Trailer??

M

Maketrax

New member
Hello all-

I'm new to the forum and new to boating. I'm in the market for something like the C-Dory for running about in the San Juan Islands. The 23 Venture seems like a good fit so far and I'm keeping an eye on the market.

This forum has answered many of my questions but I do have one that I'd like input on.

This boat would be kept in a slip and I don't have room for it on a trailer. I also don't have (nor do I really want or need) the means to tow it.

If I was to buy new would I even need to get a trailer for it? It seems like I could just keep the boat in a slip during the months of use and have it stored for winter. Is that right? Or do most get the trailer and just pay to have it stored when not in use?

Thanks!
 
Welcome!
If you're planning to buy new, you don't have to buy a trailer, you could have it delivered to your slip or Marina. That being said, a trailer is very valuable for several reasons. Out of season storage on a trailer in a storage yard is easier on the boat AND the checkbook.
If you need maintenance done, and your Marina isn't a service center for your brand of boat/ motor, a trailer is very handy.
Also, if you consider resale down the road, no trailer is a deal breaker for many buyers. One of the beautiful things about the C Dory is its trailerability.
( is that even a word?)

At a later date, you may want to explore other waters or inland lakes, and you can always borrow or rent a tow vehicle. Any 1/2 ton pickup or larger SUV can tow a 23 Venture.
Either way, they're great boats and come with a great community of owners.
Rob.
 
The trailer is nice for all the reasons mentioned so if you've got a reasonable place to store the empty trailer that's a good choice. Of course you can always buy a trailer at a later date if you just don't want the hassle.

Also note you can rent a pickup from U-Haul that easily tows the boat.
 
We never had or wanted a trailer for our 25 for the few years we had it. It was a little more challenging to get maintenance done but we found good businesses to work with after a bit of calling around. It was great being in the water and we used it constantly and year-round (too much it turned out).

When we decided to sell, we found a suitable lightly used trailer and used a uhaul box truck (pickups not rated for that weight) and brought it home and that trailer was an important selling point.

Now we have a trailer for the 19 so we can use it less and pursue other activities more while the boat is safely tucked away and that is best for us right now. 220 hiking miles in the last year with a now 8 year old....

Greg
 
Wow. Thanks to everyone for the quick replies. A lot of very good input.

I really like the idea of trying to get by without a trailer but there are definitely some drawbacks to that plan.

I'll have to ponder this a bit more!
 
I had a larger boat without a trailer, and the mechanic I used for some of the outdrive work etc always was able to get a trailer. Later when i got a trailer, the mechanic stored it for free, in exchange for using it to service other's boats.
 
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