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My guess is you guys with 5-6 years of saltwater trailer use are in trouble if you didn't regularly repaint the trailer. My trailer is almost 7 years old now and I think its only still going because I started religiously spray painting it immediately when I got the boat 3.5 years ago. Plus, it only gets dunked a few times a year since most of the time I don't trailer.

It's still on borrowed time though. I figure another 2-4 years is all I will be able to get out of it down in Florida (its not just the saltwater here but also the high humidity). Although, you can just keep fixing it somewhat too. I have already had to have one goal post re-welded and most of my bunks have broken off and had to be re-attached (I think the factory was using non SS bolts to attach the bunks). When I fixed my front bunk, I knocked so much rust off of the steel shelf (which holds the bunk) that I think the thickness was only about half as much as original. That is why I put a bow roller on..just in case that thing breaks.

But if one of the structural parts breaks or looks very weak, that will probably be the end of it unless I want to have a live-in welder totally restructure it.

The tricky part about (off the shelf) replacement trailers is that they seem to make the boat ride higher (much harder to launch) and don't have the very useful bow ladder.

Retcoastie - There are several fresh water ramps in Fl that are very close to the salt water. Let us know where you are going to and we might be able to find on for you.

Hey, thanks for your guidance.

I was going to start with the WCTSS New Year's Eve trip from Port of the Islands, below Naples. Then I'm open.

I want to spend some time in the keys, perhaps all the way to Key West. Around Tampa will probably be an area of interest. Bay of Biscayne looks interesting.

I would like to make some transit trips but have to get a ride back to the trailer or have it delivered somehow.

Any suggestions or trips I could join????

I keep my boat stored at
All American Covered Boat Stge
Address: 10450 Winborough Dr, Port Charlotte, FL 33981
Phone: (941) 697-9900

They are on a fresh water lagoon that is connected to Port Charlotte harbor by a lock. Very nice and very secure. A large ramp and hoist. I have talked to them and they do accept short term rentals. This is about 60 miles north of where you want to put in.

Getting a ride back to the trailer is usually not a problem as Grayhound goes to all city's as and you can rent a car, Budget or Avis. It is a hard 2 day sail from the Keys to Ft Myers. If you want to sail than drive back. Just watch the weather and get a good window.

Any suggestions or trips I could join????

How much time do you have and Do you want to be away from people some of the time? All of it??

If you have 2 months or more do the Fl Loop. This is a waterway from Ft Myers through the big lake to the other side and then you can go South.

The waterway is also a nice 1 to 3 week trip by itself especially if you have bad weather and do not want to be in the open water. You may need a stern anchor. This is fresh water and there are ramps every 30 miles or so.

If you want to be away from people or I should say - a lot of people, go to the Keys via the Everglades (i carry 30 gallons of gas so that I can do it on plane). Visit Everglades City for a day or 2 and then stay between the Island on down to Long Key. I was at Shark River around 1 Dec. Very nice with only 3 other boats there. From there you can do Florida Bay or Bay of Biscayne. Either one is a "By Yourself" Adventure with city lights to be seen at night. Try not to miss Marathon, call the city marina the day that you want to get there to see if they have a Mooring bouy if not holding is good. You can use Marathon as a home port. There is a nice bus that runs up and down the Key's and Marathon is WELL equiped for cruisers.

Please install no-see-umm netting on the hatches, keep on every when under way and wear bug spray as they can get bad very quickly