CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: is a LOAD-RITE trailer MODEL #LR-AB183100102TB1 suitable for an OUTRAGE 18?

I am concerned that the beam of an OUTRAGE 18 is too wide for the LOAD-RITE trailer MODEL #LR-AB183100102TB1 because the length [width] between the fenders is 82-inches and the beam of the hull is 86-inches.

Q2: what is the width of the hull at the transom at the waterline on an OUTRAGE 18?

TO READERS WHO HAVE BOUGHT A TRAILER FOR AN OUTRAGE 18: give me recommendations for a trailer.

BACK STORY. I am trying to buy a trailer for my [unspecified model year] Outrage 18. I have used a lot of the dimensions and data on this forum which have been massively helpful. But I'm having a hard time getting the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing when I get this boat an inch above the trailer from a travel lift, I'm not going to have to go back to the drawing board and get a new trailer. The OUTRAGE 18 boat is not easily accessible for me to go get dimensions [because it is stored] on a rack in a boatel. Finding a trailer for a boat has proven quite a difficult task so far.

Most boat trailer that would be suitable for an 18-foot hull will be made so they comply with the usual width limits for towing a trailer in most states that specifies the trailer must not be wider the 8-feet 6-inches or 102-inches.

The LOAD-RITE trailer you specified as having a width between the fenders of 82-inches is probably typical, as allowing about 10-inches on each side for the wheels and fenders seem about right.

It is very normal that a boat's hull will be too wide to fit between the fenders of a trailer that conforms to the 102-inch limit on width, and the hull's height above the road will be limited to the hull position being just above the fenders at the hull chine line.



Generally the lower the hull can be positioned on the trailer to be above the fenders, the better. A clearance of 1-inch is about the limit.

The position of the keel rollers and the support bunks will determine the height that the hull is carried on the trailer frame, and those supports are adjusted to bring the hull chines as close to the fenders are possible, again, about one inch.

The beam of the classic OUTRAGE 18 hull 7-feet 2-inches (86-inches), so in the case of the specified LOAD-RITE trailer, the hull will need to be carried just above the fenders.

I doubt you could find a trailer whose maximum width was limited to 102-inches that would give you enough width at the fenders to allow the hull to sit below the fender tops. At 86-inches beam, you would want at least 2-inches clearance horizontally to the fenders, so you need the fender width to be at least 90-inches. The leaves only 12-inches or 6-inches on each side for the fender and wheels.

Also, when loading the boat needing to have the boat fit very precisely between the fenders will probably increase the difficulty of getting the boat on to or off of the trailer without impact between steel and fiberglass.

Sheller wrote:Q2: what is the width of the hull at the transom at the waterline on an OUTRAGE 18?

I don't have a actual measurement to share, but the design of the classic OUTRAGE 18 hull does not have much--if any--taper in the hull beam from amidships to transom. The width at the waterline at the transom may be an inch or two less than the specified hull maximum beam because the maximum beam probably includes the projecting rub rails, which add at least an inch on each side.

There really is not great concern for the hull beam at the transom in regard to selecting a proper trailer; if there were any taper to the hull beam toward the stern, you will still be limited by the maximum hull beam encountered farther forward when you load or launch the boat on to or from the trailer.

I bought a Phoenix Trailer for my 1987 Outrage 18. It is aluminum and all bunks.

The boat sits between the fenders with a 8’6” wide axle. It is low enough to go into a 7’ high garage door. It is high enough that I can tilt motor all the way down. This was a request to the Phoenix people.

Con

Jim & Con,

This is all extremely insightful, thank you so much for breaking all of this down for me and explaining these things.

I certainly agree with what you're saying with the requirement of the boat to sit above the fenders since it can't sit between. I was VERY fortunate enough to find another member in here after doing some searching around yesterday who bought a trailer identical in dimensions, except for length, to mine. He was gracious enough to send me pictures of his boat on it, which is arranged very nicely on that trailer.

This being said, I am going to move forward with that Load Rite trailer that I mentioned previously. If it turns out to be a problem with fenders being in the way and contacting the hull when launching or loading, I will likely make them removable so that they're completely out of the way during loading/launching.

I'll try to post some pictures once the trailer is acquired and the boat situated on it. Hopefully this can help someone else who's been in a similar situation.

Unless you plan to launch and load the boat only once every ten years, your idea to have “removable” fenders sounds impractical.