Trailering Your Oar Cruiser

Jim Michalak’s essay on trailering … very thorough… a ‘must-read’ article if you are going to trailer your boat.  Just one of the illustrations in this article that solves a problem: How to support a flat bottom boat on the trailer.

Jim Michalak Suggestion to Use a Plywood Base to Support the Hull

Chuck Leinweber's (Duckworks Magazine and Boat Builder’s Supply) article on using a  Harbor Freight Trailer to carry his "Ladybug" and a follow-up article on his modifications to the Harbor Freight trailer. For example, he added a tongue and a third wheel, like this:

An Added Tongue and Third Wheel to a Harbor Freight Trailer

Shorty Routh (of PDR fame) wrote this article on his modifications to Harbor Freight trailers, such as this one:

Shorty Routh's Wood Post

For my own Lillistone Flint (14' 7", 125 pounds) I use a light weight "Load Rite" trailer similar to this one. I've been very happy with it.

Light Weight Load Rite Trailer with 1000 Pound Capacity

A safety check list for trailering that was in multiple sites I visited for this post:

• Coupler, hitch and hitch ball are of the same size
• Coupler and safety chains are safely secured to the hitch of the tow vehicle
• All fasteners are properly tightened
• Boat is securely tied down to trailer (winch line is not a tie down)
• Wheel lug nuts are properly tightened
• Wheel bearings are properly adjusted and maintained
• Load is within maximum load carrying capacity
• Tires are properly inflated
• All trailer lighting is working properly
• Trailer brakes are properly adjusted and working (if trailer is so equipped)
• Brakes and additional equipment meet all local and state requirements