CONTINUOUSWAVE

Please assess the suitability of the trailer seen below in Figures for hauling a MONTAUK 17.



ASIDE: I recently bought a Montauk [17] hull from a fella that said it was a 1980. I am wondering if the trailer is an original, designed for this hull. If so I’m willing to put some money into it to refurbish. The trailer has definitely been [painted] black. It has four keel rollers and single bunks, and really cool chrome hubcaps.

This is my first post to the forum.

Back in the day, Boston Whaler sold boats to local dealers. It was the dealer that installed the engine and sourced the trailer.

In reviewing Figure 1, the tailer appears to be acceptable.

Is this trailer going to be used in fresh water only? If so, a few updates are suggested.

You should check the tongue weight and, if possible, shift boat forward several inches. If not practical, replace the bunks for longer ones so they stop at the transom.

Replace all the keel rollers with 12" non-marring rollers. Drill the shafts and add cotter pins and washers. NO cap nuts.

https://www.easternmarine.com/12-yates-thermal-plastic-keel-roller-5-8-id-1200y

Add end bells to the bow stop roller.
https://www.easternmarine.com/search/yates%20roller%20end%20bell

Consider a new LED light kit and rear guides as well.

Phil T wrote:Is this trailer going to be used in fresh water only?

I am planning to drop the boat into saltwater a few times a year. Other than that it will be for the lakes around central Alabama. I was either going to fix up this trailer and rinse it after a saltwater launch or buy a used galvanized or aluminum trailer.

I may now buy this used MAGIC-TILT trailer seen below in Figures 2 and 3. The asking price is $900. The tires are good. The axles have [Bearing Buddy caps]. The lamps have LED bulbs.

The trailer shown in Figures 2 and 3 is suitable for a MONTAUK 17 as long as the axle rating is more than 1,500-lbs and the distance from the winch post to the end of the frame is at least 16-feet 9-inches.

Phil T wrote:The trailer...is suitable for a MONTAUK 17 as long as....

That all checks out. Thanks for the input.

Decision time.

The decision is easy.

The MAGIC TILT trailer seen in Figures 2 and 3 looks suitable for a MONTAUK 17, and the price seems very reasonable. The fenders have steps attached to them which will make climbing up into the boat when on the trailer much easier than with the old trailer seen in Figure 1.

jimh wrote:The decision is easy...

Agreed. Thanks Jim.