Trailer For Barnegat Bay Sneakbox

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Staff member
Completing the Barnegat Bay Sneakbox that was given to me and Thomas (thanks Tom Bidrowski!) is bubbling up the to-do list. I am going to need a trailer for it and have started looking. It seems as though used jetski, personal water craft (PWC), etc. trailers are more common than 12-14' jon boat trailers. Are PWC trailers adequate for a BBSB? They are narrower and shorter than your typical jonboat trailer but seems like they might work. Suggestions? I know I'll have to reconfigure the bunks and wench stop, but would have to do that for just about any trailer I find.

Thanks.

Eric
 

Eric Patterson said:
Are PWC trailers adequate for a BBSB? They are narrower and shorter than your typical jonboat trailer but seems like they might work. Suggestions? I know I'll have to reconfigure the bunks and wench stop, but would have to do that for just about any trailer I find.
Thanks.

Eric
Click to expand...

Length and width would definitely be a limiting factor. The positive side a PWC trailer may present a lower to the water profile.

When I modified a jon boat trailer to fit a sneakbox, I lowered the center section of the rear cross member, I also extended the bunks and made three attachment points so I could put a bend in the bunks to better match the hull profile.



View attachment IMGP1036.JPG



View attachment IMGP1040.JPGView attachment IMGP1042.JPG

The rear and middle supports are original. The forward bunk support has been added. There is a pronounced curve forced into the bunk. I also have the entire bunk angled upward towards the bow to allow the boat to completely drain while on the trailer. Never had any issues with this arrangement.
 
Eric~


Because Sneakboxes have so much depth, I find it helpful to have keel rollers on both the rear crossbar and somewhere forward to guide and protect the keel as it is winches onto the trailer. the skeg rests on the aft roller when aboard the trailer.



I also like flexible bunks (5/4 or 4/4) so they will conform to the hull curves.


If your vessel has the conventional Sneakbox "spoon bow", a 2-roller bow chock on the winch stand - made for PWCs - may provide a nice secure fit:


https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Jet-Ski-Winch-Stand-Support-Double-Support-Bow-Stand-For-2-inch-Post_p_1393.html


I hope to be re-fitting a small trailer next month (or so) - with many of the same considerations.


All the best,


SJS







 
Dave & Steve

Appreciate the ideas and thoughts. I went to the shop last night and measured the trailer for my Broadbill, which is a little shorter, yet wider, than the BBSB. Then I compared it's measurements to some of the PWC trailers I've found. Width wise a PWC looks to be about the same as my Broadbill's trailer. Lengthwise they are about a foot too short unless, but some models are a little longer. So I'd say both the small jon and PWC trailers could do the job. It's just a matter of finding one that happens to match my size requirements (~ 42" frame width and 14' long give or take). I was hoping for a galvanized, but having given it more thought I think mods are quite possible so a painted trailer lends itself to welding better than a galvanized one. I can re-paint, but I can't re-galvanize. Plus I'm betting the bow stop will be a total custom job. It's been a long time since I set up a trailer for a duckboat and now that I have a welder and some basic fab skills I think it will actually be easier to do since I don't have to search everywhere for the off-the-shelf part to get the boat to ride properly.

Right now I'm cruising the classifieds looking for the right trailer to start with. When I get started I'll post the progess. Thanks.

Eric
 
Tom Bidrowski said:
Glad to hear the boat is close to being water ready! It spent to much life in a barn. Can't wait to see pics of it in action.
Click to expand...

I still haven't started, but it is getting closer to the top of the list :)
 
Eric, when I babysat one of Steve's barnegats, I ended up getting a PWC trailer. Galvanized. The tongue was too short. Needed lengthening by about two or three feet? My dad had the stuff to do the welding for galvanized trailers (which he said he would never do again btw). I am not looking at the trailer right now so I am trying to remember off the top of my head. What he did was got a piece of tubing however long it needed extending and an insert that would fit fairly snuggly inside the trailer tubing. I will have to verify this with my trailer again, but I believe he drilled holes through the that bolts could be passed through and it is all bolted together. What he welded was the joint and then added two supports on the left and right side to act as extra support for both pieces of tubing. Then we sprayed the galvanized paint over the welded area. Has worked well for more than ten years. I can get pictures when I get home.
 
Dani

That actually sounds like very good way to extend the tongue. I'll take any trailer config picture you take. They all spawn food for thought. Thank you.

Eric
 
Eric Patterson said:
Dani

That actually sounds like very good way to extend the tongue. I'll take any trailer config picture you take. They all spawn food for thought. Thank you.

Eric
Click to expand...

If the original tongue is bolted to the frame (as like the trailer I reworked above) It may be simpler and stronger just to replace it with a longer piece altogether. One could even upsize the wall thickness for more strength in the extended tongue, while maintaining the original OD sizing.
 
Dave

I agree. I've seen plenty of trailers where the tongue bolts to the frame. As for steel a friend owns the local steel company. His drops are very reasonably priced so that makes that a real option.

Eric
 
Clearly I didn't remember how he did it fully but you get the idea.
 
Eric, a JetSki trailer works fine. I generally unbolt the factory tongue and add one that is quite a bit longer. Rollers help if you have them. If not I prefer a flexible 2 x 6 and form it to the shape of the Hull. Hope this helps.
 
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