c.1965 Gator Tilt Trailer - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  c.1965 Gator Tilt Trailer

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   c.1965 Gator Tilt Trailer

AaronMN posted 04-16-2014 09:11 PM ET (US)
Good evening. Two years ago I purchase my first Boston Whaler. It is a 1965 16' Boston Whaler Currituck. The trailer it came with has at least four different layers of paint that are flaking off. It did not have any information on it. I have been working on scraping the old paint off to prepare for a restoration on it. Tonight I finally had a break through when I uncovered a "Gator" sticker. Research led me to this original ad:
http://www.fiberglassics.com/images/fbfiles/images/Gator_ad_b.jpg
I am not sure which model I have, though, it looks identical to the first photo. It does not seem to have a great weight capacity (1,450 for the largest trailer).
Do I:
A) Continue the restoration and use the trailer. I assume the trailer and boat have been paired throughout their entire life.
B) Sell and buy a new trailer.
Money is a consideration. Looking forward to your thoughts.
Aaron
contender posted 04-16-2014 10:43 PM ET (US)
Is the boat going to be used in fresh or salt water? If fresh I would sand blast the trailer to check for any bad spots, getting all the old paint off, and painting it it would look like brand new. If you plan to use it in salt water, dump the trailer because it will not last, and get either an aluminum float-on type or a galvanized [steel] trailer.
AaronMN posted 04-16-2014 10:48 PM ET (US)
The trailer will be used in fresh water only.
Another follow up point: I would expect to tow around 1,500 miles per year at the maximum with trips of around 56 miles one direction being the norm.
Binkster posted 04-17-2014 07:37 AM ET (US)
If the frame turns out to be solid, you probably want to invest in new springs, axle, hubs, wheels and tires anyway. It is not that expensive, (check Northern Tools) and it is a job easily done by yourself. Now the old trailer is ready for unlimited miles.
rich
Binkster posted 04-17-2014 07:40 AM ET (US)
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-trailer-parts+ trailer-axles+axle-kits
rich
AaronMN posted 04-17-2014 11:32 AM ET (US)
Thanks Bink. Any thoughts on Leaf vs. Torsion if I am shopping around for a new axle?
jimh posted 04-17-2014 07:50 PM ET (US)
All of my Boston Whaler boating is trailer boating, and I have hauled the boat as far as 2,500-miles (one way) to go boating. Nothing ruins a boating trip faster than having a breakdown on the highway with the trailer as you head for the launching ramp. You need the trailer in top condition, even if you are never more than 56-miles from home.
As Richard suggests, it is not hard to work on the wheels, hubs, bearings, springs, and axles of a trailer. It is bottom rung mechanical work, although it is greasy and messy, and, with springs, there is the chance to cause some damage. But there is a big advantage to doing this work yourself: you will do it right (well, I hope you will), and in the process you will become expert on how to repair it, should there be a breakdown. For those reasons, I recommend you overhaul the trailer running gear. If you buy the parts carefully from the right vendors, you won't overpay for them.
jimh posted 04-17-2014 07:54 PM ET (US)
If you renovate the GATOR tilt-trailer, try to find some color pictures of the original trailer. I think they had rather cool color schemes. Perhaps some of the museum-grade Boston Whaler curators can inform on the paint.
jhomeist posted 04-18-2014 08:12 AM ET (US)
I restored a 1970 Gator trailer last year, under a Sakonnet with Bearcat 55. It was a newer model that the one in the photo mentioned above and a more pale yellow than pictured, but known to be the original color. If you restore, most of the Gator decals are available at http://garzonstudio.com/boat-trailer-decals.html
Jefecinco posted 04-18-2014 10:52 AM ET (US)
For fresh water use I recommend you stay with springs rather than switch to a torsion suspension.
Butch
jimh posted 04-19-2014 03:23 PM ET (US)
Do you have the chrome baby-moon hubcaps?
frontier posted 04-19-2014 07:08 PM ET (US)
There is a 1960's Gator Boat Trailer brochure on EBAY now (item # 151281350564). Maybe that would help.
Also, in Peter Hunn's book "Tail Fins and Two-Tones" about classic boats, there is a picture of a Gator Boat Trailer ad about their high budget research and development program - "blends and compliments the flowing lines of your car, boat, and motor to complete a streamlined symphony of beauty and convenience".
It seems a shame to just call it a 'boat trailer' :).
AaronMN posted 04-19-2014 08:10 PM ET (US)
Thank you all for the help so far.
I do not have the hub caps. If I do purchase and switch axels, I believe I wouldn't be able to use the caps anyway with larger tires. I want to say they are currently 12".
The steel is in good shape. No rust to speak of. The layers of paint have been terrible to sand down to a solid substrate, but it sure did its work of protecting the metal.
I still have to mull over the Gator yellow color. I'm not sure how that would look with a classic white 16' Whaler riding on it.
Happy Easter!

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: c.1965 Gator Tilt Trailer
AaronMN	posted 04-16-2014 09:11 PM ET (US) Good evening. Two years ago I purchase my first Boston Whaler. It is a 1965 16' Boston Whaler Currituck. The trailer it came with has at least four different layers of paint that are flaking off. It did not have any information on it. I have been working on scraping the old paint off to prepare for a restoration on it. Tonight I finally had a break through when I uncovered a "Gator" sticker. Research led me to this original ad: http://www.fiberglassics.com/images/fbfiles/images/Gator_ad_b.jpg I am not sure which model I have, though, it looks identical to the first photo. It does not seem to have a great weight capacity (1,450 for the largest trailer). Do I: A) Continue the restoration and use the trailer. I assume the trailer and boat have been paired throughout their entire life. B) Sell and buy a new trailer. Money is a consideration. Looking forward to your thoughts. Aaron
contender	posted 04-16-2014 10:43 PM ET (US) Is the boat going to be used in fresh or salt water? If fresh I would sand blast the trailer to check for any bad spots, getting all the old paint off, and painting it it would look like brand new. If you plan to use it in salt water, dump the trailer because it will not last, and get either an aluminum float-on type or a galvanized [steel] trailer.
AaronMN	posted 04-16-2014 10:48 PM ET (US) The trailer will be used in fresh water only. Another follow up point: I would expect to tow around 1,500 miles per year at the maximum with trips of around 56 miles one direction being the norm.
Binkster	posted 04-17-2014 07:37 AM ET (US) If the frame turns out to be solid, you probably want to invest in new springs, axle, hubs, wheels and tires anyway. It is not that expensive, (check Northern Tools) and it is a job easily done by yourself. Now the old trailer is ready for unlimited miles. rich
Binkster	posted 04-17-2014 07:40 AM ET (US) http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_trailers-trailer-parts+ trailer-axles+axle-kits rich
AaronMN	posted 04-17-2014 11:32 AM ET (US) Thanks Bink. Any thoughts on Leaf vs. Torsion if I am shopping around for a new axle?
jimh	posted 04-17-2014 07:50 PM ET (US) All of my Boston Whaler boating is trailer boating, and I have hauled the boat as far as 2,500-miles (one way) to go boating. Nothing ruins a boating trip faster than having a breakdown on the highway with the trailer as you head for the launching ramp. You need the trailer in top condition, even if you are never more than 56-miles from home. As Richard suggests, it is not hard to work on the wheels, hubs, bearings, springs, and axles of a trailer. It is bottom rung mechanical work, although it is greasy and messy, and, with springs, there is the chance to cause some damage. But there is a big advantage to doing this work yourself: you will do it right (well, I hope you will), and in the process you will become expert on how to repair it, should there be a breakdown. For those reasons, I recommend you overhaul the trailer running gear. If you buy the parts carefully from the right vendors, you won't overpay for them.
jimh	posted 04-17-2014 07:54 PM ET (US) If you renovate the GATOR tilt-trailer, try to find some color pictures of the original trailer. I think they had rather cool color schemes. Perhaps some of the museum-grade Boston Whaler curators can inform on the paint.
jhomeist	posted 04-18-2014 08:12 AM ET (US) I restored a 1970 Gator trailer last year, under a Sakonnet with Bearcat 55. It was a newer model that the one in the photo mentioned above and a more pale yellow than pictured, but known to be the original color. If you restore, most of the Gator decals are available at http://garzonstudio.com/boat-trailer-decals.html
Jefecinco	posted 04-18-2014 10:52 AM ET (US) For fresh water use I recommend you stay with springs rather than switch to a torsion suspension. Butch
jimh	posted 04-19-2014 03:23 PM ET (US) Do you have the chrome baby-moon hubcaps?
frontier	posted 04-19-2014 07:08 PM ET (US) There is a 1960's Gator Boat Trailer brochure on EBAY now (item # 151281350564). Maybe that would help. Also, in Peter Hunn's book "Tail Fins and Two-Tones" about classic boats, there is a picture of a Gator Boat Trailer ad about their high budget research and development program - "blends and compliments the flowing lines of your car, boat, and motor to complete a streamlined symphony of beauty and convenience". It seems a shame to just call it a 'boat trailer' :).
AaronMN	posted 04-19-2014 08:10 PM ET (US) Thank you all for the help so far. I do not have the hub caps. If I do purchase and switch axels, I believe I wouldn't be able to use the caps anyway with larger tires. I want to say they are currently 12". The steel is in good shape. No rust to speak of. The layers of paint have been terrible to sand down to a solid substrate, but it sure did its work of protecting the metal. I still have to mull over the Gator yellow color. I'm not sure how that would look with a classic white 16' Whaler riding on it. Happy Easter!