What does aluminum do to the price, another $1,000?
The frame on my trailer is otherwise solid but the axles, brakes, hubs, rollers, fenders, and hubs need to be replaced basically the trailer right? Already installed new lights, winch, and jack. I priced out the parts and if I did the work myself would cost me $1,500-1,700.
I think I priced a new galvanized dual axle bunk trailer at around $3,200. Though I can confidently do the work I just don’t want to anymore. The level of aggravation this trailer is giving me now, well it’s got to go. Yesterday it took all I had to winch that boat back up on the trailer and that’s with a two speed winch. Kept backing down with the trailer as it came up to have the water help load. It didn’t help having a couple with a diesel dually pulling a jet ski trailer waiting on the dock for me thinking it was funny.
You know when we first launched they blew in after us. The Grady was tied up at the end of the dock while I parked so someone could launch (that’s called good ramp etiquette) and tie to the ramp end till we left. As I parked our rig, I pointed that out and they said thanks. They launched and as I walked back to the boat they proceeded to squeeze the skis between the docks and my boat, I held my tongue (for the better most part).There was no one there when we returned but when I started to load those same clowns blew in again and put the pressure on like they had been jumped in line. I kind of expected those kind of ramp antics being a holiday weekend and it didn’t disappoint.
Anyway (rant done) one other thought is when loading by myself, back when the rollers actually rolled, on one steep ramp I use I’d have to leave the boat in forward gear to keep it from rolling back until I hooked it. If it were a bunk it would plant itself. With the Bayliner I’d hook a bow rope to launch backing down then at the last second hit the brake hard enough to make the boat slide off.
Of course that was a bowrider and about 2,000lbs. The Grady is almost double that.
Thinking of spending some time at the ramp to see how others get along with their rigs. Maybe I’ll see how other bigger boats launch on bunk trailers. In all these years I really haven’t been part of that ramp peanut gallery and just worry about myself getting in/out in proper time.
Spike, I go out of the Manasquan or Shark Rivers before dawn. I hunt down the bunker schools to snag bunker and live line. If the schools are scattered I troll Mojos. It’s a three hour window after dawn that most always produces after that you burn a lot of gas for little reward.
Incidentally there are a lot of big bunker schools out there right now, all over. It’s going to be a good fall run!
Dennis I was hoping you’d chime in
, I’m going to try for aluminum.
Mike
