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I don't want to highjack the thread on keel rollers so I'll start a new one. My new to me Outrage I has a very nice aluminum Magic Tilt trailer. It is however a "float on type". It has no keel rollers and only a couple cross members. In front it has a v notch of what appears to be teflon material to support the bow. The bunks are very long and seem to support the boat well. Will this trailer damage my boat? I had always thought that only roller bunk trailers were bad for Whalers. Seem this Whaler ownership onion has many layers so to speak.

-Bob.

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The old Whalers were meant to be on a bunk trailer with keel rollers because the keel had much more glass than the rest of the bottom. When you put the hull on all roller trailer there is such a small surface of the roller resting against the hull that it can pucker or indent the hull because of the hull is so thin. The float on trailer that I use on my 21' banana hull has only bunks but they are over 10' long and wide and spread the weight over a large area. I have had no problem with it and have had the trailer for 6-7 years. If the ramp is not steep enough I have had trouble getting it off the trailer because it is not floating completely. I should add a longer tonge section to get it futher into the water .

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I think your trailer has plenty of support with the bunks. I would say the boat should not hang off the back of the bunks but if it is sitting completely on the bunks I say your fine.

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Tom is 100% correct, and the bunks should be pasted the transom of the boat for full support. Boston Whalers were designed to be supported by the keel and balanced with the bunks. These trailers with rollers only are junk, as Tom has stated NO Support. The trailer you need are either a full bunk (float on type) or the roller bunk type...Take care

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Clarification on rollers seems to be needed here....

Wobble Rollers = Not good for Whalers
aka Wobble Roller Bunks....

Either a Float on trailer with carpeted Bunks..... (usually carpet is used)
or
Carpeted Bunks and Keel Rollers..........

The newer Whalers come with Float-On trailer if you order the trailer package.

Whaler recommended Bunks and Keel Rollers for the Classic models.
It is hard to beat this type of trailer for the Classics.....
http://www.trailrite.com/galv_-2999_s...9_sing.htm

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This is the trailer I have for my 1991 17' Outrage.

http://www.magictilt.com/index.php?op...;Itemid=40

(You can make a link clickable by selecting the globe button in the reply box, then pasting the link in the middle of the ] [ ~ Phil T)

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I just was out in the garage and took a look at my trailer for my old 1975 16 whaler. The trailer was built by Horizon in Miami (1975 trailer no longer in business) and is tilt trailer as well. The trailer was built using steel channel that was all galvanize. The rollers are all stoltz (replaced by me) and the two bunks were also made a littler longer and extend past the transom. This trailer also has 4 cross members (these trailers were the best at their time). The trailer uses the old style springs. I converted a 1953 Ford truck starter for an electric winch using a 12 inch v pulley to turn the winch. Works great...Take care

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Thanks for the advice Phil. I think I'll be alright with my current trailer. I measured my bunks and they are 8' long and 4" wide with full contact. I was thinking of adding a couple of keel rollers but I don't think 2 keel rollers would do much. On another note I had the boat out yesterday for an afternoon in wolfboro. I'm really liking this boat and the recent New England weather!