trailering
 

I was considering trailering the boat this year, would like to hear the pros and cons,. and how many people trailer their boats?

nuff said.........$hit happens..........

With the right tow vehicle and a good trailer it's not too bad with a 24 footer. Make sure your tongue weight is correct.

Be careful where you store the boat, as theft is easier with this set-up.

Make sure your insurance writer knows of your new situation and the trailer is covered too.

Good luck!

I tow my 33' PowerPlay with a F350 PSD and have no problems unless the truck is broken :rolleyes: Make sure your hitch is rated properly and you tow withing your GVWR or you'll have insurance problems if you ever need it. Don't skimp on the equipment and your in for a great time!!

Stupid question....how else would you move it to use it? :)

Buck

Been trailering for 6 to 7 years now. For the first 3 years I lived 10 minutes away from the ramp.(CAKE WALK) Now it takes me 30 min. I've got the wife trained in performing all necessary tasks to make the job flow. It helps if the ramp you use is good, but remember there alot of people out there that think they know how to trailer, launch, etc. correctly. By the way 38' Scarab, towed by a Ford F-350. My 2 cents.

Only hauled a boat once over a long distance - from Chatanooga to the OK - TX boarder. S***t happens and you learn - get good equipment. Can't say that I really enjoyed any of it - except for the fact that I was trailering a bad azz boat. Now I trailer it about a mile to the ramp - nice and slow.

I love trailering mine.....Mainly because I have proper equipment and by bringing the boat home I get to store it INDOORS!!!!!!! Nasty, rainy weekend....no problem, I can still go out and work/play with something on the boat. Trailering is like buying a much smaller/larger vehicle, you get used to it and it becomes no problem.

BTW: 382 Formula, F-350 dually

the trailering is not the problem it is the aholes at the boat ramp that are the worst part!

Never left a boat in the water more than a week , usually not even overnight , in other words , always trailered. Like everybody else stated , use the right equipment and no problem Mon:cool:

27 Fomula and F350 EXCAB PSD SRW

We keep our boat on a dry davit at the marina during the summer and they simply put it in the water with a fork lift when we want to use it. It stays on the trailer in the winter and we also trailer it when we want to take it anywhere else. Trailering is no problem as long as you take your time and take care of your equipment.

Pete 330 - 45' Apache

I have pulled a boat since I owned one, no problem if set up correctly. I pull a 38 PQ with a 2005 Duramax and pull 30 minutes every week to 4.5hours (LOTO) at least once a month. Good luck.


Rich.

I always trailer. A couple pointers, practice launching the boat go to the ramp at off hours and get a routine down. Find out how deep the trailer needs to be and are you going to drive the boat on the trailer? Also a prelaunch is needed for dock lines, fenders, drain plug, blower etc.... When pulling out I always wipe the whole boat down while my wife picks up the inside, keeps it clean for next time. On a busy weekend your fellow boaters will be happy you can get in and out fast. Check where you can get fuel for the boat, make sure the truck and trailer can get in and out of the station.

I always trailer. No problems with a 37' Active Thunder behind a F-350 4x4 Dually.

As long as you have the right equipment, you are golden. There is no such thing as "too much truck." 4x4 is a MUST!! Some ramps are slicker than ice when wet and full of algae. Don't skimp on your trailer either. It will bite you in the end.

guys thanks for the advise , the boat launch is about 5/6 miles from my house, and would be pulling my 24 with a ford expedition 5.4. the only thing ill miss from keeping it in the water is my short blasts to the bar/resturant. I guess ill just use it on weekends and make sure i make a whole day of it , definatly going to miss hanging around the marina with my freinds. I just had the boat redone and would like to keep it looking nice and also ive been pinching out of the dock space fund on extras for the boat, and plan on getting a custom made full cover instead

I've done both. I think trailering is better for the boat then wet docking for sure. I live less than a mile from the ramp too. Towing 29 scarab with the same expy , boat weighs 5500 and 1500 for the trailer I'm still under. Peeps at the ramp freak and ask If I need help when I show up by myself but I have the routine down and find it easy to launch and retrieve with the float on trailer I have. Tow across jersey for a fresh water flush in the delaware and a ride to philly once in a while. No problem on the highway.

I also trailer mine. Like others have said , make sure to maintain your equipment so you don't have any problems on the road. I like the versitility of being able to go anywhere I want. Like t500tps, mine also is kept indoors and is great for keeping it like new. If going somewhere new get a map of the lake to check depth or just ask the fishermen for hazzardous spots.
Hot Duck...........NICE RIG , WOW!!

My only suggestion is that you find a nice smooth ramp with a courtesy dock along it. I backed the boat within a foot of the ramp and guide it by hand myself and tie up while I park. This way you can float it on by hand and never have to worry about needing two people for anything.

It took me no more time to trailer my 28 Pantera and put it in the garage than it did to tie it up and cover it in my slip. Same with launching it. Other than the occassional 15 min wait at the ramp, I prefer to trailer. In other areas though, I hear the ramps are packed and waiting can be hours.