float on catamaran trailer

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Float-on trailers keeping boaters connected to the water.

By Ed Killer of TCPalm

VERO BEACH ? As the boating industry idles through a struggling economy, small businesses are having to "think outside the box."

For one family-owned and operated company in Vero Beach, what keeps it afloat is creating ways to get the "box" down to the water.

Float-On Boat Trailers president Tim Poppell agrees that virtually everyone in, or attached to, the business of new boat sales has experienced fewer receipts the past three years. But Poppell said he received a huge dose of encouragement last month.

"Sales usually drop off toward the end of the summer in our business," Poppell said. "Vacations are over, boating season is coming to an end, and kids are back in school.

"I'm not sure why, but this past August was one of the busiest we ever had."

The Poppell family has owned Float-On for 26 years and at the present time employ 11 workers. Float-On builds trailers to carry boats as small as kayaks to those as unique as a 40-foot jet-drive catamaran or sailboat with a retractable keel.

Attention to detail, innovation, commitment to quality/service are three reasons the boat trailer builder continues to be an industry leader. Many years ago, the Poppells made the decision to assemble the axles in their own facility instead of buying them pre-assembled from a supplier. Doing so, Poppell said, ensures that each bearing inside each hub is installed properly. The company also installs the disc brakes.

"It's a safety issue; a matter of human life," Poppell said. "We install brakes on every axle that leaves our shop. It's actually the law. Yet some trailer manufacturers, even those that do a lot of their business in the state, will either not put the brakes on at all or will only put them on one axle."

Float-On is best known for being the first trailer company to use aluminum I-beam construction and inventing torsion suspension to truly make it a trailer capable of withstanding the vigorous corrosive test of frequent use in saltwater. Now, Float-On's ability to work with customers to fabricate customized products is buoying its reputation.

Cases in point: Float-On is completing a trailer with a tilt feature on the tongue to accommodate a flat-bottom mud boat for the Charleston County, S.C. sheriff's department. The company recently delivered an oversized aluminum gooseneck trailer to marry with a prototype vessel built by Lockheed-Martin at its facility in Washington state.

Float-On craftsmen are close to delivery of a trailer for a customer with a 29-foot Jupiter with a need for a lower profile in order to fit into a garage. They specially designed lower cross-beams and added an axle in order to maintain adequate tire size.

Poppell said he welcomes the challenges customers bring him.

"Our philosophy has always been ?What do we do to accomplish this?'" he said.

"We believe there are two kinds of people out there: Those who own a Float-On and those who want to."

FLOAT-ON TRAILERS

In business: More than 30 years

Owners: The Poppell family of Vero Beach

President: Tim Poppell

Location: Vero Beach

Product: Aluminum

Origin: First immersible aluminum boat trailer on the market

Innovation: Invented Posi-Latch bow system; Adjustable pivoting bunks; Torsion axle system

Dealer network: More than 200 nationwide

Information: www.floaton.com .

DID YOU KNOW?

Float-On Trailers was partners on the recent delivery of two specialized oiled wildlife collection boats built and delivered to the Gulf Coast by Dragonfly Boats in Vero Beach.

BOAT TRAILER MAINTENANCE TIPS

Wash down trailer with fresh water every time trailer is used.

Check trailer hubs and bearings occasionally and before long trips.

Keep bearings greased.

Check brake lights every time trailer is used.

Check turn signals every time trailer is used.

Have a spare trailer wheel just in case.

Source: DiscoverBoating.com.

About Ed Killer

Ed Killer is the outdoors columnist and a member of the Indian River Lagoon coverage team at Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com. He is a Treasure Coast native and has covered fishing and boating in this community since 1994.

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Towing A Boat

In this guide, we are going to take a look at all of the different questions and helpful hints about towing a boat! Let’s get started with a simple question.

What Does Trailering A Boat Mean?

Table of Contents

Towing a boat or trailing a boat refers to transporting or hauling a boat to any destination using a vehicle and a trailer to get it there. To put it simply, trailing means pulling something behind you, so trailing a boat means pulling a boat.

What Is The Best Way To Tow A Boat?

There is a quick and straightforward way to tow a boat, but first, you must perform a safety inspection on the hitch. Once that’s done, you can follow the list below. 

• Back your vehicle up to the nose of the boat. Raise the hitch of the boat a couple of inches from the tongue of the vehicle. Back up slowly so your vehicle is just under the towing hitch of the boat. After that, lower the towing hitch down to the car.
• Once you have coupled the boat to the hitch of your vehicle, lock the lever on the towing hitch and hook the chains on both sides of the tongue on the car.
• Make sure there is a 6-12-inch clearance between the chain and the ground.

Do you need a new hitch for your trailer? We offer trailer hitches in KY .

How Fast Can You Drive While Towing A Boat?

Boat manufacturers recommend a 60-70 mph speed when driving down an interstate while towing a boat. Driving faster than the recommended speed may cause damage to the towing hitch and cause the boat to lose balance and flip. At higher speeds, the stopping distance shortens, and you cannot stop the boat in time, which could result in a collision.

How Much Does An Average Boat Weigh?

The average weight of boats varies depending on the type of boat. In the section below, we’ll show you the type of boat as well as the weight of the boat and what vehicle can be used for towing a boat.

What Towing Capacity Do You Need To Tow A Boat?

The average capacity you need for towing a boat is one that can pull an average weight of 1,800 lbs. Most towing vehicles don’t have a problem towing a boat that weighs between 1,000 to 2,000 lbs. But since every vehicle differs, you must check the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) sticker. You can find the sticker on the side of the driver-side door jam.

You can also find the GVWR sticker on the boat’s rear to ensure you don’t exceed the limit. You can also see the tongue capacity, which is located on the gooseneck on the back of the car. There is often a question of what vehicle can tow more than others. We dove into this topic in our article about truck towing capacity !

Towing A Boat For Long Distance

You can definitely tow a boat long distances, but before you tow a boat for a long distance, there needs to be some preparation. We’ll go over some easy checklist preparation steps to prepare your boat for long distances so that you do not damage either the boat or your vehicle.

• First , don’t pack everything on one side of the boat. Try distributing the weight all over the boat and packing some luggage in the bed of the pickup truck.
• Second, walk around the trailer and torque the lug nuts on the boat trailer tires. Make sure they are tight so that you don’t have a tire flying around when driving down an interstate.
• Third , after you have packed everything in your boat, check the tire pressure of the boat trailer and the spare tire.
• Fourth , you must ensure the boat is level since an un-level trailer could be very dangerous to drive. You will have a higher risk of fishtailing and loss of steering capability. To see if the boat’s trailer is level, you can place the 4’-foot level on the fender or eyeball it. Make sure you level the trailer after you have loaded the boat as well. The boat’s weight will shift if leveling is done before loading.
• Fifth , hitch your boat’s trailer to the truck’s gooseneck. After connecting the trailer, make sure to wrap your trailer with plastic before you cover it. If you’re towing the boat for a long distance with just the cover and not protecting the gunnel of your boat with plastic wrap would cause scratches on your trailer. 
• Sixth , after you have wrapped the trailer with plastic, you can cover the boat. Covering the boat is very important if you have loaded the boat with your gear. You don’t want equipment flying out in the wind. Even if you don’t have anything in your trailer, we recommend you cover your boat so that the inside of the boat doesn’t get damaged.
• Seventh , once the weight is distributed all over the boat, and the boat is level, the last step is to walk around the boat to ensure all the trailer lights function properly. Check the brake light, the turn lights, and the reverse lights.
• Eighth , Once you are packed up, everything is secure, all lights work, you are good to go; enjoy your trip.

Best Way To Tow A Boat Out Of Water

There are many tricks to towing a boat in the water and out of the water. The easy way is to first back up your towing vehicle with the trailer straight. Lower the trailer to about the fender of the car and drive your boat straight on the trailer; if you’re having difficulties getting the boat on the trailer, try lowering or raising the tow, and adjust the trailer to align straight up with the trailer.

After your boat is secured on the trailer, get back in the vehicle and tilt the tongue of the gooseneck. If you don’t tilt your trailer when towing a boat in the water, the boat’s engine will hit the ramp. We recommend you get a second person when towing a boat. One in the truck and one in the vehicle.

3 Best Types Of Boat Trailers

If you have a boat or are looking to buy a boat, you will need a boat trailer to haul your boat from your home to the lake. Boat trailers are excellent investments since you can bring the boat anywhere, at any time. You could also use the trailer to store your boat on as well. There are multiple boat trailers, each with different costs, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s take a deeper look below

Bunk Trailers

Bunk trailers are one of the most common trailers for boats under 19’. Bunk trailers are affordable and have a lower maintenance requirement than other boat trailers. Bunk trailers also help to support and protect the boat keel with pressure-treated boards running on the side of the trailer that spread the trailer’s weight. Bunk trailers are simple and easy to use.

Bunk Trailer Cost  

Depending on the material and the number of axles (single or tandem axles), these trailers cost between $1,600 & $5,800 

Bunk Trailer Advantages

• Simple to unload and load a boat on land
• Little maintenance
• Has fewer parts 
• Bunk trailers do not require deep water at the ramp to unload a boat

Bunk Trailer Disadvantages

• Doesn’t haul boats bigger than 19’
• Difficult to launch and recover the trailer

Float-On Trailers

Float-on trailers are for bigger types of boats that require the need to be submerged deep in the water. Float-on trailers give you the ability to load and unload your boat in the water. 

Float-On trailers cost

Depending if the trailer is aluminum or steel, the average size float on trailers costs between $3,000 & $9,760

Float-on Trailers Advantages 

• Easy to launch and recover in water
• Can also haul small to medium-sized boats
• Great maneuverability
• Durable and long-lasting

Float-on Trailers Disadvantages

• More maintenance required

Roller trailers

Roller trailers are ideal for loading and unloading boats on narrow ramps. Roller trailers are highly maneuverable, as well as durable, and made of long-lasting materials. Roller trailers, unlike float-on trailers, do not need to be completely submerged in water to load a boat. This is a significant benefit for a roller trailer because the parts are not exposed to water, reducing the risk of rusting. Roller trailers are great for rocky and shallow ramps as well.

Roller trailers cost

Depending on the material and size, the average cost for a roller trailer cost ranges between $1,000 & $12,000.

Roller trailer advantages

• Easy to launch and recover a boat
• It can be used as boat storage on land
• It doesn’t need to be submerged in water
• Great for any sized boats
• Great for rocky and shallow ramps

Roller trailer disadvantages

• Has high maintenance costs
• It needs more support for the hull of bigger boats

Trailers in Bowling Green, Kentucky

If you are looking for a trailer to haul your load, contact us to get some help! We have been in the trailer business for many years, so we would be happy to help answer any questions you may have about boat trailers!

Float-On boat trailers is the original saltwater boat trailer. Over 48 years ago, Float-On Boat Trailers Co. was founded out of a realization that what serious boaters needed was a true saltwater trailer. Our goal, then and now, is to provide you with a boat trailer that not only looks great, but gets you to your favorite fishing spot time and time again, with the least amount of problems.

Answering the need, float-on came up with the best of all possibilities: an aluminum i-beam frame that won’t rust, hot dipped galvanized torsion suspension which out-lasts better then any leaf spring and stainless steel nuts and bolts. around 1980, float-on replaced the large wooden bunk and introduced a carpet covered wooden cap aluminum bunk. over the years, we continuously improved our trailers with new ideas such as our now patented all aluminum adjustable bunk that pivots to snug the bottom of your hull as you retrieve your boat., float-on is best known for being the first trailer company to use aluminum i-beam construction and inventing torsion suspension to truly make it a trailer capable of withstanding the vigorous corrosive test of frequent use in saltwater. now, float-on’s ability to work with customers to fabricate customized products is buoying its reputation..

CHOOSING THE RITE TRAILER: BUNK VS. ROLLER

Bunk Trailers

Bunk trailers provide a classic, time-tested design and solid value. They offer superior hull support and security, making them an ideal choice for steep launching conditions and for boats that spend a lot of time stored on the trailer.

Roller Trailers

Roller trailers provide easy loading and launching in all conditions and water levels. For boaters who launch alone or those who face challenging ramp and tidal conditions, a roller model will get you loaded or launched in no time.

NEED HELP FINDING THE RITE TRAILER? FIND A LOAD RITE DEALER NEAR YOU

CHOOSING THE RITE MATERIAL: Aluminum VS. Galvanized

Aluminum provides natural corrosion resistance with less weight than a comparable steel frame, saving you fuel and valuable payload.

Hot-dipped galvanized steel provides exceptional strength and durability, resisting corrosion in challenging marine conditions, including salt.

CHOOSING THE RITE Axles: SINGLE VS.Tandem/Tri-Axle

Single Axle

Single axle trailers are suited for boats up to about 20 feet in length. Your Load Rite dealer will help you select the appropriate configuration for your trailer.

Tandem/Tri-Axle

Tandem and tri-axle trailers are suited for boats of roughly 20 feet and up. Your Load Rite dealer will help you select the appropriate configuration for your trailer.

Our catamaran trailers provide Load Rite’s advanced frame and bunk designs and a range of standard and optional features to securely haul your catamaran and make launching and loading easier. Choose from durable galvanized steel or lightweight aluminum frames. All of our catamaran trailers feature the advanced designs and heavy-duty construction that set Load Rite trailers apart from the crowd.

No Matches Found

Load Rite Galvanized Catamaran

Load Rite Aluminum Catamaran

4760 East Bay Dr., Suite B

Clearwater, FL 33764

727.535.5561

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At Magic Tilt, we make the most complete line of Aluminum Trailers in the industry. This product line diversity reflects the many unique boating conditions that our dealers serve.

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At Magic Tilt, we make the most complete line of Galvanized Trailers in the industry. This product line diversity reflects the many unique boating conditions that our dealers serve.

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MAGIC TILT BOAT TRAILERS

Magic Tilt has been building quality boat trailers since 1953. As a family owned and operated business, we are located in Clearwater, Florida and have a strong business presence in the southeast United States. We also ship nation-wide and internationally. Magic Tilt excels in building aluminum and galvanized steel trailers designed for salt water applications. We are grateful to our employees and business partners for our successes over the years as an industry leader.

We are a wholesale manufacturer that works closely with our dealer partners. To find one of our dealers in your area, click the button to find your local resource.

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• Trailers and Towing

Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer

• Thread starter MikeM40
• Start date Aug 2, 2007

Seaman Apprentice

• Aug 2, 2007

My trailer bent today so I need to find a good used trailer. What are the pros and cons of each. I have a 19.5 ft bowrider. PS now my boat is sitting on a trailer that barley moves, Any suggestions best way to move it? Thanks in advance  

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer They can both work correctly on most boats with some boats that do require bunks OR Keel rollers I have not seen many LI ramps were you need rollers to launch BUT there are a lot of both types of trailers here I would say with the saltwater you need to keep on top of the roller condition as they will stop rolling with no care Tommays  

tashasdaddy

Honorary moderator emeritus.

• Aug 3, 2007

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer the up keep on roller trailers is a PITA. just had to tie a boat to a tree in order to slide it off the trailer for maintainance. none of the rollers would turn. was worse than a bunk trailer.  

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer The last two wobble rollers are the only ones on my trailer that have ever been in the brine. I use a little Boeshield on the axles of the rollers a couple of times each season and after 15 years it still works fine. I like the fact that it is self centering, I never have to get the hubs wet, and I can load and unload in cross currents and winds with very little effort. I love my roller trailer.  

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer It depends on the boat for me, I have my 17' aluminum boat on a roller trailer and it's a real breeze to load, but my bass boat and even my trihull are on bunk trailers. It's all in how and where you are launching and on what type of support you need for a particular boat. My aluminum boat is light and it would work well on either type, but since I load in shallow water and often alone, the roller works best for me. My trihull sits super nice on a pair of twin 3x4" custom made bunks that I cut to fit the contour of the inner area of the hull. That trailer requires it be dunked up to the front axle to get the boat on just right.  

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer Don't get a trailer with a boxed in or tube frame. Get angle iron or C channel. Galvanized is a plus in freshwater & a must in salt or brackish water. Rollers are good only if they roll. Most don't roll long. Silicone spray on carpeted bunks made sliding your boat off much easier. How to move it depends on where & how severe the bend is.  

SuzukiChopper

Senior chief petty officer.

• Aug 4, 2007

gejandsons said: Don't get a trailer with a boxed in or tube frame. Get angle iron or C channel. Click to expand...

WaterWitch2

Chief petty officer.

SuzukiChopper said: I'm curious as to why you don't recommend a boxed or tube style frame? Click to expand...

WaterWitch2 said: Boxed or tube style can trap water and rust out where the ends are closed wherever they meet another part of the trailer. My latest trailer is C-channel and has no rust except where the winch post mounts. I had to replace that piece of 3"x3" square box because it was rusted through. It was 3/16" thick wall. I drilled a 1/2" drain hole in the new piece on the end that is closed off. Click to expand...

Supreme Mariner

SuzukiChopper said: Thanks for that explanation. If it was galvanized or stainless I don't see that being a big deal if there are drainage channels but it makes perfect sense to not even have to deal with it. Click to expand...

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer I've owned both bunk and roller trailers and had excellent results with both. IMHO: Design, quality manufacture and proper fit to the boat are more important than the bunk versus roller issue. All that said, my roller trailers would launch and retrieve better on 'difficult' ramps and require less immersion getting the boat on and off. This feature has some importance around here (Pacific Ocean) as a roller trailer will let you launch the boat on a minus tide when you may not have a lot of ramp extending below the waterline. If that issue isn't a concern where you boat... then a bunk will work just fine... if there is any chance you'll ever launch in saltwater, get a galvanized trailer... heck, get a galvanized trailer anyway, lasts a long time fresh or salt.  

• Aug 13, 2007

dingbat said: It depends on the design of the trailer as well. I have Loadrite made from galv. box tubing. It's designed such that both ends of the tubes are open on all member so water can't get trapped anywhere. It?s used in SW and it still shows no signs of rust after 10 years of service. Click to expand...

Fleet Admiral

• Aug 22, 2007

Re: Pros and Cons Roller Vs. Float on Trailer With any trailer it's a matter of proper fit and adjustment. I've seen a few roller trailers on which the rollers indented the glass in spots while on the trailer, but that can be avoided by simply having enough rollers and with proper placement. On my Load Rite under my 16' aluminum Starcraft, I can push my hand in between any of the individual rollers, it has very little weight on any one roller which spreads out the load very well. It makes for a very soft touch on the boat hull. The same goes for bunks, they need to be properly placed and should extend as far as possible to support as much of the lower hull length as possible.  

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Every boat owner needs a great boat trailer to go with their watercraft. Boat trailers allow you to take the boat in and out of the water for storage or service, and they also allow you to transport your boat from one body of water to the next.

When you’re selecting a trailer for your boat, you’ll want to consider the weight of your boat and the length of your boat. You want your trailer to be slightly longer than your boat, and you want to ensure the trailer has a high enough gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, to handle your watercraft. Keep in mind the weight of your boat is the boat plus the engine, fuel, and onboard gear. Lighter weight boats can be towed using a single axle boat trailer, but if you have a larger boat, you’ll want to invest in a double axle boat trailer.

We carry leading boat trailer brands like EZ Loader and Magic Tilt so that your next trip to the boat ramp is quick and easy. Get started by searching new boat trailers today.

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Sold by: Joe's Trailer Mfg 26' GENESIS PONTOON TRAILER HOT DIPPED GALVENIZED LOW PROFILE DESIGN TO REDUCES WIND RESISTANCE LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY WHILE TOWING HEAVY 11 GAUGE TUBIING FOR A STRONGER FRAME HIGH SPEED 13&qu[...]

2024 Genesis Trailers Tandem PC24

Sold by: Joe's Trailer Mfg 24' GENESIS CRANK UP PONTOON TRAILER Introducing our heavy-duty trailer with a 4,900 lbs GVWR, featuring a fully-welded 11 gauge frame, crank-up tongue jack, high-speed tires, and an equalizer s[...]

Sold by: Joe's Trailer Mfg 24' GENESIS CRANK UP PONTOON TRAILER Hot Dipped Galvenized Heavy 11G tubi ng Tongue Jack Grease Zerks on all Axles 42" wide frame to accommodate most pontoons Equalizer suspension system Lo[...]

2024 Genesis Trailers Tandem PC22

Sold by: Joe's Trailer Mfg 22' GENESIS CRANK UP PONTOON TRAILER Hot Dipped Galvenized Heavy 11G tubi ng Tongue Jack Grease Zerks on all Axles 42" wide frame to accommodate most pontoons Equalizer suspension system L[...]

2024 Aluma 8414RT

Sold by: Smouse Trailers & Snow Equipment NEW 2024 Aluma 14' Raft Trailer w/ Roller & Winch CASH, CHECK OR FINANCING PRICE $3599!!! Model: 8414RT Weight: 600# Bed Size: 84" x 168" 2200# Rubber torsion axle - No brakes - Ea[...]

Sale   ON ORDER   SPECIAL  

2024 Aluma 8412RT

Sold by: Smouse Trailers & Snow Equipment NEW 2024 Aluma 12' Raft Trailer w/ Roller & Winch Model: 8412RT CASH OR CHECK PRICE $3399!!! Weight: 525# Bed Size: 84" x 144" 2200# Rubber torsion axle - No brakes - Easy lube hub[...]

2025 Load Rite LR-AWV2300T

Sold by: Smouse Trailers & Snow Equipment NEW 2025 Load Rite ALL ALUMINUM Double Jet Ski Trailer **Our aluminum PWC trailers provide heavy-duty performance with the weight-saving benefits of the industry's finest extruded I-beam alumin[...]

2025 Load Rite WV2300T

Sold by: Smouse Trailers & Snow Equipment NEW 2025 Load Rite Double Jet Ski GALVANIZED Trailer w/ Swing up Jack **SWING UP JACK** GVW: 2794# Unladen: 494# Payload: 2300# **MODEL: WV2300T** LR805 Features: Axle: Torsion Tire Size: LT145R[...]

Sold by: Smouse Trailers & Snow Equipment NEW 2025 Load Rite Double Jet Ski GALVANIZED Trailer w/ Swing up Jack **SWING UP JACK** GVW: 2794# Unladen: 494# Payload: 2300# **MODEL: WV2300T** LR804 Features: Axle: Torsion Tire Size: LT145R[...]

2025 Load Rite 16150076DWT

Sold by: Smouse Trailers & Snow Equipment NEW 2025 LOAD RITE 16'1" Small & Wider V-Bunk Boat Trailer w/ Swing Up Jack **LOAD RITE GALVANIZED SMALL SINGLE AXLE BUNK 18' AND UNDER** **Our Elite galvanized V-bunk models prov[...]

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