How to Match a Boat and Trailer
21 Mar 2019 Marine Services
When acquiring a new boat, one of the most important things to consider is how you intend on getting the boat to the water. Many boats will come with a trailer when bought from a shop or second-hand, but, in many situations, you will need to find and purchase a trailer that will properly support your boat. In these situations, it is important to know how to match a boat and trailer. The staff at Bridgeview Marine are adept at providing trailers that perfectly suit the boats of their clients, and they sell both used and new boat trailers.
Boat Trailer Features
There are a variety of factors to consider when selecting a boat trailer that make each trailer unique, and these factors include:
Rollers or Bunks
Boat trailers will support the hull of the boat on either a series of rollers or a couple of flat bunks made of wood and covered in carpet. While bunks will work well if you launch the boat from a steep launch, they can be difficult to use in shallow water. Rollers offer a smoother launch with less friction.
Trailer Frame Construction
Boat trailer frames can be made from different metals and are designed to support varying amounts of weight. Most materials will hold up well if the boat is mostly launched in freshwater, but make sure that you get a frame that will not corrode easily if you are mostly boating in saltwater.
Tongue Jack System
When selecting a boat trailer, make sure that the tongue jack will be able to reach the hitch height of your towing vehicle. For lighter duty trailers, the tongue jack will often have a wheel so that the trailer can be moved freely when not attached to a vehicle. The right tongue jack can make trailering your boat a much smoother experience.
How to Find the Right Boat Trailer
To find the right boat trailer, there are a couple of details that you should know about your boat before you begin your search. These details include:
- The length of your boat from the bow eye to the transom
- The beam width of your boat
- The boat’s make and model
- The weight of the boat when all tanks are full
Once you have these details on hand and you know which options you prefer, you can begin looking for a suitable boat trailer. Many boat trailer dealers will provide recommendations of what trailer will best match your boat as a service, once you provide them with some guidelines of what you are looking for. Make sure that the trailer is rated to carry the weight of your boat and that your boat does not extend too far beyond the end of the trailer.
To find out more about how to match a boat and trailer, or if you are interested in purchasing one of their boat trailers, please contact Bridgeview Marine at the location nearest to you or fill out a contact form on their website.
