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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

To keep a trailer or not

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jlouder
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/31/2002 : 09:09:00

I purchased a beautiful 1988 Catalina 25 wing keel early this summer and after curing a bad case of boat pox (a story in itself), Amazing Grace was finally put in the water. My problem is that now I have a good trailer that is not being used. I listed it in the swap area but had little interest. I do not know if it was the price or location.

The only time that I would ever need the trailer would be for a bottom job every four years or so. I am wondering what the thoughts are out there if it is worth keeping a trailer that will see so little use.

By the way, we love the boat and use it every chance we get.

Jim
"Amazing Grace"

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 09:56:58

It would certainly be a plus to have a "trailer included" if/when you ever sell the boat.
Think you might get the itch to trailer it somewhere for vacation someday?
If you had to pull the boat out of the water to fix a problem, and then had to wait for parts - would not having access to a trailer be a problem?
Cost/cost avoidance is certainly easy to calculate . . .

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 10:05:00

Jim,

I'm interested in a trailer sometime for a wing keel c25. $2000 doesn't seem to be a bad price, nor is it being in Fort Worh a significat problem. My biggest concern is that it is not galvanized, and submerging it at least twice a year is a big obstacle for me.

All that said, I'd be interested in pictures.

Also, OJ's wisdom should be important to you. Time will come when you wish you had a trailer and . . .. It enhanses the value when you go to sell, and you may want to trailer it to another lake or to the Gulf.

Hope my comments help your decision <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 10:32:11

Jim

Our boat is in year round as well. I would not thinks of selling the trailer. You never know what might happen at the marina a strom might rip it apart then you might need to pull out it would be nice to have a trailer. I look at it as an insurance policy. I store it for $240.00 a year keep the tires covered and treated from the elements to extend their life. Maintain it once a year if needed or not.(ie brake fluid, tire pressure, tighten nuts and bolts, check covering on the bunkers. Keeping the trailer is a good idea.

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2002 : 11:43:52

I had a trailer for my fin keel. It sat at home in the RV area next to my house. I sold it and I kicked myself ever since. Once it was gone I came up with a dozen times I could have used it. Here in Puget Sound it takes a good three days to sail north to the San Juan Islands. With a trailer I could be launching in Just over three hours at the same spot. I would have loved to be able to have the boat at home in the winter to work on. It seems when she is in a slip we would only go down when there was a storm to be sure she was safe. Keep the trailer in good condition and the value will always be there. As for Rust paint it with Por 15.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 11:29:54

Jim,

I would keep the trailer. Having the option to move the boat quickly and conveniently is, to me, well worth the small cost of keeping a trailer around.

Even though I normally keep my C-25 in a canal behind my house, I've found that being able to do haulout work on the boat in my driveway makes it much more affordable. (Although some of my snooty neighbors may not be as enthusiastic about this feature as I am!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>)

Also, I'm comforted by the fantasy that if a catagory 4 or 5 storm approaches, I could bring the boat with me when I evacuate. Can't you just see me living aboard on the trailer while sorting out the aftermath of my life in the wake of a major storm?<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 11:41:20

It's a hard decision. We had a trailer with out C250 wing keel & just sold it last year. We keep our boat in the water, and keep it in the boat yard when its hauled out. In our case the trailer was just sitting there getting old & deteriorating. We don't save any money by storing the boat on the trailer in the boat yard & we don't own a vehicle that can tow the boat on its trailer (we have a Ford Explorer). We don't think having a trailer would be an important factor in selling the boat in our area.

It's a hard choice - we kept ours for 3 years. I'd ask myself these questions:

Am I likely trailer my boat (take it home in the winter, relocate, vacation travel, hurricane evacuation, etc)?
Will a trailer make it easier to sell my boat?
How much will it cost to keep the trailer (storage, maintenance, etc)?

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

Edited by - on

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 11:44:26

Jim,
I just bought a used trailor and I am very relieved to have it for all the reasons mentioned above. It is a hassel to try to find one to borrow or rent and you then have to be concerned if you drop some blue paint on a trailor you do not own. The trailor is another thing you have to maintain but I feel like the rest, it is worth having it when you need it at your convenience...not someone elses,
Steve Steakley

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Carl B.
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2002 : 21:06:51

I bought my boat back in August and it came with a trailer. We used it to pull the boat to do the pre-purchase inspection. To me it is cheep insurance to have the trailer available in case of and emergency. I seen and heard of to many owners looking for a trailer when they have a problem with their boat. Like my sister when she hit a rock (The Dam) and put a hole in the hull of her boat. She did not have a trailer and had to find one in a hurry. Lucky she found one before the boat sank at the dock because her bilge pump was not keeping up.

"OBLIVIOUS" C25 '82 #3098 SR/FK/Trad

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2002 : 08:37:56

It's trailer time,

Didn't think I'd ever get back to trailering but recent legislation has it that bottom painting must be done by the yard personnel that have passed the DEC course on bottom painting. I don't care to paint my own boat but experience has it that stirring the pain occasionally is not required to pass the DEC course.

This spring I power washed and sanded the GLOP that the yard applied last time and painted it. It's good for three years. By then I expect to buy a trailer and when the boat needs bottom work I'll trailer it home and do the work there. Short of that perhaps I'll work out a deal with the yard to be on hand to stir the paint as they apply it.

Val on "CALISTA" # 3936

Val Bisagni

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