When my partner, Marti Wolfe, got a Drake 17, a 17′ 4″ double-ended rowing boat, she bought an aluminum SUT Trailex trailer, which is popular among small-boat owners. Trailex is one of the few companies that makes trailers specifically for light boats, including those for rowing and paddling.Most small-boat trailers, built for the ubiquitous outboard skiffs, have Y-shaped frames to accommodate the breadth of the transom, and stiffer suspensions to support the weight of the motor. Even the lighter of such trailers may have a 1,000-lb capacity. But Trailex’s SUT line of small-boat trailers are sprung for much lighter loads and thus give lightweight boats a softer ride. The SUT-220-SA, which Marti bought, is for boats up to 17′ and 220 lbs, and the larger SUT-350-S is for narrow boats up to 22′ and 350 lbs. These SUT trailers have a single central beam that extends between and beyond the wheels. While the small roller on its back end supports the stern of the boat, it makes a small target for the bow of a returning boat. And the beam itself is no place to stand for either launching or retrieving. The tail end of the trailer was little more than the slender aluminum beam, seen here in the center. Two 2×4s secured to it support the two 2×6s that provide a walkway to the end of the trailer. The roller, with end caps, offers a wide target for retrieving the bow without damaging it.
Photographs by the author
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Thanks, Ben!
I have a Drake 17 on a Trailex trailer too, and I like your walkway design. I have added walk-boards to other, heavier trailers, but hadn’t thought of adding them to the Trailex. Brilliant!
Rob Hazard
Great upgrade! We have added walkways to a few other trailers, and covered them with outdoor carpet to provide a little extra grip for shoes and boat protection.
Thanks for sharing the details!
Having worked with this for a bit now, I’d increase the width of the aftermost cross piece and use a bigger roller which would mean some holes drilled into the roller bracket. A bigger target for the bow.
For loading in a crosswind a bigger target helps for sure. On my similar SUT500-S I added a 3-roller bar made from a piece of aluminum square tube (the angled outer rollers push the hull onto center while loading). Trailex sells the T-bolts that fit the slots, useful for attaching modifications. I also added a step plate of aluminum with non skid, from there I can just walk on the bunks.
Photo while loading: https://flic.kr/p/PdMA6T
Brilliant! I was having issues with the bow of my CLC Northeaster Dory being gouged by the sharp edges of the rear factory-roller brackets: there was simply no way to keep the bow from bumping into them as I loaded the boat onto the trailer. The always-helpful folks at Trailex, seemingly aware of the problem, suggested coating the sharp edges (which I had already rounded with a file) with “Plastic Dip.” This has helped, but you seem to have, perhaps inadvertently, a much better solution: your rear 2×4 is snug up against and shields the boat from the brackets while the entire system radically reduces the chance of the bow colliding with the brackets. Looks like I have a new project!
I also have a Trailex trailer. What a great idea! It looks like I’ll have a new project added the my list! Thanks.
Fantastic work. Love seeing this!