3 axle trailer?

[jazaddict]

the steel trailer has rusted to the point that replacement is necessary. It was a 2 axle

I'm in Florida, gulf coast.

I been scouring Craigslist, seems 24ft boats are all the rage, 26ft? Not so much.

I can have an aluminum procured for $3800. Dual axle, surge brakes, other stuff that escapes me at present.... I got a similar quote from 2 places.

I found a 3axle at one of the shops for sale on consignment . Galvanized. Fits 26 to 30. Surge brakes. $2k.

I realize this is overkill, but why not? I trailer exclusively. Typically not far, but intentions to go to the keys and other locations at moderate distance.

The bunks run parallel to the centerline rather than perpendicular....ive read that it's not a problem. true?

I saw a graphic that puts the center of balance somewhere near the aft third of the hatch....might be further aft for me w/ Etec 90 hanging off the transom....prolly moot with 33% more load area over the 3 axles.

Thoughts?
Any better Florida trailer providers cheaper?

[sailboatmike]

I can have an aluminum procured for $3800. Dual axle, surge brakes, other stuff that escapes me at present.... I got a similar quote from 2 places.

Ohh I wish we could get stuff that cheap here, we would pay between $8000 and $9,000 Au for a Aluminium trailer with a 2000Kg (4400lb) limit

[fouz]

When i bought my used trailer the PO said it was for a 22 ft boat. If you look most boats don't hang off the trailer like a mac does. The trailer worked great. I had to redo the bunks. i think i ended up spending $1400 total.

[Tomfoolery]

I saw a graphic that puts the center of balance somewhere near the aft third of the hatch....might be further aft for me w/ Etec 90 hanging off the transom....prolly moot with 33% more load area over the 3 axles.

The original axle was directly under the winch, where the black stripe comes to a point. I have a graphic on my work machine showing the location of the boat CG, but if memory serves, it's under the lifeline stanchion, about a foot forward of the axle center, give or take. I can try to dig it up tomorrow if you want.

As to three axles - I don't see any harm in it, other than more cost at toll booths, more expensive registration renewals, more bearings to service, and more tires to get old. But you could always take one off; which one depends on the boat CG location, of course.

[Ponaldpe]

"The bunks run parallel to the centerline rather than perpendicular....ive read that it's not a problem. true?"

I picked up a two axle trailer with the bunks that run parallel to center line. I is galvanized , was a flats boat trailer, seems to me the boat is better supported with more bunk area. Got it for $1000.00 central Florida.

[jazaddict]

ponaldpe - that's GOTTA be shorter 26, yes?

And fouz....22ft eh?

There's plenty to choose from that are shorter.....got me thinking about going that way.

[Ponaldpe]

ponaldpe - that's GOTTA be shorter 26, yes?

And fouz....22ft eh?

There's plenty to choose from that are shorter.....got me thinking about going that way.

I do not remember how long the trailer is I will measure it I the morning , and get a picture of the trailer with the boat on the trailer. All I had to do was adjust the bunks and winch location.

[sailboatmike]

Not sure about US laws but we are limited in overhang (Rear most support of the trailer to the back of the boat including the motor) to 1.2 meters (4 feet approx.) we are allowed longer but the width of greater than 1.2m overhang must be less than 2 meters and last time I checked my X's wide bottom was more than 2 meters (6 foot 4 inches) wide.

may be best to check the laws before committing to a shorter trailer that wont meet the legal requirements

[jazaddict]

thx sailboatmike, will do.

[Ponaldpe]

The trailer is 20 foot from the winch to the end or the trailer, the boat has 4.5 foot past the trailer. The hitch to the winch is 5 foot.

[Tomfoolery]

While I certainly haven't checked all States in the union, the ones I did check, if memory serves, state something to the effect that a load overhanging the end of the trailer by some specified distance, which isn't the same in all States, has to have a red light at night, or a flag during daylight hours, to indicate the end.

I thought MacGregor originally supplied a red light for the end of the mast for that purpose, but the manual only mentions that it's a requirement (the usual "check state laws" and other such admonishments).

I use a full set of tail/turn/stop/side marker lights on a board that slips over the OB lower unit, so I have stop lights in the faces of those who get too close, and side markers showing the extreme end of the load, making the red light/red flag requirement moot. There are also the standard 'over 80' lights on the trailer, with the required clearance and side markers and ID lights (three reds, equally spaced at 6-12" and centered on the rear of the trailer). The extra lights on the OB plug into a receptacle wired into the permanent lights, and strapped to the top of the goal post to keep it out of the water (most of the time).

I don't know why the max overhang is an issue in Australia, unless it's for the lights, which can be gotten around (in actuality, if not legally) by having a light board on the stern of the boat. What difference does it technically make, after all, where the trailer structure ends, if the boat is designed for support in discreet locations that may end far forward of the stern? Some trailerable sailboats, like the 26C's I think, have very short trailers, from the factory.

I should add that my boat and trailer combo is 30-1/2 ft from hitch ball to OB lower unit fin, with the OB tilted for transport. The rear overhang is over 6 ft, but I don't know exactly how much as I was too lazy to climb in to turn on the battery power to tilt the OB to measure. But it's no less than 6 ft of over overhang.

[Ponaldpe]

I just measured the old Mac trailer and from the winch to end of the trailer is 20.5 the boat over hang would be 4 foot, 6 inches less than the new trailer.

[jazaddict]

excellent info fellas. thx.

Let's see what I can find with this new criteria.

[Tomfoolery]

Found this on a web site about Florida boat trailer laws, though I have zero clue as to the veracity of the info on the site.

Dimensions

Florida has laws that regulate the maximum size of a boat trailer on a Florida road. These regulations ensure that other cars can safely pass a boat trailer and that there will be no obstruction of traffic. The maximum length that a boat trailer can be is 48 feet. The maximum length of the vehicle hauling the trailer plus the attached trailer is 60 feet. The maximum width of the trailer is 8 feet, 6 inches. The maximum height of the boat plus the trailer is 13 feet, 6 inches. The maximum distance that a boat can hang over the back of a boat trailer is 3 feet. (emphasis added)

I've never seen an explanation for the max overhang requirement, on any site, for any State, though. I've always assumed it had to do with lighting. I mean, what's the difference where the frame stops when the lights are at the rear?

My OB-mounted lights.

[sailboatmike]

I would think the overhang may be to do with safety, if you tail end a trailer with 6 feet of overhang you wear the motor in your face real quick