Proper Length and Width?
- Thread starter JC3
- Start date
To size up a trailer (other than the "wet" weight, which includes gas, water, batteries, options, gear, etc), you'll want to measure the straight line distance from the bow eye to the garboard drain plug. Width of the boat won't matter for the trailer (although it could matter for "legal" trailering). The length and weight are the two key factors that you'll want to figure out.
Thanks Lazy! Forget width for a minute. Forget Wt because axles rated for 5000lbs apiece. Its the length from winch to the end that has me wondering. Boat is 27ft long. I know from prior experience that I want my axles under where the motor is. So does it need to be 23ft, 25ft or what. I used to know this but forgot. Any help is greatly appreciated. JC
It really all depends on the boat. Reason I say that is because different styles of boats have different bow keel angles and/or styles of swim platforms. For example, for two "27-foot" boats that have similar aft ends, one might have a bow keel that is more "vertical". That means the distance from the bow eye to transom will be longer than the boat that has a more "raked" bow keel. It also coudl depend on the depth/height of the boat since that will alter where the bow eye is.
Unless I'm not understanding what you're saying, the first course of action is to get the measurement from eye to plug. Once you know that, you can see if the trailer will fit.
Are you looking a particular used trailer or will you be buying new? Or do you already have this trailer?
Unless I'm not understanding what you're saying, the first course of action is to get the measurement from eye to plug. Once you know that, you can see if the trailer will fit.
Are you looking a particular used trailer or will you be buying new? Or do you already have this trailer?
Lazy Thanks again I really appreciate your help. The boat I am looking at is an inboard straight shaft. Other boats of same make look like the axles are at the engine level and stern of the boat hangs behind the trailer about a foot or two. JC
You say "forget the weight" because you have two - 5000 pound axles." Don't do that. A 7000 pound boat with only a 1000 pounds of fuel, water, batteries and other goods on a trailer that weighs 1700 pounds is at capacity for the axles. Do not buy a marginal trailer. Get one that has 10% more capacity than the weight of the loaded boat. Measure your boat as close as possible in a straight line from bow eye to transom. That is the trailer length from the winch post rollers to the back end of your bunks (or take off a couple of inches if it's rollers.) Do not have your transom hanging out behind the bunk or roller more than a couple of inches. The transom requires support. All boat trailers have adjustable winch posts and axles. Forget positioning axles " under the engines". You should adjust the trailer axles forward or back to result in about 10% of the loaded trailer weight resting on the tow hitch. Make sure the axles are square to the trailer, as well. This is all very important for trouble free trailering. If you can't do the adjustments safely yourself, take it to a shop.
Last edited:
Thank you! JC
You are welcome! I have a concern with the number of boat trailers on the road either undersized or not set up correctly. This can result in accidents, premature tire wear, towing problems and even hull damage. Dealers are the worst offenders because cheaper trailers bring the package price down. They typically underpower boats for the same reason.
I had a local Trailer builder build my trailer for my 2000 310 Da. When it was built the shop missed calculated the angle of the Vee so all my bunk stands were short . I put the boat on the trailer moved the bunks out as good as I could to sit in the boat yard over the winter. The owner of Ron's Trailer was not very happy with what his shop sent me he spent two hours in the spring on his back in the gravel refitting the trailer with taller bunk supports. A good fitting trailer takes some work getting them all tuned in. The only trailer I've owned that didn't need tweaking was a stock built trailer for my first boat a 19.6 Imperial.
