Re: [bolger] Digest Number 2734
Gordon,
With respect for the other answers you have been given . . . I'd forget
all about the welding type DIY.
When you solidify the 'final' LOA, there are a few inexpensive to
moderate options.
15ft plus . . .the local Harbor Freight store {opened within the last 16
months or so}has about 4 models of 'Utility Trailers'. I am refurbishing
a 15ft Dory and wanted a 'home' for it, as well as a 'delivery &
launching' platform. In the process of researching the 'rolling'
components for a trailer I would build from wood . . . I found that the
ENTIRE 'Heavy Duty Mini-Trailer {12" wheels}' cost LESS then purchasing
just the axle & hubs . . . $159 plus tax. {The 'light duty' with the 8"
tires was only $129}. Because of the latest gas fiasco, they have
discontinued the 'Free Shipping' but I thing it is about $20 for Truck
Ship when ordering from the catalog}. It is all simple 'bolt together' .
. . but then so are almost all but Custom Built ones, these days. It
will be a simple task to build a 'custom cradle' for the hull shape and
mount it on the frame. I will also fabricate a laminated 'engineered
wood' 10 foot tongue extension. Part of it will be inserted into the
existing 3 ft tongue{YES - I've done the strength calculations}. At 900+
pounds capacity, it's overkill. The 'lighter' {800+ lb cap.}would do
just as well . . . except I wanted 12" tires. The point is . . . even if
you scrap everything but the 'rolling gear' and build a custom wooden
frame, you are STILL way ahead.
19ft +/- . . . A couple of years ago I got a VERY good deal on a WWP-15
{I already have a WWP-19 that lives on a Mooring during the summer, and
on a Trailer during the winter}. While it was 'delivered' on the
original 'break-back' trailer, it was pretty well rusted. It would have
cost $150 just to sandblast it to check the structural integrity. Never
mind the new bolts, nuts, wiring, hitch, etc. Bottom line - I bought a
new 'boat' trailer - $500. {All bolted construction, by the way}A few
fittings and chunks of PT wood to 'customize' it. This trailer is
actually for a boat LONGER then 15ft . . . I got it because of the
placement of the cross-members - so I could locate specific hull
supports. The boat weights about 500 lbs 'all up' with a 65lb steel
centerboard.
For a lighter boat, with a flat or 'straight run' rounded hull - or one
that was amenable to a cradle - I'd either build the frame myself, or go
to another Harbor Freight trailer. The type that uses a '4x8 sheet' for
the bed. The one I have is the 'folding' model. Even with 8" wheels it
has about 1,000 lbs capacity. They sell this type for between $200 &
$400 . . . depending on 'Heavy' or 'Light' duty, folding or not.
There are other sources then just 'Harbor Freight' but I think they all
probably come from the same factory in China !!
Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
PS: These 'Utility Trailers' are like a sailor; wonderful handy about
the house. 1,000 pounds of topsoil, several rolls of roofing paper,
lumber, a shed kit, etc.
range, lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer.
SNIP
models from the local tool supply store
SNIP
With respect for the other answers you have been given . . . I'd forget
all about the welding type DIY.
When you solidify the 'final' LOA, there are a few inexpensive to
moderate options.
15ft plus . . .the local Harbor Freight store {opened within the last 16
months or so}has about 4 models of 'Utility Trailers'. I am refurbishing
a 15ft Dory and wanted a 'home' for it, as well as a 'delivery &
launching' platform. In the process of researching the 'rolling'
components for a trailer I would build from wood . . . I found that the
ENTIRE 'Heavy Duty Mini-Trailer {12" wheels}' cost LESS then purchasing
just the axle & hubs . . . $159 plus tax. {The 'light duty' with the 8"
tires was only $129}. Because of the latest gas fiasco, they have
discontinued the 'Free Shipping' but I thing it is about $20 for Truck
Ship when ordering from the catalog}. It is all simple 'bolt together' .
. . but then so are almost all but Custom Built ones, these days. It
will be a simple task to build a 'custom cradle' for the hull shape and
mount it on the frame. I will also fabricate a laminated 'engineered
wood' 10 foot tongue extension. Part of it will be inserted into the
existing 3 ft tongue{YES - I've done the strength calculations}. At 900+
pounds capacity, it's overkill. The 'lighter' {800+ lb cap.}would do
just as well . . . except I wanted 12" tires. The point is . . . even if
you scrap everything but the 'rolling gear' and build a custom wooden
frame, you are STILL way ahead.
19ft +/- . . . A couple of years ago I got a VERY good deal on a WWP-15
{I already have a WWP-19 that lives on a Mooring during the summer, and
on a Trailer during the winter}. While it was 'delivered' on the
original 'break-back' trailer, it was pretty well rusted. It would have
cost $150 just to sandblast it to check the structural integrity. Never
mind the new bolts, nuts, wiring, hitch, etc. Bottom line - I bought a
new 'boat' trailer - $500. {All bolted construction, by the way}A few
fittings and chunks of PT wood to 'customize' it. This trailer is
actually for a boat LONGER then 15ft . . . I got it because of the
placement of the cross-members - so I could locate specific hull
supports. The boat weights about 500 lbs 'all up' with a 65lb steel
centerboard.
For a lighter boat, with a flat or 'straight run' rounded hull - or one
that was amenable to a cradle - I'd either build the frame myself, or go
to another Harbor Freight trailer. The type that uses a '4x8 sheet' for
the bed. The one I have is the 'folding' model. Even with 8" wheels it
has about 1,000 lbs capacity. They sell this type for between $200 &
$400 . . . depending on 'Heavy' or 'Light' duty, folding or not.
There are other sources then just 'Harbor Freight' but I think they all
probably come from the same factory in China !!
Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
PS: These 'Utility Trailers' are like a sailor; wonderful handy about
the house. 1,000 pounds of topsoil, several rolls of roofing paper,
lumber, a shed kit, etc.
> Message: 8considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot
> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 17:20:31 -0800
> From: "Gordon Snapp" <grsnapp@...>
> Subject: Trailers - Weld yourself?
>
> All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm
range, lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer.
SNIP
> How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300
models from the local tool supply store
SNIP
> Gordon Snapp
> Central Coast of California