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Launch Day! Photos are not specifically of the trailer setup, but I hope it gives you an idea.

I have the oil bath bearings on EZ Loader trailers for the Belhaven 19 and CS17. They have been trouble free for years and still showing oil half full. Also a big fan of the LED lights. I'm a lazy "float on", "float off' guy. I've mounted a 2x12 plank down the middle of the trailers and it works well as a walking ramp during retrieval. Even with boots on, keeping your feet out of the 50F water is important for winter sailing because you'll never get them warm again. On the lighter boat (CS17), I built a simple frame to rest across the cockpit where the straps cross it. This allows me to strap the boat down tight enough to prevent it bouncing around on the trailer. The ratchet strap tie-downs stay fixed to the frame which also saves a few minutes each launching. I say go galvanized and don't spend a moment worrying about getting the trailer wet. A million ways to do this and they're all right.

Lots of good thoughts so far. As mentioned earlier one of the challenges in finding a suitable trailer is that trailers designed for a twenty foot boat are also designed for much heavier boats. I ordered my trailer with an extended tongue. This allowed me to move the winch post further forward and fit a longer boat on the trailer. The tongue was longer than I needed so I cut it off to the desired length. ouch. I also removed one of leaves from the springs. Having an axle that can be moved fore and aft to adjust tongue weight is almost mandatory. If you are storing in a confined space make sure the total rig length will fit. A wide wheel base can allow the boat to sit a little lower. The fenders can make a convenient step for entering exiting the boat. However it is easier to drop a wheel off the pavement and negotiating fuel stations, curbs, becomes more challenging. I adapted Graham's launch technique. I have six keel rollers. Five should be plenty. I back until the tires just kiss the water and the boat rolls off. The trailer never gets wet. Six years of salt water and no indication of corrosion problems. Winching up does take a little effort. Also be mindful of what the boat will contact when it inadvertently comes off the rollers. Not much is required of the forward two or three rollers and your average roller will do. The stern roller must carry a significant portion of the boat weight and roll freely. After the first couple of launches I installed a Stoltz roller back there and no problems since. I never considered trailer brakes. I figured the tow weight was low enough and besides trailer brakes would soon be rusted and useless. If you are launching off the keel rollers and keeping the trailer dry, brakes may be worth considering if you a towing with a small vehicle.

I recently replaced my old, modified gal steel trailer with an aluminium trailer. I really like it so far. Like Graham I hate putting the hubs in the water but because I have a sizable overhang of the stern at the rear of the trailer I now submerge the trailer to reduce stress on the frame. My wheels are fitted with bearing buddies and I rig the boat before launching to let the hubs cool before hitting cold water. I also pump a bit more grease after each retrieval. I took the hubs apart last weekend and no sign of water getting in.

Thanks Steve, This is a subject almost everyone can appreciate. And having all the comments consolidated on one thread is a great idea. For the the couple of small boats I have built, finding an appropriate trailer has been a challenge. I have several miles of gravel road (yup, warshboard) just to get to the highway, so any trip is rough from the get-go. The comments about rollers, bunks, etc. and their placement are helpful. I haven’t removed leaves from any springs to make a softer ride yet; but that’s something worth trying. I’m not all that close to putting my OB20 on a trailer (it’s still upside down), but it’s fun to think about it. I’ve always thought i’d buy a used trailer and modify it to fit the boat, rather than having a new one built for it. Comments on that plan please. Carter

See the thread I just started.....