Setting-Up and Using Boating Utility Trailer

[Boulter]

Hi:

I bought a covered utility trailer from the guy down the road to be used specifically as a boating utility trailer. It is about 4 feet wide by 4 high by 6 deep. Gross weight for both the trailer and tow vehicle is 2000 pounds.

I envision it mostly as a tool shed holding heavy duty maintenence stuff such as sanders and grinders, maybe a bench vice - the kind of stuff you would want at the boat on a heavy duty work detail weekend, but not necessarily want IN the boat and be sailing around with, for weight, storage and theft risk reasons.

Of course theft risk is a complicated issue. When at the boat over night does one then have to unload the tool trailer onto the boat?

Another usage would be to take high value items off the boat (electronics and sails? ) to mitigate theft issues when away from the boat.

Has anyone else developed a similar trailer or otherwise have suggestions as to how to productively outfit and use one?

As I don't yet have a boat, I need some boat related projects to keep me going through the winter.

Boulter

[denverd0n]

I would think that the smart move would be to not set it up in too permanent a way until you have been using it for a while. My guess is that as you use it your use will evolve. So in a year or two you may be using it in a very different way than you envision right now, before you even have the boat.

As such, I would probably set up some temporary racks and shelves, in whatever fashion seemed appropriate. As time goes on, and you use it more and more, change the arrangement to better suit your actual use.

[James S]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

I would think that the smart move would be to not set it up in too permanent a way until you have been using it for a while. My guess is that as you use it your use will evolve. So in a year or two you may be using it in a very different way than you envision right now, before you even have the boat.

As such, I would probably set up some temporary racks and shelves, in whatever fashion seemed appropriate. As time goes on, and you use it more and more, change the arrangement to better suit your actual use.

I'm thinking this is good advice. Much like a new (to you) boat.....its often best to sail her a bit before making what may seem to be obvious and necessary changes.

Fundamentally I think the trailer idea is a good one. The closer you can get it to the boat the better...it seems like what ever the seemingly small project I undertake....I end up with nearly every tool out before I'm done.

You may find that a couple wheeled tool "totes" may be more practical if you end up needing to pull all tools on board....If the boats small the trailer may be usefull for storing materials and fitting/fixtures in....Working over that sort gets real old real fast.

[Boulter]

Originally Posted by James S

You may find that a couple wheeled tool "totes" may be more practical if you end up needing to pull all tools on board....If the boats small the trailer may be usefull for storing materials and fitting/fixtures in....Working over that sort gets real old real fast.

Thanks guys.

That might be the most of it - a dry place to toss out cushions and bits while I am digging myself to some obscure part of the boat.

I do like the tool tote idea. I have been thinking of making a bunch of uniformly sized tool boxes. One for plumbing, electrical, fibreglass general repair, and whatever other categories I can think of. This would be useful at the house too as the shop is about 60 metres from the house and I am forever walking back and forth.

Boulter