Trailers for a '23 Scepter

BigLew · #1 04-06-2007, 02:09 PM

Who better to ask than the "PRO's!"

I am going to be in the market for a trailer for the SC. From time to time, I have noted some difference in the comments regarding roller vs. bunk style trailers and even some comment as to the area of the country having to do with the selection of which is best.

I would be interested in everyone's thoughts and experience of both so that I can begin to make some sort of educated guess as to which might be best for my situation:
'23 Scepter w/ 260 I/O Volvo to be used/launched here in the New England / Mass. area.

rockdoc · #2 04-06-2007, 02:39 PM

One thing I've done is to ask as many of the local trailer dealers as I could, to get a consensus of what works in the area. Nobody I've talked to has recommended a bunk trailer, at least on the Cape (Cod) or Nantucket. They all say roller, because of the tides and the various ramps.

rockdoc

jongolds · #3 04-06-2007, 06:20 PM

Good advice. See what every one else is using in the area. Bunks are cheaper, less maintenance and provide better support so if every one has rollers, it's probably because you need them.

My Tsunami came with a bunk trailer. I couldn't get the boat on or off more than 2 hours off peak tide. Between that and the need to add brakes I opted to go with rollers when I replaced it. I slip the boat for the season but when I need to pull it out for maintenance or repairs, I can't wait for a weekend day where the tides are convenient to pull the boat. I needed the flexibility of the rollers.

I spent all summer looking for a used replacement with no luck and finally ended up spending about $3.3k for a Venture AL trailer with disc brakes on both torsion axles.

BigLew · #4 04-06-2007, 10:32 PM

1973Tsunami,
You make some interesting points. I have been part of many launchings from a trailer here is the north and nearly all the trailers have been roller of roller/bunk combos.

I remeber a trailer we had as a kids with a 15' "motor/sailer" on it. It had a lever to lift some aft bunks up to take the load off the keel. There was a couple of forward bunks set as vee's that would support the bow sections, but something like that with a 23 with a gross weight with gear and fuel weighing some 5000+ pounds is an impossible dream.

I hope that others keep the thoughts coming. I still like the bunk idea. Not because of the cost, rather the long term impact on the hull. Maybe I am not that concerned because my employment is not quite that hard and fast with reard to 9 to 5. If you know what I mean.

Thanks for your comments.

BigLew · #5 04-06-2007, 10:33 PM

1973Tsunami,
You make some interesting points. I have been part of many launchings from a trailer here is the north and nearly all the trailers have been roller or roller/bunk combos.

I remeber a trailer we had as a kids with a 15' "motor/sailer" on it. It had a lever to lift some aft bunks up to take the load off the keel. There was a couple of forward bunks set as vee's that would support the bow sections, but something like that with a 23 with a gross weight with gear and fuel weighing some 5000+ pounds is an impossible dream.

I hope that others keep the thoughts coming. I still like the bunk idea. Not because of the cost, rather the long term impact on the hull. Maybe I am not that concerned because my employment is not quite that hard and fast with reard to 9 to 5. If you know what I mean.

Thanks for your comments.

oldfielder · #6 04-06-2007, 11:42 PM

I fish my 23 out of a harbor with big old tidal range and very varied launching conditions. The venture I have has been a dream. Perfect loading and launching every time. Get as many rollers as you can afford for more support and remember, a lot of these hulls have been sitting on trailers for many, many years and don't seem to have had too many ill effects from the trailer. When I cut through the hull to install my washdown thru-hull, I couldn't believe how thick the glass was, so I think rollers will support the old girl just fine.