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Topic: Kayak trailer advise needed  (Read 1873 times)

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Tonymoore55

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Hi guys,  I'm new to the sport ok Kayak fishing.  Still have a to demo a few more but I'm looking at the Hobie Pro Angler 14 a my Kayak of choice.    I need advise on the best trailer.  I've seen the Malone and recently saw a Triton.  Any suggestions?  I'm a disabled vet bilateral knees and shoulders so both weight and height of the trailer is important .  Would like to hear from HOW members also.


FishingForTheCure

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I have a Trailex (I think) with the Hobie Cradles on it for an AI and have been happy with the trailer so far.


RacinRob

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You need to look at a trailer with a very low loading deck. With your injuries that is a heavy boat to put up very high on any trailer. Some type of real roller type boat trailer would be perfect.
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FishingForTheCure

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Also depends a bit if you just want a trailer to haul it there with & plan to beach launch or a trailer to launch the kayak from.  I have mine setup as a "launch ramp only" setup.


Mienboy

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I had a ez loader for mine but they are quite expensive
My biggest worry is that my wife(when I'm dead)will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it


SOMA

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Check out the trailers at Harbor Freight.  Build it up to suit your needs.


isaacgainz

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My opinion  is the part is a small boat. Had an outback  and sold it due to the weight . 
Isaac Gainz


mako1

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I own a 4x8 foot FeatherLite trailer. I use it for a pram as well as my yak/s. It is low, light, and a breeze to move around because of the aluminum construction. I put some Yakima towers and bars on it too.
I'll post a pic if I can get my camera to work.
If you don't know where you're headed, any road could get you there.


Tonymoore55

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thanks for the advise everyone.  I've narrowed it down to a Triton and a Trailblazer.  Although the Malone is very popular,  it sits four to six inches higher which is a negitive point for me due to my disabilities.


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I used a single jet ski trailer.  Replaced the bucks with 4" PVC pipe



I use a jon-boat cover and strap the kayak to the trailer using the buckles on the cover;





Eastbay-Joe

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Nice looking boat and trailer!
2016 Hobie Revo 13.....I'd rather be fishing...

To my grandfather, who taught me how to fish, miss you grandpa...


Tonymoore55

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Now that's the best idea I've seen yet.  Thanks Jerry.  I'll let you know what I come up with.


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I decided to get a PA to use for fishing and hunting.  After research, I figured my best route was to build a trailer for it.  I have read several threads on trailers for my Pro Angler over on the Hobie Cat Forum for Pro Anglers;
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=78
 and decided that would start with a single jet ski / PWC trailer and add the plastic pipe for bunks.  On craigslist I found several and negotiated a price of $300 for the one you see here.  It was stored indoors and in near perfect shape.  The owner had decided to get a second PWC so his girlfriend would have one and was looking to get a dual trailer.  Trailer home, the work begins;

Removed the bunks off the trailer, those 2x6 carpet covered boards the PWC rested on.




Next I started to mount the hardware that would hold the pipe bunks.  This hardware is from a salvage shop near where I live that contractors use.  It’s called “Uni-Strut”.  I’ve seen some trailers on here that use it to build a frame over their kayak trailer to hold a storage box;


The uni-strut has a goldish plating like anodize but it’s steel.  I also used lock nuts. 


All four brackets are now mounted, but not tightened.  The brackets can rotate and that adjusts the spacing between the bunks. 


I cut the first tube to a length that allowed less than an inch overlap at the rear, and a foot in the front. Then I marked the second tube and cut it too.  I used a sawsall with a hacksaw blade on it. 


One at a time, I took off the bracket and marked, then drilled the holes.  I rotated the tube so the holes would be in the lettering.  That way I knew exactly were on the far end to mark length-wise.  I also oval out the holes length wise so that when the PA is on the trailer, the bunks and sag under the load and wrap the bottom.  If I hadn’t, they would not have flexed as easy.


I pre bent the washers so they wouldn’t crush the plastic tube.  I won’t be tightening the fasteners, just snugging them so the bunks can float on the oval holes I drilled.


Installed washers only snug tightened lock nuts.


With all four ends mounted, I can now adjust my bunks.  Here’s a series of photos showing the range and my final measurements.  Outside to outside on 4” tubes is 16” and center to center is 11 ¼”.  The center to center should be good for any size tube you use.  A smaller diameter than 4” could be used on the tube, but I chose it due to the unsupported span I had; 5 feet.  I’ve seen on line here, trailers with 2” tubes but there was a support mid span.





Final product!!



Here’s the PA on the trailer.



Here’s photos close-up under and where the bunks meet the PA.  As the weight begins to flex the bunks, the slots I drilled in will allow the bunk to sag properly and form-fit to the bottom of the PA
REAR:


FRONT



The hardware store had these plugs.  They were red and had a gasket and wing nut on them.  I think red is for 4”.  I could only find a photo of a 3” plug.  If you put a plug in each end and had sealed the drilled holes, these tubes could be used for storage.


Well, there you go.  Total cost was under $50 for materials from Home Depot and the local contractor salvage and a store called Habitat for Humanity where people donate construction stuff and they sell it to raise money to build homes. With the original $300 investment in the trailer, I found this to be pretty economical way to haul my PA around and store it too.



FishingForTheCure

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ScottV

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Jerry, you need to sell me that trailer for $350 so I don't need to bring my car when I use my rv.
So long and thanks for all the fish!!!
`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>

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