Boat Trailer Question

[Domenic Celeste]

After shore fishing for years i finally bought a used boat this year to allow me to get out on the lakes.



Its an older model crestliner 16.5ft.



I am trying to fit it into my garage, but overall with the trailer it is about a foot too long.



I was thinking of bringin it to a local trailer repair shop and having the tongue modified with a hinge. One shop that I already talked too suggested against it and said that they would not do this type of work.



Another option that a friend suggested was just to shorten the tongue by about a foot.



What do you guys think is my best option. Do you see any problem with shorening the tongue?



Right now the length of the tonge to the triangular shaped support is 40 inches.





Thanks in advance for any input



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[Wes Davis]

Shortened tongue equals much larger turning radius and back wheels of ST deeper in water when launching. You have an adjustable winch mount, it may be possible for you to shorten the tongue and position the boat a little further back on the trailer but I don't think that will solve your garage problem. You may also be able to move your entire boat and winch mount forward on the trialer to get some extra room. This would be a much better option if your boat is hanging a couple of feet off the back of the trailer. Any changes you make will definatley change the way the entire setup handles during trailering and launching, consider all options before making permanent changes. P.S....Make sure you grease those wheel bearings. It looks like a nice boat.

 

[Larry Phillips]

How far down can you trim the motor before the skeg touches the ground? Depending on how low you can get it with a reasonable distance from the ground, that should shave some length off the rig. You'd of course have to trim it back up before you go any kind of distance.

Congrats on the boat, it looks pretty good. I miss weekends on the lake with my parents. I've tossed around the idea of getting a jetski someday.

 

[Gene Marshall]

By making the tongue shorter you will be increasing the probability that you will damage your tailgate. It will change the angles from the trailer ball to the trailer wheels causing shorter turning capabilities.

If it was me, I would hinge the tongue or cut it off and get a piece of tubing that will fit inside the tongue tubing and pin it. hope that makes sense.

 

[Dale Paris]

get piece of tubing that will fit inside the tongue tubing and pin it.



you will need about a 3' piece of the inner tubing. make is scl 80 03 1/4" thick. drill a hole about 8" from the each end of the splice and pin with hitch pins.

 

[douglas brandin 2]

Believe it or not, I have seen places where people have notched out their garage door to accomodate a trailer tongue....................

 

[Greg Hatch]

My searay came with a hinged tongue. I have to fold my tongue in order to get it into my garage. I have never had a problem with the hinged tongue. It actually hinges on a metal bar similar to the one you use to hold your hitch into your receiver. There are acually two of them. One acts as a hinge and the other as a lock. It seems to be a really good system. Never had any problems with it.

 

[Gerald Pierce]

Get it hinged or make it removeable like Dale suggested. I contemplated this when putting my popup in the garage, but ended up squeezing it in by lowering the front so the back bumper will fit over top of my well pump along the rear wall. I now have about 1" to spare (if the tongue is at the wrong height it blocks the sensor for the garage door and it wont go down )



Shortening may cause issues at the ramp and in turns.

 

[Domenic Celeste]

Went to a local shop today and spoke to them about it.

Theya re going to make it removable for me. Welded on one side, 2 holes with pins on the other side. Cost between $50 and $100.

 

[Dale Paris]

good job

 

[Wes Davis]

Post a picture of the weld job removable thingy when their done.

 

[Bill V]

If that doesn't work, I bet you could make it fit by taking the engine off and adding a couple of oars for propulsion.



Must be a pretty light boat, to not even have a trailer jack--at least, lighter than it looks to the naked eye. Note that by shortening the tongue (either by making it removable, or by permanently shortening it), you'll be increasing the effort required to lift it, as your lift point will be moving closer to the fulcrum.



Another option that might have worked--park it outside, with a hitch lock and/or a denver boot to protect it. That's what I do with mine during the summer, then I rent a place to park it during the winter.