Correct sizing of trailer to boat?

[SoCalPescador]

This boat is new to me....

I have a new to me 2017 Alumacraft V16. It has a 2017 Yamaha 25 and a 2017 Karavan trailer.
Total weight for boat and motor: 500#
Battery, fuel, accessories: 300#
Total package: 800#


All three were sold new as a package from Cabelas.
They have been all together since 2017 and have been towed at least 5000 miles over the past 5 years; apparently with no issues (reported to me by previous owner).

The trailer is the smallest boat trailer Karavan makes.

Single Axle 1250# Bunk Trailer | Karavan Trailers

Our Single Axle 1250# Bunk Trailer is well matched with small fishing and jon boats. QuietTow™ and SwayControl™ ensure superior road performance.

www.karavantrailers.com

Alumacraft V16 Specs/Dimensions/Capacities:

V-Series: Aluminum Utility Boats 2025 Models - Alumacraft

Made tough with sturdy rivets, V-Series boats are surprisingly light. They are easy to tow or carry giving you great maneuverability in & out of the water.

www.alumacraft.com

Based on the boat specs, is the Karavan trailer appropriate for the boat?

NOTES (see attached pics):
The bow of boat is approximately 20" from coupler end.
The sides of hull, at chine, are approx. flush with outside edge of fenders/tires (hull above fenders).
Bunk boards are 2"x4"x5'. I adjusted the boat forward so that the rear part of boards stick out past hull 2".

I was planning on adding a Fulton Fold away tongue and add 2'-3' feet of tongue. This is mainly for launching purposes (so vehicle wheels/tires do not have to go too deep).

I have OCD so details can bother me to obsession!
I tend to overthink everything.

Is the trailer appropriate for the boat?
Is trailer wide enough?
Is it long enough?

Thanks!

 

[racerone]

Get a bigger trailer.

 

[matt167]

Karavan lists the trailer at 182" maximum which is a little under 16' and the V 16 is 16'7". However the weight is good and I bet Karavan actually lists the trailer as a 16' trailer so it's probably ok. You can push your boat behind the bunks to tongue length and tongue weight balance. You could push the bunks back as well. But your goal is tongue weight being right, not exactly where the boat sits

I put a Venture VB1200 under my 14' tin Starcraft which is a trailer rated to 16'. It is nice having 3+ feet of tongue for launching

 

[SoCalPescador]

Karavan lists the trailer at 182" maximum which is a little under 16' and the V 16 is 16'7". However the weight is good and I bet Karavan actually lists the trailer as a 16' trailer so it's probably ok. You can push your boat behind the bunks to tongue length and tongue weight balance. You could push the bunks back as well. But your goal is tongue weight being right, not exactly where the boat sits

I put a Venture VB1200 under my 14' tin Starcraft which is a trailer rated to 16'. It is nice having 3+ feet of tongue for launching

Trailer length is 217"
Max boat length is 199" (16.6')

2'-3' of tongue to be added via fold away tongue
I'll also install new bunks that are 6' instead of 5'

 

[roscoe]

You'll be fine as is, but you will like the added tongue length, If for no other reason as to have space between the winch and the tow vehicle, easier to step over, or open the hatch-trunk-tailgate.

If one guy says get a bigger trailer, the next guy will say your springs are too stiff for the load with a bigger trailer.

 

[Silvertip]

Trailer looks fine. What does not look right is the height at which the motor is mounted. The Cavitation plate on the motor should be flush with the bottom of the boat. It appears to be an inch or so too low. This would also gain a bit of height between the skeg and ground when towing. That's not a problem however if using a transom saver when towing.

 

[briangcc]

Looks like the boat is properly supported by the trailer. What would concern me is the distance from the winch post to my tailgate or hatch. I'm sure the camera is playing tricks and its not as bad as it appears but to me, if that was my rig, I'd be seriously looking at adding to the tongue length so that winch post is further from my vehicle.

Again, just me and may be a camera trick.

 

[SoCalPescador]

Trailer looks fine. What does not look right is the height at which the motor is mounted. The Cavitation plate on the motor should be flush with the bottom of the boat. It appears to be an inch or so too low. This would also gain a bit of height between the skeg and ground when towing. That's not a problem however if using a transom saver when towing.

Yes, I plan on using a Panther transom saver, model 15900

Accessories

panthermarineproducts.com

 

[SoCalPescador]

Looks like the boat is properly supported by the trailer. What would concern me is the distance from the winch post to my tailgate or hatch. I'm sure the camera is playing tricks and its not as bad as it appears but to me, if that was my rig, I'd be seriously looking at adding to the tongue length so that winch post is further from my vehicle.

Again, just me and may be a camera trick.

Yes, 3' tongue will be added via Fulton Fold-Away tongue

FULTON | HDPB330101 | Fold-Away™ Hinge Kit, Bolt On, 5,000 lbs. Capacity, 3 Inch x 3 Inch, Silver

Fulton is the leader in marine and utility trailer products.

www.fultonperformance.com

 

[Silvertip]

I should have included that the engine mounting height is not just a skeg clearance issue as proper engine height can also optimize performance.

 

[j cat]

the trailer should be 20ft long total .. your trailer is to the max boat size..
the boat/motor is the length ..total ..