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Author Topic:   Boat Trailer with Keel Rollers

jimh posted 03-18-2015 08:53 AM ET (US)
I just came across a manufacturer of boat trailers that still believes in keel rollers. Look at this nice boat trailer:
http://www.mayfairmarine.com.au/_lib/RT500MO.jpg
http://www.mayfairmarine.com.au/_lib/RTREAR.jpg
http://www.mayfairmarine.com.au/rt400/
With all those keel rollers, this REDCO SPORTSMAN trailer would be great for a classic Boston Whaler boat. It is too bad that these are made in Australia. Getting one shipped over here would be too much expense.
I don't think anyone in the USA is making a trailer like the REDCO SPORTSMAN model.
Jeff posted 03-18-2015 09:08 AM ET (US)
Nice looking trailer. In Australia, beach launching is much more common. This, I am sure, would drive demand for a keel roller trailer market.
Jefecinco posted 03-18-2015 09:50 AM ET (US)
I like the hand brake feature on the coupler assembly and the walkway.
I recently had a custom trailer made for my Sport 13 because I could not find a stock trailer in my area that I cared to have. The cost was higher because the trailer is feature rich. Given the features I don't feel the trailer was over priced but I wouldn't call it a bargain.
The point is that for a few dollars more you can have a trailer the way you want it from a custom builder. It is nice to have it your way.
Butch
mdono posted 03-18-2015 06:11 PM ET (US)
Have to admit, that's a nice and functional looking rig. (would)Love the walkway. Many a time teetered down the center span hoping to hook the eye without falling in some possibly cold and forbidding water.
M
jimh posted 03-19-2015 03:16 PM ET (US)
This is bit curious--I was searching the BOSTONWHALER.COM domain for some other information, when I came across this statement:

quote:
Be sure to use a bunk-type lift or trailer for long term storage of the boat out of water.
Cf.: http://www.bostonwhaler.com/Page.aspx/pageId/44535/page.aspx (in the last bullet point)

Jeff--I think you are on to something with the beach launching in Australia, or at least launching from some ramps that are not quite as well designed as the ones we have been so luxuriously provided with in the Great Lakes.
OldKenT posted 03-19-2015 03:48 PM ET (US)
Is this a suggestion to avoid rollers other than keel rollers? Or is it a suggestion not to use any rollers on the newer models? Prior literature here suggests that keel rollers are highly recommended on models from the 1970s and 1980s at least.
pete r posted 03-20-2015 07:42 AM ET (US)
Most trailers in Aus have rollers, and if you have a foam core boat you require many rollers and that ups the cost.
In Aus we don't have the terrific ramps you have so rollers make it easy when you have to quickly drive you boat onto the trailer before the next wave hits you.
The other troule with rollers is that they require regular maintenance.
The trouble with bunks they require a long ramp and there are not many of them here either.
Saying all that, I have also notice lately that there seems to be a move back towards having a combination. Rollers for the keel with carpeted bunks either side.

jimh posted 03-20-2015 09:50 AM ET (US)
FOR KEN: use of floppy-roller trailers has never been endorsed for any Boston Whaler boat of any manufacturing epoch.
OldKenT posted 03-21-2015 11:33 AM ET (US)
That [use of floppy-roller trailers has never been endorsed for any Boston Whaler boat of any manufacturing epoch] is what I understood after reading all the relevant articles on this great web site before I bought my first, late-1980's 13-foot Boston Whaler boat last year. So I added keel rollers to a new bunk trailer, and the launch and retrieve has always been very easy. Thanks to Jim for posting all the great reference material.
jimh posted 03-21-2015 01:20 PM ET (US)
On the REDCO SPORTSMAN trailer the rear section appears to be on a pivot so the section will tilt down to meet the boat at the bow stem as the boat is pulled onto the trailer with the winch strap. That is also a nice feature for loading or launching at a ramp with shallow water at the end.
Hoosier posted 03-23-2015 09:46 AM ET (US)
I have had my 1978 Outrage V20 on this style of roller trailer for 11 years
http://www.shorelandr.com/pages/t_specs.aspx?productID=855
before that it was on a home made kluge roller trailer. The hull shows no signs of dimpling. Note the design of this trailer with the articulated keel rollers forward with stabilizing bunks and then four pods of articulated roller assemblies aft. The boat is easy to launch and recover.

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Author	Topic: Boat Trailer with Keel Rollers
jimh	posted 03-18-2015 08:53 AM ET (US) I just came across a manufacturer of boat trailers that still believes in keel rollers. Look at this nice boat trailer: http://www.mayfairmarine.com.au/_lib/RT500MO.jpg http://www.mayfairmarine.com.au/_lib/RTREAR.jpg http://www.mayfairmarine.com.au/rt400/ With all those keel rollers, this REDCO SPORTSMAN trailer would be great for a classic Boston Whaler boat. It is too bad that these are made in Australia. Getting one shipped over here would be too much expense. I don't think anyone in the USA is making a trailer like the REDCO SPORTSMAN model.
Jeff	posted 03-18-2015 09:08 AM ET (US) Nice looking trailer. In Australia, beach launching is much more common. This, I am sure, would drive demand for a keel roller trailer market.
Jefecinco	posted 03-18-2015 09:50 AM ET (US) I like the hand brake feature on the coupler assembly and the walkway. I recently had a custom trailer made for my Sport 13 because I could not find a stock trailer in my area that I cared to have. The cost was higher because the trailer is feature rich. Given the features I don't feel the trailer was over priced but I wouldn't call it a bargain. The point is that for a few dollars more you can have a trailer the way you want it from a custom builder. It is nice to have it your way. Butch
mdono	posted 03-18-2015 06:11 PM ET (US) Have to admit, that's a nice and functional looking rig. (would)Love the walkway. Many a time teetered down the center span hoping to hook the eye without falling in some possibly cold and forbidding water. M
jimh	posted 03-19-2015 03:16 PM ET (US) This is bit curious--I was searching the BOSTONWHALER.COM domain for some other information, when I came across this statement: quote: Be sure to use a bunk-type lift or trailer for long term storage of the boat out of water. Cf.: http://www.bostonwhaler.com/Page.aspx/pageId/44535/page.aspx (in the last bullet point) Jeff--I think you are on to something with the beach launching in Australia, or at least launching from some ramps that are not quite as well designed as the ones we have been so luxuriously provided with in the Great Lakes.
OldKenT	posted 03-19-2015 03:48 PM ET (US) Is this a suggestion to avoid rollers other than keel rollers? Or is it a suggestion not to use any rollers on the newer models? Prior literature here suggests that keel rollers are highly recommended on models from the 1970s and 1980s at least.
pete r	posted 03-20-2015 07:42 AM ET (US) Most trailers in Aus have rollers, and if you have a foam core boat you require many rollers and that ups the cost. In Aus we don't have the terrific ramps you have so rollers make it easy when you have to quickly drive you boat onto the trailer before the next wave hits you. The other troule with rollers is that they require regular maintenance. The trouble with bunks they require a long ramp and there are not many of them here either. Saying all that, I have also notice lately that there seems to be a move back towards having a combination. Rollers for the keel with carpeted bunks either side.
jimh	posted 03-20-2015 09:50 AM ET (US) FOR KEN: use of floppy-roller trailers has never been endorsed for any Boston Whaler boat of any manufacturing epoch.
OldKenT	posted 03-21-2015 11:33 AM ET (US) That [use of floppy-roller trailers has never been endorsed for any Boston Whaler boat of any manufacturing epoch] is what I understood after reading all the relevant articles on this great web site before I bought my first, late-1980's 13-foot Boston Whaler boat last year. So I added keel rollers to a new bunk trailer, and the launch and retrieve has always been very easy. Thanks to Jim for posting all the great reference material.
jimh	posted 03-21-2015 01:20 PM ET (US) On the REDCO SPORTSMAN trailer the rear section appears to be on a pivot so the section will tilt down to meet the boat at the bow stem as the boat is pulled onto the trailer with the winch strap. That is also a nice feature for loading or launching at a ramp with shallow water at the end.
Hoosier	posted 03-23-2015 09:46 AM ET (US) I have had my 1978 Outrage V20 on this style of roller trailer for 11 years http://www.shorelandr.com/pages/t_specs.aspx?productID=855 before that it was on a home made kluge roller trailer. The hull shows no signs of dimpling. Note the design of this trailer with the articulated keel rollers forward with stabilizing bunks and then four pods of articulated roller assemblies aft. The boat is easy to launch and recover.