Is there an specific trailer for the O'Day 23? Or what should I be looking for? We live in Maine but would not mind picking the right trailer further south. The boat is now in New Haven...
Thanks fellows.
The O'Day 23 has a strong hull that can take a complete roller trailer but if you're only going to moor this boat, I would buy a tandem flat bunk trailer that will take a 24' boat which will take the weight of an O'Day 23. The trailer needs to have long bunk extension brackets to accommodate the keel depth. The reason I mention a trailer for a longer boat is because it may be easier to float the boat off it without having to buy an extension tongue for your trailer.
For instance, I was able to buy a new Long tandem Aluminum 23' powerboat Trailer for my 86 O'Day 222 at 4600 lbs and convert it to a sailboat trailer by using 24" extension brackets and two sandwiched pressure treated planks in the center of my galvanized trailer cross members. I used two power company electric hardware brackets to attach them and didn't need to drill holes in the cross members.
Of course you can buy a sailboat trailer for your boat and have them make it up to fit the hull.
I would go to a large trailer dealer and talk to someone who is knowledgeable there. They should have all the specs on your boat in there PC. Even if you don't buy a trailer off them, you'll gain some knowledge about what type of trailer, length, and weight requirements are needed.
I'm able to float my boat on and off my trailer without having to swamp my pickup truck. Also, I'm able to loosen the carriage bolts that hold my keel boards and slide the boards to one side of the frame which comes in handy when I take my boat off the trailer and put it on my stands each year.
Years ago back in the late 1980s, the O'Day 192, 222, and the 240 came new in the Boston boat shows with single axle Load-Rite roller trailers in my area. These roller trailers had keel rollers which allowed you to launch these boats as easy as powerboats. My Load-Rite single axle trailer had 15" wheels and I only had to back it into the water up to the wheel hubs. I would tie a 60' line to the bow cleat and when I released the winch hook, that boat would literally glide right off that trailer and float all the way down to the end of the dock.
Trailers with rollers need attention as they get older and they start nickle and diming you to death. For the few times I use my trailer each year, I'm happy with my flat bunk trailer.
Joe
