Trailer suggestions

[Jbar]

I have an exactly 2 year old Extreme trailer under my 2011 SN200V with all the bells and whistles (20" rims, underwater LED lighting, stainless fenders, white powder coat, swing tongue, stainless rollers to protect bottom of trailer etc) Problem is that with less than 2000miles on the trailer on paved highways the trailer is full of rust. We were assured by our dealer that the powder coated paint was to last much better than a less expesive Boatmate option which the same dealer caries. The Boatmate trailers are traditional sprayed paint not powder coat. Long and short I believe something went wrong when the trailer was prepped for paint at the factory as the rust is coming through the paint (no chips or paint missing) I own a manufacturing bussiness and we have larger steel frameworks powder coated on a regular bases and they last very very well so I am more than familiar with the process. Our dealer thus far has done nothing other than to say they no longer deal with Extreme because of numerous issues but that we should try and contact Extreme on our own. Which is complete BS. We have attempted to contact them and they just simply state they do not warranty paint. Our dealer had the boat over the winter and was supposed to propose a solution for us by spring. Well spring has sprung and they have done nothing and we are now likely going to be forced to purchase another new trailer and I am looking for recomendations. I want a fairly blinged out trailer cuz I just do. The unfortunate part is besides the paint the trailer fits the boat perfectly and it tows well and it loads/unloads with ease. I have several friends with 200V's with boatmate trailers and while they look very nice they do not fit the hull very well. In fact the Boatmate trailers have one set of bunks that do not even contact the hull on the 200V trailer. Both families that I know that have Boatmate trailers on there 200V have a dificult time loading and unloading and my dealer has several 200V's in for Gelcoat repair on the hull bottoms that they have had to cough up the bill for because of the trailers. So I don't really want the Boatmate trailer unless they have changed there design for the 200V. On other boats I know it is a decent trailer so no hard feeling to the guys that have a Boatmate. Any other suggestions out there and where I could order one from in the event that my dealer does not come through for us.

Thanks in advance


PS-I looked into having our trailer repainted but the cost is high. Needs to be dismantled (torsion axles, brake lines, wiring removed etc), sandblasted, repainted and then reassembled all while storing the boat somewheres else.

[BrennanK]

Ramlin. Love mine. 16 Years old and still kicking, almost rust free too. Just get the diamond plate sides, my carpet ones hold the water and that is what causes the rust.
They might not meet your 'bling' factor though. (Never really understood that) I don't know what kind of options Ramlin offers these days.
Ramlin has been custom making trailers for Nautique way longer then all the other trailer manufactures. The load very well, they tow very well, and they are way over built so they last.

[Zach@n3]

We run Phoenix under all of the new boats unless someone specifies otherwise. The fitment for the 200v is great. They are clean and simple and you can "bling" them out.

Why not have someone re seal and paint the extreme if you are in the business? May be cheaper than the other or you may be able to sell it and buy what you want.

[NoWake]

I second Phoenix. We're on our 3rd 200V all with Phoenix trailers and the experience/quality/fit has been great on all of them.

[nyryan2001]

My last under the Malibu was a Phoenix Aluminum I beam. top quality trailer. I think that trailer would have lasted 50years the way it was built. only complaint was a little flex in the Ibeam at the jackstand location when the trailer was on the jackstand only. I did get moderate hull rub from the bunks no matter how carefull I was, not a 100% perfect fit, also often fought centering issues with the stern and the chine/hull steps.

This G23 has a boatmate.... and seriously they must have done custom CAD supervised by NASA engineers to fit it for the G's. I am very consious about hull rub from the bunks....NONE and the trailer 98% self centers the stern due to the way the front hull V rests in the bunks.

A well designed and well fit trailer will have minimum hull rub and will self center. I'd call the head guys at both Boatmate and Phoenix and chat with them...likely you get an idea quickly who has the best trailer for what you think is important. Im fairly certain any of the newer trailers coming out all have LEDs vs incandecents... and all have the synthetic oil hubs vs packed grease bearing buddies.

[swc5150]

One more vote for Phoenix. That's what my brother's 200 sits on (tandem), and it's great. I have no idea why, but it feels like it tows easier than his last Boatmate tandem his 196 sat on. Boatmate trailers are very nice though, the Phoenix just seems a little nicer.

[Blue Ski]

We had a Boatmate under our 200 last year and after the Boatmate trashed the spray chines (understatement, pics attached) we repaired the boat and replaced the Boatmate with Phoenix after quite a bit of research, which included conversations with Phoenix. The owner of Phoenix Trailers is a skier and has a 200, so with some trial and error refined what is a very solid trailer. So far the Phoenix trailer has done very well. I have been happy with its trailering and there are no signs of damage to the boat with the Phoenix.

The pics show how the horrible design of the Boatmate eats and chips at the spray chines. We had chunks out of the chines on both sides. Boatmate's response was that the trailer we had was an improvement on the previous design, which did not have the long wide bunks and therefore allowed the chines to get hooked on the trailer when unloading. Beyond that, they were silent. If you have a Boatmate, I recommend very carefully floating the boat on and off of the trailer until you buy a good trailer.

[Neverenough]

As much as a new trailer cost I bet you could have someone tear down and repaint the one you have.

[81nautique]

I have a boatmate under our 2012 200v and I have no complaints. Tows great, loads great, I trailer every weekend and I just don't see any problems with he way the boat sits on the bunks.

The bunk arrangement Blue ski has is different from mine though so maybe I have a later version. if you like the trailer that you have now I would just have it sand blasted and painted. I'm having a trailer for another boat done now and the cost is $1000.

[Blue Ski]

Here is a Boatmate without the long wide bunks. It was the predecessor to the version we received last year and owners with a 200 on them told us about the chines getting hooked on a steep ramp. http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...t&postid=22705

[Andrew14]

Shameless plug - I have a Ram-Lin tandem axle trailer for sale (used only freshwater.....very light use) from my SANTE 210 that might work for your 200V. Trailer is in excellent condition as boat was kept half of its life on a lift and then trailered 100 yards down the street in my neighborhood to our community ramp (stored indoors when not in use). Let me know if you're interested (I also have it up in the "Gear for sale" section. Would be MUCH cheaper than buying a brand new trailer.

[Blue Ski]

The hull of the 200 has come crazy lines. The Ram-lins have not done well with the 200 either, they get bad wear on the trailer in a key spot. For more on this topic, check out "Ramlin Trailer w/ SN 200" on Ballofspray.com

[Jbar]

Thanks for the great replies. I will look into Pheonix asap. I will also revisit repairing our old trailer but again the actual painting process is not expensive but to powder coat you need to completly disassemble the trailer so it can be sandblasted and rebaked in a paint oven. That means every wire, bolt, brake line, axle etc. Lots of labour and labour in Alberta Canada is very differently priced than most areas due to high employment demand. But I will price it out again. Like the thought of an aluminum trailer though. My enclosed trailer and jetski trailers are aluminum and they wear extremely well for obvious reasons. I have seen the refined Boatmate trailer for the 200v and it does not fit that well or self center. Again great looking trailers and fit well on other boats but the 200v trailer needs redesigning not refining. The hull damage to the chines that I have seen on a number of boats now is severe. If you have deep launches you may get away with it but we do not have that luxury depending on the time of year. Again thanks.

[Zach@n3]

Good luck in your search! Phoenix is pretty cool because if you call the number on the website you are very likely to actually get the owner answering the phone. Chip is a very nice guy that is very interested in 100% customer satisfaction.

[toddrswenson]

I'm having an aluminum trailer built right now. I don't trade my boat in every other year so painted trailers are a pain to me. They show age with every rock chip and just general wear and tear. I take excellent care of my boat and want the trailer to look in the same condition. I sandblasted and painted my last trailer three times.