $2K trailers under them. That's fine for yard work, maybe. Anyway, on to your specific questions. Disc is nice if you are launching in salt, as you can get Stainless Steel. They are open and easier to flush, and do provide more stopping power. However, pure electric drums are much cheaper, don't require the brake actuator, and work just fine in water. In salt you will have to be religious about flushing them with fresh water after use. I have Torsion on my new trailer, but all my 22 trailers had springs, which seemed to work fine. EOH is going to be the most expensive. EOH or straight electric is going to give you a lot better control than surge. Straight electric is also cheaper to maintain than surge. EOH allows you to run SS discs. You do need a brake controller for either electric or EOH. Bunks are better than rollers for support. Make sure the trailer is more than capable of supporting the weight of the boat. Twin Axle is better for longer and more towing. But single axle will be cheaper on the smaller trailers.

 

[thataway]

Let's just say that Colby and I have disagreed on the pure electric brakes--maybe OK in fresh water--I understand Colby's experience has been good, and I know him to be compulsive about washing them down.

I go with disc, SS if possible. Surge for that size, unless you are going up and down mountains. I also like E/H for towing in high traffic areas--they can stop faster. Also if you weight of trailer is over 6800# in many Canadian Provinces you have to be able to control the trailer brakes from the truck cab--that pretty much dictates E/H brakes. I have put E/H on a heavy duty C Dory 22 trailer which did not come with any brakes.

 

[Donald Tyson]

Thank you all for reflecting on these choices with me. I was supposed to have a C-Dory this year. Certain finances haven't matured in time and I'm not going to sit another year letting you all have the fun. We'll see what comes along.

Should I need one I'm probably going to work with Venture Trailers. I do plan to go into Montreal and Quebec a few times. As far as Mountains? Well I'd like to do a few big reservoirs/bays in Idaho, California and Utah, but that would be one time only. The rest of my time will be spent up and down the east in both salt and Fresh.


I'll probably go with a Galvanized trailer with 100000 mile bearings and EoH brakes. This model Venture already has Disc brakes. I don't know if I will go for torsion bar suspension...If it cost extra then unlikely.

I'm hoping to find a boat/trailer combo used and already nicely attired. So far I've seen some nice combos and also some junk.

Thanks Again

 

[colbysmith]

Thank you all for reflecting on these choices with me. I was supposed to have a C-Dory this year. Certain finances haven't matured in time and I'm not going to sit another year letting you all have the fun. We'll see what comes along.

Should I need one I'm probably going to work with Venture Trailers. I do plan to go into Montreal and Quebec a few times. As far as Mountains? Well I'd like to do a few big reservoirs/bays in Idaho, California and Utah, but that would be one time only. The rest of my time will be spent up and down the east in both salt and Fresh.


I'll probably go with a Galvanized trailer with 100000 mile bearings and EoH brakes. This model Venture already has Disc brakes. I don't know if I will go for torsion bar suspension...If it cost extra then unlikely.

I'm hoping to find a boat/trailer combo used and already nicely attired. So far I've seen some nice combos and also some junk.

Thanks Again

Hey Don,
My first boat was a pontoon. I also had very young children at the time. It was a lot of fun on the local lakes and rivers. I had a full enclosure made for it, so it was like a soft top house boat. Even had a porta potty that fit under the seat. Was a great platform for cruising and fishing on protected waters. Maybe worth your consideration as well. My next boat was an older Searay 268 Sundancer, with a big ol' Mer 454. Thing was a pig in the water. Heavy, and maybe due to my own lack of experience, not all that comfortable in the bigger rough waters of Lake Michigan. It was considered a basement boat, as the berth was downstairs. Both of those boats were under $20,000. I bought the pontoon (21' BassTracker Party Barge) new, and the SeaRay used. The pontoon was much lighter than the SeaRay, and if I remember was under 5000 lbs on the trailer. So easily pulled with any SUV rated to that. The Searay was 10,000 lbs on the trailer. There are some newer 3 tube pontoons out that can handle near shore on the Great Lakes. Just a few suggestions for you. As for the trailer you mention above, I think as long as it's in good shape, you'll be more than happy with it. I really don't know how much cost torsion adds, but springs have been around a long time. Good luck with your decision. Colby
P.s. BTW, regarding IO's. My Searay was an IO. PITA to winterize, due to the engine being in a tight bilge. You also have to worry about the exhaust and gimble bellows. I swore I'd never own an inboard engine again. The outboard is easily accessible to work on, and basically to winterize you put the engine down and let the water drain out.

 

[Donald Tyson]

Colby I've been through all the emotions of the choices. I will likely get a cheap Chaparral Or Sundancer in the 24' range(240). As far as Pontoon Boats. I like them on lakes and they're great aquatic platforms for Panfish and grandkids. I've seen the full covers on these boats and that is what I'd like too. But I'd like to know that there is no way a blow with allot of fetch comes along when I have that bid campertop up. I think I feel comfy after many testimonials from owners of these vessels though typical of this crowd they don't tow and few of them loop. I would only be using this boat for short vacations But in one fell swoop I get AC, Heat, Bathroom, Camper top, and so much more. All this for about half or less than a C-Dory. The cabin is weatherproof and comfy. Best part is that when the stars align and I get my CD the cabin the old cruiser will be easy to dispose of by either selling it or by handing it off to one of the family. If I buy one of these It is merely to buying time. I have the funds to pay professionals to replace the bellows and risers though there are a few family members whom I may work with.
It has become obvious to me that I will be needing a 25 or 26 C-Dory. That'll take a while.
Thanks Colby, I know you have my best interest at heart.

 

[colbysmith]

Colby I've been through all the emotions of the choices. I will likely get a cheap Chaparral Or Sundancer in the 24' range(240). As far as Pontoon Boats. I like them on lakes and they're great aquatic platforms for Panfish and grandkids. I've seen the full covers on these boats and that is what I'd like too. But I'd like to know that there is no way a blow with allot of fetch comes along when I have that bid campertop up. I think I feel comfy after many testimonials from owners of these vessels though typical of this crowd they don't tow and few of them loop. I would only be using this boat for short vacations But in one fell swoop I get AC, Heat, Bathroom, Camper top, and so much more. All this for about half or less than a C-Dory. The cabin is weatherproof and comfy. Best part is that when the stars align and I get my CD the cabin the old cruiser will be easy to dispose of by either selling it or by handing it off to one of the family. If I buy one of these It is merely to buying time. I have the funds to pay professionals to replace the bellows and risers though there are a few family members whom I may work with.
It has become obvious to me that I will be needing a 25 or 26 C-Dory. That'll take a while.
Thanks Colby, I know you have my best interest at heart.

We did week or longer trips on the pontoon. I still remember anchored against a beach on the Mississippi River with tornado warnings around us, and the wind first howling one way (off shore) and then later the other. I remember looking up at the tall trees and trying to figure if they fell, would they be far enough away not to fall on me. The camper top made a lot of noise, but I was anchored sideways to shore, and never had any problems. I was also on the river with a lot of wind, and again, the boat and motor was able to overcome the windage. I did also enjoy our SeaRay. But it was not the same as the pontoon, and by then the kids were older and didn't do many over nighting trips with us. Most my heavy weather/water experience has been gained with the C-Dory. Which actually feels a lot more sea worthy. But again perhaps that's with my past experience. Maybe the SeaRay would have felt more sea worthy, if I had kept it longer... Really all depends upon how you plan to use it. I see pontoons all the time out on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. But not more than about 5 miles off shore. And with waves under 2'. In looking back, I probably got more use out of the Pontoon than I did the Sea Ray. But the C-Dory is by far the best boat I've had. Sounds like a 24' Chapparel, or the likes, would be good to tie you over until you can move into a C-Dory.

 

[Donald Tyson]

I hope to have, or I hope one of my kids eventually has a Pontoon boat. They're just too useful to ignore.
I didn't think I'd have to wait for a C-Dory. But the retirement severances are an issue for 2025 and maybe 26.
I was talking to a very prominent Mid-west SeaRay dealer. He has had them many many years. He said that the 240 is very capable, in experienced hands, in over 6 foot waves and he may be right. He claims to have done it often. I reminded him that my "Portable Pantry" (my Stomach) would likely not hold up in waves over 2-3'.
So whether on a Pontoon, a CD or a Deep Vee production boat the rule is still "pick your weather, make sure you're felling well proceed carefully.
I got into some snot in my Carolina Skiff 24 a few years back and it was okay (Raritan Bay near the Highlands). I would have preferred a Dee Vee that day.