Choosing the Right Boat Trailer Trailer
Our trailer listings include three new specifications. "Bow Eye to Transom Minimum", "Bow Eye to Transom Maximum", and Boat Hull Size Range. This information should help you better approximate how a boat will sit on a trailer.
The diagrams display the correlation between the boat hull and trailer dimensions.
If you would like to look up boat's dimensions or weight click here.
The Bow Eye to Transom measurement as shown in the accompanying diagrams is the most critical in sizing a trailer for boat length. Pulpits and Euro transoms are generally not supported by the trailer. Including these in length measurements could result in a trailer that does not fit well however they still must be a consideration when choosing a boat trailer.
These trailer schematics are provided to illustrate the dimensions displayed on many of the product charts that follow.
Most of our boat trailers have a great amount of adjustment in the support structure. Adjustment to either extreme may require moving the axles to maintain tongue weight in the 5% to 7% ideal range for most trailers.
Schematics are a visual representation of a generic trailer and not drawn to a particular scale.
If you have any question about which trailer is right for you please call us toll free at 888 278-1991, 8 am to 5 pm Monday - Saturday. You may also email pictures of your boat for the purpose of choosing a trailer to engineering@boattraileroutlet.com .
"A" Bow Eye to Transom Maximum
"B" Bow Eye to Transom Minimum
"C" Rear to Angle Support
BUNK DIAGRAM
ROLLER DIAGRAM
BOAT DIAGRAM
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WHEN FITTING THE RIGHT BOAT TRAILER
Transducers:
If your boat has thru-hull or transom mount transducers you must be sure to position trailer bunks so they do not come into contact with transducers. In some rare cases, transducers must be moved to allow a boat trailer to fit properly.
Bow Pulpit:
A bow pulpit us usually a narrow platform that extends forward from the front of the boat. It can be functional or cosmetic. Pulpits usually provide support and extension to an anchor davit that supports the anchor on the end of the pulpit. When a boat has a pulpit, the way the hull is supported while the boat is loaded and unloaded is important. If a hull drops off the trailer while sliding in the water too early the pulpit may hit the winch stand. Bow guide boards are a common solution.
Motor Bracket:
Motor brackets are metal or fiberglass boxes that allow the mounting of outboard motors behind the boat’s transom. Brackets will increase the amount of weight on the rear of a trailer and are NOT counted when measuring the length of the hull. Axle position may have to be moved toward the rear to achieve correct tongue weight of 5% to 7% of the total boat’s weight.
Inboard Engine:
There are 2 types of inboard engine configurations that concern trailer fit. One is a straight shaft and the other is a V drive. The straight shaft places the engine more toward the front and the axle position on the trailer may have to be moved forward as well to achieve proper tongue weight. Secondly, additional clearance is needed for the shaft to clear the trailer frame. Most shaft drive boats up to 24 feet will fit on our standard aluminum trailers. A V drive is a consideration only in that the rear of the trailer needs to be strong enough to support the additional weight of the engine in the rear. The weight is similar to a stern drive engine configuration.
