New trailer suggestions for my 20' (Seafari)?

[JUST JOHN]

So we had an "exciting" Saturday of boating. We lost a cushion on the way to the ramp; despite looking on our return trip, I haven't retrieved it yet. Not worth dying over lol... On the way home the DS trailer fender hardware gave way and was dragging on the tire and smoking and making a racket. Caught it right away and did an emergency stop to tie it up. So it's just a sign that this thing needs work or replacement sooner rather than later!

Oh, and I'm having trouble restarting my OB after it's warm (flooded!?), and I snapped my VHF mast also on the way home. Never a dull moment boating!

[AyeSpy]

We built a lobster boat with outriggers on it. We took the owner out a few times and got him familiar with the boat, and the first time he took it out, on the return, he forgot that he had the outriggers standing straight up. We were just up the creek on the dock having a cocktail when we heard the noise. He was half way under Shem Creek Bridge and couldn't go any further. He tried to back down, but the outriggers wouldn't let him go there either. Had to cut them loose!

Anyway, not to go against a Senior Member's advise, but... First, put 3X12 Cypress Bunks covered with nylon carpet on the trailer. Set the bunks out as far as you can to accommodate the deadrise at the chines. That will raise the hull above the cross members, and give you incredible loading ability. It will also give you more security with less "Rollback". You might still have to put something on the first cross member to keep the fore head of the bow from hitting it, but I've never had a problem with it with the trailer being half way in the water. Rollers like to make indentions in the hull, where bunks will ride along with the stringers. Give it a try, and if you don't like it, you can always convert it back. Next is to put torsion springs on the trailer. I replaced my single axle with a dual axle, 4 inch frame Fastload, and it's like butter... It almost looks like I know what I'm doing when I launch and retrieve at the ramp!

Now... What kind of motor do you have?

Chris.

[Fr. Frank]

Listen to Denny! He's absolutely correct!
The type of trailer needed depends upon the launching conditions. For steep launches, only a roller-type trailer will do.
I love my drive-on type trailer, but I'm in Florida, where a 10% grade ramp is considered very steep. I've seen boat ramps in New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts that had to be 14% grade or more. To drive on a 20' Seafari onto a bunk-type traier up a ramp like that would take 300 hp!
I helped a friend recover his 23' SF in RI after he was towed a different ramp than the one he launched from. That ramp was about 15% grade, and with a blown motor, his strap-winch could not pull his boat up onto his bunk trailer. We were eventually assisted by another boater who had a 4x4 with a 9K bumper winch which we ran through a snatch block at the base of the winch stand.
There are lots of steep ramps in the NE, for which roller trailers are ideal. But the advice about not dunking the trailer and letting the rollers do the alignment work is good advice, as well.

[FishStretcher]

I am happier with my single axle aluminum bunk trailer than my dual axle roller, mostly because it's easier to load. (and newer, but I do prefer the bunks, even in the northeast.)


I also added "goal posts" and the trailer lights are up there so they don't rot out.

[JUST JOHN]

Originally Posted by AyeSpy

Now... What kind of motor do you have?

Chris.

Thanks for the input guys. busy week so I haven't made any moves on my trailer decision. Motor is a 2004 Johnson 150 O/B. The problem was a bad optical sensor. All fixed now, but haven't been out in a few weeks. Hopefully Saturday!

The type of trailer needed depends upon the launching conditions. For steep launches, only a roller-type trailer will do.

Tough to say whether my "home ramp" is steep or not... I do like my roller trailer and its versatility.

I also added "goal posts" and the trailer lights are up there so they don't rot out.

That's a nice feature to have!

[SailorChlud]

I have a Johnson 115HP 2002 version of that motor, and my optical sensor needed replacement about a year or so back. You are in good company. Hope to go for a jaunt again this Saturday with my boys. Cheers!

[JUST JOHN]

Anyone have pics of their Owen & Sons trailers?

Busted a leaf spring and fender ended up on tire, smoking... cut off fender before I realized the true root cause... and two successful (dangerous!) days out in blissful ignorance lol.

Prices went up since I inquired last year, sadly like everything else. I do need to fix my current trailer if I'm to salvage the boating season up here in NY.