Search results

  1. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Some final responses: My formerly damaged bunk board (fabric ripped by a pitot tube mount which allowed the board to rot into a brittle mess) and transom straps angled the wrong way (pulling away from the winch, not towards it) indicate that the position isn't ideal. Yes, the other way around...
  2. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Not easily without causing structural issues and/or having to redo the bunks and a bunch of things. And I'd rather keep the length... rather, use the length differently. Seems that a different winch stand will fix it... just took a bit to find one. We shall see.
  3. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Not pointing a finger, but please read the original post again. The crux of the issue is that this trailer was likely designed for a 17ft minimum length... but this trailer happens to be what the marina had to trade for the original trailer that also fit the needs of the original owner. Just...
  4. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Did some desperation digging on FB marketplace... and found a possible winner: It's up in Chicagoland... no shipping (road trip!). Price is currently not bad either. I'll try to see if I can get any sort of dimensions on it... but I'm always up for a good road trip if it's warranted. Edit-...
  5. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I did find this unit by Die-matic: Good for up to 28" of roller height. However, it's a bit pricey ($330 shipped). I presume it's of comparable (or adequate) weight/load rating due to the manufacturer offering it also as a package with a 1400lb winch (I currently have a 1500lb BassPro winch...
  6. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    That looks like what was on the other trailer. The issue is the height of bow eye... roller needs to go above it to lock the boat down, and to do that the roller needs to be just shy of 24" above the trailer tongue. Most of those style units are only good for 12-18". But I will look again.
  7. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I saw that. But the entire bearing & seal set will be replaced with the brake addition. Nowhere near as bad as the other trailer though! The existing one has rust issues... and the geometry doesn't work in reverse as the bow roller would be way too low at max height. I wouldn't want to go past...
  8. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    As promised, attached are the "final" drawings and CAD of the obsolete fenders for trailerman trailers like the ones shown in this thread. The PDF is "traditional" drawings. I won't claim to be a master draftsman (although my dad was an Indiana State Champion draftsman in High School!), but...
  9. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Thinking about brake wire routing again... Not sure what the best option is. First things first, as a reminder, My current plan is to run two separate cables for each brake to avoid 3-way splices in wet areas (will be joined at junction box). Also of note is that the current rear light wiring...
  10. ratdude747

    Bimini top seems to have shrunk

    Not boating related, but that would have been nice to know about back when I had a snap-on tonneau cover on my truck. It was, ahem, a bit of pain to install to say the least. Same problem, same solution... I'm stealing that for my truck buddies ;).
  11. ratdude747

    Boats from work.

    Agreed. Even on my "well built" 1976 Starcraft Montego I've found areas that scream "bean counter reduction". Nothing structural (unlike the OP's case), but still. And I say that as an engineer who knows all about value engineering...
  12. ratdude747

    New boat owners leaving the hobby

    The only reason I got into boating is because my best friend's aunt gave it to me as a project. As much as we say 'the most expensive boats are the free ones", honestly, I can't say that's entirely true. I certainly can't afford a new one, and I'm a 32 year old man making what (for my area) is a...
  13. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    Once my title comes in, this trailer will be sold... already found a buyer (we shall see). For the record, per the title, this trailer is supposedly made by "Trailerman". If that's even a real company... no markings on the trailer. Anyway, I did some sleuthing. Upon review of the original...
  14. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    May have found something... https://www.ebay.com/itm/205336936410 A bit rough, but the bones are there and it's correctly sized (for a 3" trailer tongue). Period and patina correct too. Obviously the winch and rollers are junk... But more importantly, the geometry works out. Due to the way...
  15. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Took some measurements. Transom area that contacts the bunks: On the left (outer) side: Right (Inner) side: (Yeah, these bunks are a bit worn. I replaced one that was very rotten last summer... the other three are OK, I didn't replace them because I didn't know what I was doing in the...
  16. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Apparently the transom straps have been pulling the boat backwards. See attached. The way the bunks are, to reverse the angle of need to be overhanging the bunks. Not happening without a different trailer or very unusual winch post /mount geometry. I will also note that it's been run since...
  17. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I'd have to look... right now they're more or less vertical. So moving the boat backwards would help that too...
  18. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    A note that means nothing: The trailer is a 1977 build (per the trailer sticker), not 1975. 1975 was likely the original trailer; there was a messup/under-the-table nonsense with this trailer's old registration (which created a big mess when I got the trailer titled back in 2023), and I had it...
  19. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Yep, been there on the two and half times my wife and I ran the boat solo on the river last year...
  20. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    The issue warranting steps is mainly my wife who cannot climb into the boat when it's on the trailer... and can only exit if I fireman carry her out. Which means I have to be in the boat for launching, and in the event it's just us two, I have to carry her out after trailering. Not good. I can...
View older results
Top