Help IDing Trailer

[LaqueRatt]

Does this trailer look original for this boat? It's a 71 Mirrocraft. The fenders don't seem to fit correctly and the boat is a pain to get centered on the trailer. Any ideas for modifying it to make it better would be appreciated.

Thinking of making some changes to the existing bunks, maybe installing a side bunk kit. Or would it be better to fab some poles on the sides to help guide the boat on? Also I don't like how the straps hook to the oar locks. That can't be right!

 

[jimmbo]

That trailer looks very much like the one my dad had under a 1980 Mirrocraft but a lot shorter, but different colour. We bought the Trailer at a Canadian Tire Store, as to who made it, who knows. I would guess that the Axle is not the one that came with it, it looks heavier, and the Tires are much bigger than a trailer that size would have, as proven by the Fenders
Your trailer is too short(about 2 1/2 - 3 ft) for the boat, as the way the Bunks are mounted/Positioned, which explains the reason the Oar Locks are being used to secure the Boat to the Trailer. I wonder what is hidden below the Matching Paint, on both the Trailer and the Boat?

Motor is a 1965

 

[LaqueRatt]

Any suggestions on improving it? I have a MIG and know how to use it. Got a pic of your Dad's trailer by any chance?

I see no signs of corrosion or rust under the paint and the trailer in general looks to be pretty solid. When new did these boats come without trailers?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Looks like the trailer under the fishing barge that I inherited from dad. Get a set of clamp-on side guides

 

[LaqueRatt]

Do the existing bunks look adequate? Should they be longer, maybe repositioned? Would it be worth my while to extend the trailer? It's just common channel. I can get it locally fairly cheap.

I'm not real sure what clamp on side guides are. I'm still pretty new to all of this. I see a kit on ebay that looks like it would help. Is this what you mean?

Boat Trailer 2' Side Guide On Bunk Boards Carpeted Kit 75 Degree w/ Hardware | eBay

Make loading boat a breeze, keep your boat in line when loading. Type: Boat Trailer Guides. a pair of boat trailer guides. Pole Sit Angle:75 Degree. Hardware included. Wrapped high quality carpet, held on very securely.

www.ebay.com

Some have suggested installing some poles on the sides. Guess they're usually PVC and hand constructed maybe. Do I need both? Is one better than the other?

 

[Silvertip]

The fenders look odd only because someone installed the next size bigger wheels and tires. I suspect hubs were changed as well as this size trailer in the day would likely have had four bolt wheels. Getting a boat centered on the trailer has a lot to do with how far you back into the water. Too far in and the boat will drift one way or another. Not deep enough and the bow runs into things. Load guides are helpful if you continue to have issues with centering.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Do the existing bunks look adequate? Should they be longer, maybe repositioned? Would it be worth my while to extend the trailer? It's just common channel. I can get it locally fairly cheap.

I'm not real sure what clamp on side guides are. I'm still pretty new to all of this. I see a kit on ebay that looks like it would help. Is this what you mean?

Boat Trailer 2' Side Guide On Bunk Boards Carpeted Kit 75 Degree w/ Hardware | eBay

Make loading boat a breeze, keep your boat in line when loading. Type: Boat Trailer Guides. a pair of boat trailer guides. Pole Sit Angle:75 Degree. Hardware included. Wrapped high quality carpet, held on very securely.

www.ebay.com

Some have suggested installing some poles on the sides. Guess they're usually PVC and hand constructed maybe. Do I need both? Is one better than the other?

your existing bunks are adequate for the load. and will most likely outlast you

most side guide kits are made to slide a piece of PVC tube over if you want.

 

[LaqueRatt]

Have to fess up that this is the first time I've ever launched a boat. Stuff I've seen online suggests you should back in until the boat starts to float. Some say until the tops of fenders are barely showing. After listening to you guys here though, I'm thinking maybe I'm too deep with the trailer. If I put the boat back in today, which I hope to do, I'm going to try to winch it on the trailer with the trailer just deep enough to get the bow on the back roller. It's pretty light so should be able to muscle it up. I'm going to kick myself in the butt if this is all operator error and no fault of the trailer! LOL

One other question. Should I be in different positions for launching and retrieval? Seems like to launch I should maybe be deeper than when I retrieve it.

 

[Alumarine]

Have to fess up that this is the first time I've ever launched a boat. Stuff I've seen online suggests you should back in until the boat starts to float. Some say until the tops of fenders are barely showing. After listening to you guys here though, I'm thinking maybe I'm too deep with the trailer. If I put the boat back in today, which I hope to do, I'm going to try to winch it on the trailer with the trailer just deep enough to get the bow on the back roller. It's pretty light so should be able to muscle it up. I'm going to kick myself in the butt if this is all operator error and no fault of the trailer! LOL

One other question. Should I be in different positions for launching and retrieval? Seems like to launch I should maybe be deeper than when I retrieve it.

With that setup and without the side guides as Scott suggested it will be difficult to keep centered if you go in too deep.
As you discovered it will float side to side.

Your idea of just deep enough to get the bow on the back roller is a good start.

 

[JimS123]

I had a boat and trailer just like that. That's a light boat and should take no effort to launch or retrieve. It looks like the keel is lined up properly with the keel rollers. As such, the boat should self center, no problem. You are backing in too far. That's a given.

If you insist on drowning the whole rig, simply add a set of side guides and you won't have another problem.

 

[LaqueRatt]

OK guys, I get the message. I'ma doin' it all wrong.....LOL

I suspected as much, but going by what others guys were doing at the ramp and crap I read online I didn't realize it.

Yesterday things did not go as planned and I may well have missed out on the last good day on the lake. Thinking of launching today, but there are storms on the way and the weather is about to take a turn for the worse. I envy you guys who live in areas where you can boat and bike year around. As much as I hate to do it, it's almost time to put up the toys for the year.

Thanks for all the tips and not giving me too much crap over being a clueless noob.

 

[JimS123]

I suspected as much, but going by what others guys were doing at the ramp and crap I read online I didn't realize it.

When I have nothing in particular planned I often go to the launch ramp with a sixpack just to watch all the funny commotion. Don't feel bad - 90% of the boaters simply are clueless about how to properly and easily launch and retrieve. What's worse is that many have been doing it a long time and are not newbys.

Last year an old couple was trying to launch a submarine. The trailer was totally submerged and the car's tailpipe was bubbling under water. I could see that the boat was brand new. Being a nice guy I offered to help. In fact I did it for him. Where I positioned the trailer there was dry land behind the car. It went on like a dream.

A few weeks later he and I were there again and he was back to dunking everything. He was in and out 6 times with the boat tipped and rocking each time. Lots of truth to "you can lead a horse to water.....".

 

[briangcc]

That's a really light boat....bet you can shove it off relatively easily with the back bunks just in the water.

Reminds me of my Uncle's 16' starcraft. He'd just back it in so the back bunks were wet, and with the motor up, give it a shove into the water to launch. Pretty much same for retrieval.

We're not talking about a 19' I/O where you may need to get a bit (alot) deeper.

 

[LaqueRatt]

Last year an old couple was trying to launch a submarine.

An ACTUAL submarine!? Wow, that would be pretty damned cool! Wish I had one.

When I was a kid, we have a pretty big boat for awhile. Too big to trailer home. When not in the water it was in dry dock. All wooden Owens, we worked on it a lot when it was out of the water. I was a real marina rat. Ancient place on a channel off of Lake Michigan. Many rotting hulks that hadn't seen water in years. So many good memories, but one of the best was they had a small sub right at the entrance to the place. Just for decoration. It was in good shape and seemed seaworthy, but the hatch was firmly locked down. We could play on top, but not inside. Man we would have loved to be able to get inside that thing!

 

[JimS123]

An ACTUAL submarine!? Wow, that would be pretty damned cool! Wish I had one.

Figuratively speaking since the trailer was completely under water.

 

[JimS123]

We're not talking about a 19' I/O where you may need to get a bit (alot) deeper.

My 14' tinny and my 19' I/O trailers all launch at the same depth. It's all about having the trailer set up right and then using common sense.

(except crappy ramps might require modifications)

 

[LaqueRatt]

Unfortunately common sense is anything but common these days Jim. Guess I have at least a little, cause I found this place! The members here have been a tremendous help. For laughs look at my very first post. Thought I destroyed my McCulloch 14 for sure, but that little motor is alive and kicking. Giving wild rides on the back of a 185 lb Alumacraft!

 

[LaqueRatt]

I know this thread has been dead for a few weeks, but was looking at the trailer today and I really would like a better way to attach the straps. Any ideas would be appreciated. Is extending the trailer my only option here? This just doesn't seem all that secure to me. I plan to keep it so willing to put some time and money into it.

 

[JimS123]

'I know this thread has been dead for a few weeks, but was looking at the trailer today and I really would like a better way to attach the straps. Any ideas would be appreciated. Is extending the trailer my only option here? This just doesn't seem all that secure to me. I plan to keep it so willing to put some time and money into it.

I want my straps to be perfectly aligned, that's why I modify things accordingly. Figure where the strap should go, and then drill the trailer frame and add a few SS I bolts. Don't forget one for the stem. Winches are there for retrieving, not for security.

 

[airshot]

Those fenders look familiar, when I was a kid, a trailer called " little dude" was popular and may have had that type of fender