The Steamboating Forum

When you buy a boat from Tiny Power, they request that you have a trailer there for construction. You either supply one, or they go and buy one and charge you for it.

Is this a fairly good idea if I'm building a boat myself?

My plan is to lay the keel this spring, if everything goes well. Originally, I was planning on building the hull, then flipping her, and putting her on her trailer, however, the only trailers I can find for a 30' boat run about $5000, which is a lot more than I was planning. If I need a trailer immediately after the hull is done, then I probably have to push back construction a bit...

I was thinking I might be able to build what amounts to an inverse strongback to hold the boat right side up while I work on finishing the hull, and mount the engine. That way I can buy the trailer as a last step, which gives me a bit more time to save up that extra money.

Thoughts? Or is this a mistake? I've never built a boat before, of any kind, and would appreciate the voice of experience from those who have!

--Steve

You can get a good used trailer for far less than half that price, especially in the next few months. At the rate inflation is going, the $5000 you pay for a new trailer today will be $10,000 when your boat is completed (OK, I'm exaggerating, but not much!).

Marinas have used trailers, I paid $500 for mine, and it has worked well for 4 years now, only needed new tires and new wheel bearings.

fredrosse wrote: At the rate inflation is going, the $5000 you pay for a new trailer today will be $10,000 when your boat is completed (OK, I'm exaggerating, but not much!).

I admit this made me laugh!

I've not been able to find anything used of the appropriate size yet. I'll keep my eyes open. The best deal i've been able to find new are these Excalibur trailers.

http://www.excalibur-trailers.ca/traile ... fc9db9.htm

The weight of the boat is 6000 lbs approximately, so I wasn't comfortable getting the 6000 lbs trailer. Ideally, when I launch it, she'll already be loaded with several hundred lbs of wood. Also, I think my engine is going to be somewhat heavier than the one they are thinking of.

--Steve

Steve, when I flipped my hull, I supported it on keel and deadrise blocking. Shortly, I will be supporting it higher on keel blocks and boat stands in order to fit out skeg, rudder, keel condenser, through-hulls, etc.

The most important thing is to approximate the even support that the water gives to the hull.

Have fun and save the trailer for later ...