The trailer started life in 1996 as the steel cradle seen here. It was very well built with little sign of serious rusting. After sandblasting her, we welded a short tongue to the frame and bought, through the Northern Equipment catalogue, a single axle, surge brakes, springs, fenders, 1500lb capacity tongue jack,  a hydraullic surge hitch, heavy duty tires, a spare tire and a light package. The tricky part was getting the location of the axle right so we could achieve the right balance and tongue weight. This involved some assistance from the S&S office. The assembly of all the parts is fun as long as you have a mechanic friend who knows about things like hydraullic surge brakes.

We have a 12’ extension and a removable tongue wheel that makes launching easier. The wheel stores on top of the tongue. After positioning on the ramp, the trailer wheels are blocked, the trailer disconnected, the tongue wheel moved to the down position and the jack swung up. The extension is connected to the hitch on the trailer and on the truck. With this one axle system you have to be sure you have your weight distribution right, especially on a steep ramp. A light tongue is not good - I think 500# minimum and 800# maximum is the right range. While connected to the trailer hitch there is no problem. If the backing down process is jerky or stops abruptly the tongue "joint" could lift - not a big problem when the boat is above water, but a big problem if on the steeper, dry part of the ramp. This owner has, many times, put his 200 lbs to good use as insurance by standing on the tongue over the wheel. Maybe this is why people invest in double axle trailers? Another consideration is that a short tongue means no tight turns.

The trailer has a removable 'nose' post to help align the boat when she is being pulled out. This can be a bit tricky without a winch to hold her on nose as the boat will settle in whatever attitude she has when she no longer floats - this is a variable event by poppet. Putting a ring in Marionette's bow is not an option! Anyway, we always manage to get it done and get her home. The trailer passed the CT MVD inspection and has a 6000lb rating. Total cost was less than $2000 vs the Triad quote of $3300 at that time (1997). But the real savings is that she can fit in a barn that is only 28’ deep. The overall length of this trailer with boat is 26’. A Triad with boat would be about 8’ longer.

The trailer in the barn. That 2x4 in the foreground was a temporary brace for the verticle nose support you see in the prior photo. It has been replaced by a removable 1 1/2 in OD pipe with U flanges welded to both ends. Click for a larger image.

On the road - the normal trip is 4-5 miles to the launch ramp or boatyard.

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On September 9, 2008 this trailer made its first ever long haul 275 miles from Southport Is/Boothbay, Maine back to Old Lyme, CT. This trip was approached with some anxiety. She came through with flying colors. I learned one lesson about trailering a heavy load at 65 on the highway - do not look at the trailer - its scary. Kind of like a dinghy in a following sea... Here she is delivering Marionette safely back to her barn.

Please note that the trailer lights work!