Got the new trailer for the Snowgoose and finally have it road worthy. Overall, I really like the build/design of this trailer. I would pay quite a bit more to have it built with more hot dipped hardware. I spent a lot of time removing plated hardware and replacing them with galvanized or stainless. Things like zinc plated safety chains and nearly all the fasteners were plated, which just gets eaten up in the salt. I like the size of a lot of the components, which are nicely oversized, in general. I love the clean build that will help getting it rinsed out well. The torsion axles are sweet and very resistant to rusting.
Rig ready for the road!
Boat and trailer.
I made new bunk boards. I ripped down 2x6s a bit to clean them up, but kept them at 5 inches vs 3 1/2.
I always glue the carpet on, they last a lot better when glued (especially when the boat is frozen to the trailer and forced off when launching
). I staple one side of the carpet along the bottom, apply glue to the inside, top and outside, and then wrap the carpet and finish stapling. Easy, fast and not too messy.
Original bunk boards without and with the carpet removed to see how nice they were.
I wanted to get the boat sitting low and in the trailer. I bought from Load Rite partly because they offer a 76 inch wide version that will accommodate the Snowgoose between the wheels.
I had a spool roller that I really liked on the old trailer that accommodated my 3 inch wide keel runner, but the material did not hold up. It was 2 part design and the core was separating from the outside (can see a lump in pics). Not being able to find a quality urethane option in the shape I wanted, I had to go custom.
Starting.
Final.
I was able to turn the urethane down to proper shape taking progressive passes with the table saw, rolling the roller in the little fixture I clamped the fence of the saw. Did not seem as sketchy as it looked and worked beautifully.
On the trailer.
We took the boat and trailer for a test run. The only hiccup was that one of the bearings was getting hot about 15 minutes into the trip. We turned around, tore it apart and, sure enough, the castle nut was too tight. I reset it and we made to the launch with cool bearings all around.
We put some time on the motor and were able to scoop up some crabs. We don not have crabs like Jode does, but late summer we can get a few this far north. We actually had a lot of action for us and ended up with a dozen keepers to pick for crab cakes. Scooping them is just motoring around docks and pilings on a falling tide looking for them to scoop (vs. the more common chicken neck on a string). Anyway, it is fun and exciting action trying to scoop them without hitting the bottom with the boat or a piling and fighting the current and trying to outsmart those mean little bastards.
Gus on the net.
Our catch.
Got this pic in an email yesterday!
Rig ready for the road!
Boat and trailer.
I made new bunk boards. I ripped down 2x6s a bit to clean them up, but kept them at 5 inches vs 3 1/2.
I always glue the carpet on, they last a lot better when glued (especially when the boat is frozen to the trailer and forced off when launching
). I staple one side of the carpet along the bottom, apply glue to the inside, top and outside, and then wrap the carpet and finish stapling. Easy, fast and not too messy.
Original bunk boards without and with the carpet removed to see how nice they were.
I wanted to get the boat sitting low and in the trailer. I bought from Load Rite partly because they offer a 76 inch wide version that will accommodate the Snowgoose between the wheels.
I had a spool roller that I really liked on the old trailer that accommodated my 3 inch wide keel runner, but the material did not hold up. It was 2 part design and the core was separating from the outside (can see a lump in pics). Not being able to find a quality urethane option in the shape I wanted, I had to go custom.
Starting.
Final.
I was able to turn the urethane down to proper shape taking progressive passes with the table saw, rolling the roller in the little fixture I clamped the fence of the saw. Did not seem as sketchy as it looked and worked beautifully.
On the trailer.
We took the boat and trailer for a test run. The only hiccup was that one of the bearings was getting hot about 15 minutes into the trip. We turned around, tore it apart and, sure enough, the castle nut was too tight. I reset it and we made to the launch with cool bearings all around.
We put some time on the motor and were able to scoop up some crabs. We don not have crabs like Jode does, but late summer we can get a few this far north. We actually had a lot of action for us and ended up with a dozen keepers to pick for crab cakes. Scooping them is just motoring around docks and pilings on a falling tide looking for them to scoop (vs. the more common chicken neck on a string). Anyway, it is fun and exciting action trying to scoop them without hitting the bottom with the boat or a piling and fighting the current and trying to outsmart those mean little bastards.
Gus on the net.
Our catch.
Got this pic in an email yesterday!
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. Right now, WI is a state that we would have to quarantine for 14 days were we to spend more than 24 hours there, so we are planning a quick in and out. Was planning a stop at the alma mater in Madison on the way, but with a positivity rate among students nearing 10%, I think we may have to reconsider that idea.
