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Author Topic:   Trailer for Montauk 17

Jreising posted 04-13-2007 09:02 AM ET (US)
I have a 1980 Montauk 17 on an all-roller trailer right now, and I know this is the wrong trailer for the boat. Just wanted some feed back on the best setup for the new trailer I will be purchasing this month. I do a lot of trailering and want launching and loading in shallow ramps to be a painless effort. Have you heard of Venture trailers? If so, are they worth [the price charged]? How do you have your Montauk 17 trailer setup? Bunks, or keel rollers? Thanks, Jim
jimh posted 04-13-2007 09:11 AM ET (US)
I have not heard of Venture trailers.
There is a good look at one trailer rig for a Montauk in:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trailering/twoSchools.html
That article is part of a series on trailer rigging. You may find it a good read on this topic.
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trailering/
For really shallow launching and loading you may find that a trailer whose frame is hinged is the best. These used to be popular years ago, but they have seemed to have been abandoned by most trailer manufacturers. Perhaps the availability of so many good launching ramps eliminated the need for the hinged design.
blacklab posted 04-13-2007 09:20 AM ET (US)
Jim,
I have my Cohasset on a Magic-Tilt roller trailer. It is what Whaler themselves recommend as the keel is the strongest part of these craft. The trailer has 2 small stabilizer bunks approximately 2 feet long up front that the fore-chines of my unsmirked hull rests on. Two additional stabilizing bunks are at the aft end and are approximately 3 - 4 feet long. I like the roller trailer and have never used the tilt feature as I find it easy enought to launch and retreive as is. My only suggestion is to purchase some Stoltz rollers and perhaps double them up (i.e. one roller with bracket on each side of the trailer crossmember). This should serve to effectively distribute the weight a bit more evenly over the keel area. I have never heard of a "Venture" trailer, and feel that if you are really interested in a new trailer, you might as well stick with a well known brand. Quite a bit has been written on trailers and is readily available with the "search" function. Best of luck.
Matthew
Jreising posted 04-13-2007 09:58 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the info, These are good pictures and articles, but does anyone have a full picture of their montauk setup with the boat off the trailer so I can get an idea of what it should look like and how it works, Also I still have questions on the keel rollers. I talked to the boston whaler dealership and they said the weight of the boat can be 100% on the keel and the bunks just provide stabilization from side to side but no weight rests on them, Is this the case, and if so are the 2 crossmembers on the trailer suitable to mount enough keel rollers to support the weight of the whole boat.
Thanks for your help
Whaler_bob posted 04-13-2007 10:10 AM ET (US)
Venture is big in the North East. I have two dealers in the town where I work. I've had several Venture trailers in the past, and I currently have 2002 model under my 21' Seaswirl Striper. The quality is quite good, you can 10 years or more out of it with proper care.
Your choices for your Montauk are a galvanized combo bunk/keel roller type or an all aluminum bunk only- float on type. I've never used a all bunk float on type, but the combo bunk/keel roller type seem to work great for the Montauk. Don't know what prices you've been quoted, but in Feb I was offered either galvanized or aluminum for the Montauk from one local Venture dealer for $1249- $1300 including rigging.
One thing I suggest- especially if you boat in salt water... don't get brakes on your trailer (unless you tow with a very small car and/or plan on taking lots of long trips). They only last 2 years on average in a salt environment and the Montauk is light enough where brakes are normally not required. I tow my Montauk with a Honda CR-V and I hardly notice the Montauk back there, braking is no problem at all just using the vehicle brakes.

Whaler_bob posted 04-13-2007 10:54 AM ET (US)

quote:
I talked to the boston whaler dealership and they said the weight of the boat can be 100% on the keel and the bunks just provide stabilization from side to side but no weight rests on them, Is this the case, and if so are the 2 crossmembers on the trailer suitable to mount enough keel rollers to support the weight of the whole boat.

The first keel roller is on the rear crossmember of the trailer, the second roller is usually on the crossmember forward of the axle. Then there is one bow support/roller just behind the winch, so you actually have three support points. There are instructions in the CW ref section from Whaler on adjusting the bunks, but basically- lower both bunks so the boat is supported only by the rollers. With an assistant keeping the boat level- raise both bunks so they are just lightly but firmly touching the hull, then tighten em up.
I uploaded some photos of my trailer setup:
http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/Whaler_bob/Montauk/
Jreising posted 04-13-2007 11:18 AM ET (US)
Thanks, You have all been a great help I'll let you know how it all works out.
The Judge posted 04-13-2007 11:21 AM ET (US)
I always run bunk trailers but if you have real shallow ramps you are going to need rollers of some type. Don't believe the hype about roller trailers being bad for Whalers. True on the havier ones but a 17 is fine with all rollers as long as there are many of them. If roller trailers were that bad, don't ya think that 1980 would have had problems already being it is 27 years old?
Ranjr13 posted 04-13-2007 11:50 AM ET (US)
I too am looking for a new trailer, but I'm putting one under an 18' Outrage. Venture is popular in the Northeast, but if you look at the construction of a Venture vs. other "higher end" aluminum trailers, you'll find a few things - to me most notably that where the side I-beams meet the tongue, the I-beams stop abruptly, and a bolt goes through the end, through the tongue, and out the other side. I'm in the final stages of deciding between a Float-on, Load Master, or Load Rite.
Rollers vs. bunks. I'll be getting our new one with center boards - carpeted v-runners that go down the center between all the cross members and hold the majority of the weight, then obviously the standard bunks along the sides. I did an experiment with my current trailer that has rollers down the keel and carpeted bunks. I sprayed on "liquid roller" to the bunks. It is unbelievable. If you spray it on lightly each time the boat is off the trailer, you can't stand on the bunks they're so slick. They're much better support, and if maintained with that stuff, they slide about the same as rollers, believe it or not.
Brakes. I understand the salt water concern, but as a volunteer firefighter, I've seen motor vehicle accidents where the trailer did not assist the car in stopping. At a minimum, get drum brakes with fresh water wash outs. Better would be a marine grade disc brake setup that will be able to be hosed down when hosing the boat off, or the ultimate would be stainless disc brakes. I'm going with the middle option and expect they'll last many years w/o issue.
Don't skimp on the trailer - it is the most important piece of safety equipment for you and your Whaler while it's on the land.
Bob
contender posted 04-13-2007 09:25 PM ET (US)
I like the gal. trailer with stoltz rollers(a must) and bunks, The keel can hold the weight of the boat and gear, the bunks make the boat stable. Use a strap around the rear of the boat. Float on type trailers are nice quick and easy, however if the ramp is shallow you have to sink the whole trailer to launch the boat. If you get a break away type you can launch it anywhere but will take longer and more work. What ever trailer you get before you us it spray the axles, nuts, bolts, hubs with LPS3, this is the best coating I have found that will protect you trailer and hardware... good luck
fairdeal2u posted 04-14-2007 01:05 AM ET (US)
stolz keel rollers for supporting the weight of the boat on the keel. two carpeted bunks for balancing the boat. low cradle style trailer design. large steps on the front and back of the fenders to stand up on. galvanized. single springs so that you can wash them easily. If you were in CA. i would recommend DHM trailers in sacramento. shorelander makes a good one too.
fairdeal2u posted 04-14-2007 01:09 AM ET (US)
No need for brakes for the montauk. towed mine for over 15 years with just a small 4 cylinder toyota without much trouble braking. for an 18 foot outrage ...yes absolutely get disc brakes.
Teak Oil posted 04-14-2007 09:19 PM ET (US)
Yes, definitely don't get brakes on a Montauk. Unless your tow vehicle is a Chevette, that is.

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Author	Topic: Trailer for Montauk 17
Jreising	posted 04-13-2007 09:02 AM ET (US) I have a 1980 Montauk 17 on an all-roller trailer right now, and I know this is the wrong trailer for the boat. Just wanted some feed back on the best setup for the new trailer I will be purchasing this month. I do a lot of trailering and want launching and loading in shallow ramps to be a painless effort. Have you heard of Venture trailers? If so, are they worth [the price charged]? How do you have your Montauk 17 trailer setup? Bunks, or keel rollers? Thanks, Jim
jimh	posted 04-13-2007 09:11 AM ET (US) I have not heard of Venture trailers. There is a good look at one trailer rig for a Montauk in: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trailering/twoSchools.html That article is part of a series on trailer rigging. You may find it a good read on this topic. http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trailering/ For really shallow launching and loading you may find that a trailer whose frame is hinged is the best. These used to be popular years ago, but they have seemed to have been abandoned by most trailer manufacturers. Perhaps the availability of so many good launching ramps eliminated the need for the hinged design.
blacklab	posted 04-13-2007 09:20 AM ET (US) Jim, I have my Cohasset on a Magic-Tilt roller trailer. It is what Whaler themselves recommend as the keel is the strongest part of these craft. The trailer has 2 small stabilizer bunks approximately 2 feet long up front that the fore-chines of my unsmirked hull rests on. Two additional stabilizing bunks are at the aft end and are approximately 3 - 4 feet long. I like the roller trailer and have never used the tilt feature as I find it easy enought to launch and retreive as is. My only suggestion is to purchase some Stoltz rollers and perhaps double them up (i.e. one roller with bracket on each side of the trailer crossmember). This should serve to effectively distribute the weight a bit more evenly over the keel area. I have never heard of a "Venture" trailer, and feel that if you are really interested in a new trailer, you might as well stick with a well known brand. Quite a bit has been written on trailers and is readily available with the "search" function. Best of luck. Matthew
Jreising	posted 04-13-2007 09:58 AM ET (US) Thanks for the info, These are good pictures and articles, but does anyone have a full picture of their montauk setup with the boat off the trailer so I can get an idea of what it should look like and how it works, Also I still have questions on the keel rollers. I talked to the boston whaler dealership and they said the weight of the boat can be 100% on the keel and the bunks just provide stabilization from side to side but no weight rests on them, Is this the case, and if so are the 2 crossmembers on the trailer suitable to mount enough keel rollers to support the weight of the whole boat. Thanks for your help
Whaler_bob	posted 04-13-2007 10:10 AM ET (US) Venture is big in the North East. I have two dealers in the town where I work. I've had several Venture trailers in the past, and I currently have 2002 model under my 21' Seaswirl Striper. The quality is quite good, you can 10 years or more out of it with proper care. Your choices for your Montauk are a galvanized combo bunk/keel roller type or an all aluminum bunk only- float on type. I've never used a all bunk float on type, but the combo bunk/keel roller type seem to work great for the Montauk. Don't know what prices you've been quoted, but in Feb I was offered either galvanized or aluminum for the Montauk from one local Venture dealer for $1249- $1300 including rigging. One thing I suggest- especially if you boat in salt water... don't get brakes on your trailer (unless you tow with a very small car and/or plan on taking lots of long trips). They only last 2 years on average in a salt environment and the Montauk is light enough where brakes are normally not required. I tow my Montauk with a Honda CR-V and I hardly notice the Montauk back there, braking is no problem at all just using the vehicle brakes.
Whaler_bob	posted 04-13-2007 10:54 AM ET (US) quote: I talked to the boston whaler dealership and they said the weight of the boat can be 100% on the keel and the bunks just provide stabilization from side to side but no weight rests on them, Is this the case, and if so are the 2 crossmembers on the trailer suitable to mount enough keel rollers to support the weight of the whole boat. The first keel roller is on the rear crossmember of the trailer, the second roller is usually on the crossmember forward of the axle. Then there is one bow support/roller just behind the winch, so you actually have three support points. There are instructions in the CW ref section from Whaler on adjusting the bunks, but basically- lower both bunks so the boat is supported only by the rollers. With an assistant keeping the boat level- raise both bunks so they are just lightly but firmly touching the hull, then tighten em up. I uploaded some photos of my trailer setup: http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n268/Whaler_bob/Montauk/
Jreising	posted 04-13-2007 11:18 AM ET (US) Thanks, You have all been a great help I'll let you know how it all works out.
The Judge	posted 04-13-2007 11:21 AM ET (US) I always run bunk trailers but if you have real shallow ramps you are going to need rollers of some type. Don't believe the hype about roller trailers being bad for Whalers. True on the havier ones but a 17 is fine with all rollers as long as there are many of them. If roller trailers were that bad, don't ya think that 1980 would have had problems already being it is 27 years old?
Ranjr13	posted 04-13-2007 11:50 AM ET (US) I too am looking for a new trailer, but I'm putting one under an 18' Outrage. Venture is popular in the Northeast, but if you look at the construction of a Venture vs. other "higher end" aluminum trailers, you'll find a few things - to me most notably that where the side I-beams meet the tongue, the I-beams stop abruptly, and a bolt goes through the end, through the tongue, and out the other side. I'm in the final stages of deciding between a Float-on, Load Master, or Load Rite. Rollers vs. bunks. I'll be getting our new one with center boards - carpeted v-runners that go down the center between all the cross members and hold the majority of the weight, then obviously the standard bunks along the sides. I did an experiment with my current trailer that has rollers down the keel and carpeted bunks. I sprayed on "liquid roller" to the bunks. It is unbelievable. If you spray it on lightly each time the boat is off the trailer, you can't stand on the bunks they're so slick. They're much better support, and if maintained with that stuff, they slide about the same as rollers, believe it or not. Brakes. I understand the salt water concern, but as a volunteer firefighter, I've seen motor vehicle accidents where the trailer did not assist the car in stopping. At a minimum, get drum brakes with fresh water wash outs. Better would be a marine grade disc brake setup that will be able to be hosed down when hosing the boat off, or the ultimate would be stainless disc brakes. I'm going with the middle option and expect they'll last many years w/o issue. Don't skimp on the trailer - it is the most important piece of safety equipment for you and your Whaler while it's on the land. Bob
contender	posted 04-13-2007 09:25 PM ET (US) I like the gal. trailer with stoltz rollers(a must) and bunks, The keel can hold the weight of the boat and gear, the bunks make the boat stable. Use a strap around the rear of the boat. Float on type trailers are nice quick and easy, however if the ramp is shallow you have to sink the whole trailer to launch the boat. If you get a break away type you can launch it anywhere but will take longer and more work. What ever trailer you get before you us it spray the axles, nuts, bolts, hubs with LPS3, this is the best coating I have found that will protect you trailer and hardware... good luck
fairdeal2u	posted 04-14-2007 01:05 AM ET (US) stolz keel rollers for supporting the weight of the boat on the keel. two carpeted bunks for balancing the boat. low cradle style trailer design. large steps on the front and back of the fenders to stand up on. galvanized. single springs so that you can wash them easily. If you were in CA. i would recommend DHM trailers in sacramento. shorelander makes a good one too.
fairdeal2u	posted 04-14-2007 01:09 AM ET (US) No need for brakes for the montauk. towed mine for over 15 years with just a small 4 cylinder toyota without much trouble braking. for an 18 foot outrage ...yes absolutely get disc brakes.
Teak Oil	posted 04-14-2007 09:19 PM ET (US) Yes, definitely don't get brakes on a Montauk. Unless your tow vehicle is a Chevette, that is.