How do you match new trailer to existing boat?

[viper1216]

Hey everyone,

I am buying a new to me boat. 2001 Maxum 2400SCR. It does not have a trailer, so I went out bought one as I need one to get it home and I would prefer to have a trailer for the boat. It's a 2021 Ventura Com-6000t XF. My question I have, the boat is currently on blocks. The marina it is at will be de-winterizing it and commissioning it to run for the season. Once that is done they will be using some sort of forklift thing to put it on my trailer. I have never had a new trailer....boats I have gotten previously always had them. So what do I need to do with the bunks and stuff? I'm assuming it's not going to match up and some sort of adjustment will be needed. Is that on the Marina to do that? I am paying to have them to winterize, commission and move it to do so and then put it on the trailer. This is all new territory for me with a new trailer, so I have no idea what the heck I need to do. Do I just loosen the bunks and front support a little so they can move and then they will move around to match the hull once weight is on it? I am dropping the trailer off a week or 2 before the work is being done so I'm not going to be around when they put it on the trailer, and once it's on there, I'll be driving it about 175 miles home, so don't want to be finding out it's not right as it goes rolling down the highway. Any help or pointers greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!!!

 

[roscoe]

You need to ask these questions of the marina.
You may need to pay extra to have them set up the trailer for you. Or maybe they expect to do that and have already worked that into the price.

Or you may need to hire someone to set up the trailer, and pay the marina extra cash for the extra hour or two they will be operating the forklift.

Aside from getting the boat on the trailer, and supporting the hull properly, someone will have to adjust to get proper amount of tongue weight for safe towing. Will involve using a scale (truck scale ) and may involve moving the winch post and the axles.

 

[Stinnett21]

I'm following along here because I may be having to do the same in the future. My current trailer is a tubular steel fixed bunk custom made to the boat. When it bites the dust (or should I say rust) I guess I'll be looking at something like you have bought with adjustable bunks (just googled your trailer). But how do you know that those two longitudinal 2x6s turned on end will be enough support? That's only 2 inches of support contacting the hull at its weightiest part. My current trailer has two 2x6s flat to the hull. Just asking, not questioning your decision. I do see this setup at ramps sometimes.

 

[JimS123]

If you bought a brand new trailer, the marina that sold it should be responsible for setting it up. If you negotiated a real cheep price and setup was specifically excluded, go back and re-negotiate the deal.

 

[tpenfield]

Most bunk trailers will 'find' their own fitness as governed by the main bunks. You may have to adjust the front bunks and bow stop, but that's about it.

Roller trailers will do something similar, but they are probably going to be a little more finicky

 

[JimS123]

Most bunk trailers will 'find' their own fitness as governed by the main bunks. You may have to adjust the front bunks and bow stop, but that's about it.

Roller trailers will do something similar, but they are probably going to be a little more finicky

Bow stop and axle for sure. But, boat deadrise varies considerably from different brands and models.

If all you have is a low priced trailer with only 2 bunks, then you're good to go. If it has more than 2, and it fits perfect on the hard, then you lucked out.

 

[viper1216]

This is what the trailer looks like. It's just a stock pic. I can try to grab some actual pics of it once it stops pouring outside. 2 big bunks in the back and 2 smaller ones in the front. I didn't buy the trailer from a Marina..I got it from a trailer shop and unfortunately the boat is about 180 miles away. So I don't think they are setting up any thing lol. I have a call into the Marina that is working on the boat and eventually putting it on the trailer. The seller doesn't think it will be a big deal to them to adjust it as needed. So fingers crossed there

 

[tpenfield]

That trailer is quite generic and the odds are any v-shaped hull will fit fine without much adjustment, if any.

I did something similar when I bought my 24 foot boat. . . bought the boat in NJ and the trailer in MA. Then took the trailer to get the boat.

Just out of curiosity, I did take a few pieces of wood and made a frame that was the same shape as the V-hull (24˚ V in this case) to see if the keel would likely clear the cross members of the trailer. No problem . . . plenty of clearance.

Problems arise and custom fitting is needed when you combine multiple main bunks and keel rollers. Then everything has to be an exact match to the hull.

Trailer manufacturers have gotten wise over the years and realize that a simple trailer configuration will fit most boats with minor adjustments . . . usually being the front set of bunks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

when the marina has the boat over the trailer while still on the forks of the travel lift is when the trailer gets adjusted.

 

[Stinnett21]

I wonder will the OP be ok, given the his bunks are turned on end, if the bunks don't align with the stringers? Maybe I'm overthinking it.

 

[tpenfield]

I wonder will the OP be ok, given the his bunks are turned on end, if the bunks don't align with the stringers? Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Yes, over thinking . . . poerboats are not that flimsy

The bunks turned on end are common for many trailers as they require less mounting hardware to achieve adequate height above the cross members.

 

[viper1216]

Thanks for everyone's input. Dropping the trailer off tomorrow night. Marina will be doing the work they need to do on the boat and popping on there in the next couple of weeks . I advised the seller (who has been in communication with the Marina) that it is a brand new trailer and might need some adjustments. He said it would be a problem.

 

[ahicks]

I would set the trailer bunks under the stringers. Or in other words, I would get the distance between the stringers from the boat, then set the trailer bunks at the appropriate distance.

Having a basic mistrust of marina workmanship (a REAL good plan in my experience) I would NOT assume the marina will take care of this for you. At the very least, I would confirm this has been done.

 

[viper1216]

I would set the trailer bunks under the stringers. Or in other words, I would get the distance between the stringers from the boat, then set the trailer bunks at the appropriate distance.

Having a basic mistrust of marina workmanship (a REAL good plan in my experience) I would NOT assume the marina will take care of this for you. At the very least, I would confirm this has been done.

Too late for that unfortunately. Trailer is already up there, and boat will be on it next time I am up there so can't measure the stringers. Will have to (fingers crossed) rely on the Marina.

 

[ahicks]

If not done correctly on inspection, you still have a chance at shaming them into doing it correctly. It would only take a minute....