Need a Trailer

[B. Beck]

I have a 1990 Hunter 28, and I am looking for a trailer to fit the boat (prferable used). The boat is located on a land-locked lake, without a travel lift, or boatyard. For the cost of a hauler to transport it to a boatyard, I may be able to be able to buy a trailer. Do you have any ideas on where I might find a trailer that fits this boat??

 

[Ward]

A couple of thoughts

Performance trailers out of St. Petersburg makes trailers for Hunters up to 31 ft. I have two of their trailers (one for an h23 and one for a 1993 h27). They make top notch trailers and a new one for an h28 would be around $6,000. Just a guess.Here is something to keep in mind. You need a LONG, DEEP ramp to launch or retrieve that boat. It has a draft of 3'9". With the height of the trailer keel board, you will need 5'-5'6" of water depth on the ramp to have a chance of getting that boat on a trailer. My 27' is 3'6" draft and with my trailer, I need over 5' of water at the ramp to get it out. On Core of Engineer ramps in reserviors around here that is usually no problem. It does take a tongue extension of no less than 20' on the ramps I encounter. I use towing straps, but I have seen others use pipe extensions with ball hitches and receivers on them. With the weight of the boat and trailer, you would be nearly 9500lbs. This is another consideration. This gets into 3/4 ton trucks rather than a 1/2 ton.I am certainly not trying to discourage you. What you want to do is done often and doable by you. I just want to offer some pitfalls going in rather than see you learn them the hard way.I have attached the performance Trailer linkGood LuckWard

 

[B. Beck]

Thanks, and a couple of questions.

Thanks for the info regarding water depth requirements at the ramp. The lake is a COE lake, and I plan to pull out of the lake after it's lowered to Winter pool. We checked the depth at the ramp at Winter pool last year, and it's about 7'-0" deep out 40'-0" from the shoreline.If I buy a trailer, should I hire a crane to lift the boat and set it on the trailer the first time? That would allow me to adjust the pads with the boat out of the water, and make certain that the pads are set properly (and I won't have to get wet). Then, maybe after adjusting the pads the first time, I could leave them set, and pull and launch the boat in the future with the trailer.If it's not too much trouble, could I please get your thoughts on this. Obviously, you've been through this yourself.Thanks Again

 

[Ward]

Boy have I been through it!

I bought my trailer in Virginia and the boat in Florida. Fornuately, I had a travel lift put it on the trailer the first time. The bunks were adjusted ok, but there was way too much weight on the tongue. I had to move the winch/bow stand back. When I got it home, I moved the axles forward. The Performance trailer made all these things adjustable.Given your situation, I would recommend hiring the crane the first time. If you don't I would plan on a LONG day of adjusting and reloading the boat until you get it right. I could imagine that being a very frustrating day. For my wife and I .... we would have Never been able to get it loaded that far from home the first time. With everything adjusted, it now goes on and off the trailer quite easily.Even though your boat is heavier and longer, there shouldn't be much difference.Let me know if you have additional questionsWard