Lakerider80, I know many on this site don’t have positive opinions toward Boatmate. I am the original owner of a 2006 216 on a 2006 Boatmate trailer that I bought new through MidWest CorrectCraft with the kind assistance of both Ken and Greg Meloon. Obviously I am dating myself but if the ever have the opportunity to meet one or both of those gentlemen you will truly be blessed. The trailer is tandem axle, 4 wheel disc brakes, swing away tongue, and oil bath hubs (I know...antiquated).  Except for needing to change a seal on one of the hubs when the trailer was new it has been flawless. I put the boat in Norris Lake, TN in the Spring and pull it out in the Fall. For many years I stored the trailer in my lake house garage but for the last 4-5 years to get more room for another car I have been towing it 250 miles for the Summer to Cincinnati to store the trailer in a metal pole barn with concrete floor that I own. I put new Goodyear made in the USA tires on it about 2 years ago just to be safe. Granted I am anal about my boat and trailer. My trailer has no rust and the paint (black with red pinstripes) is like new, I maintain the trailer myself so I know the brake fluid has been flushed regularly and properly  as well as the oil bath hubs. Just my 2 cents

Pretty much spot on regarding the price. And sadly no regarding the galvanizing 

Its a really nice looking trailer. I don't think mind dunking the trailer a little bit deeper if the design helps reduce the amount of rust. I can say the price I was quoted for the trailer was a bit surprising but if it lasts then it will be a good investment. I will definitely be keeping the trailer off of the road in the winter and it will never see any brackish water. 

Personally, I won't buy another steel painted trailer if I can avoid it. Admittedly, my boat trailer does see winter weather and brackish water every year. 

Are you talking something like Clearguard or Xpel?  I think it would be a good idea but that stuff isn't cheap. I have had 3 vehicles done. I had a rock hit my truck recently even saw it coming. It tore the Xpel but didn't even leave a mark in the paint. I would even look into getting the frame rails Ziebarted as well if you can find one nearby. I think that on a Phoenix's the boat sits up higher compared to a Ramlin because the bunks of a Ramlin sit right on the frame rails vs the Phoenix's that are raised. I can measure mine tomorrow if you want. The advantage of that is the bunks don't hold the water against the frame. 

Just got one of the boats out of storage Sunday. Boat sits on a 2013 Phoenix singe axle trailer and I was just telling my wife (not that she cares) how darn nice the trailer is.  This is my second Phoenix trailer and, from my experience, I would highly recommend.

When our 1997 Ramlin rusted away I replaced it with a used Owen's and Son's Aluminum Slide On that had carried a Supra TS6M. It was $1200 with the boat that I gave away. I replaced the winch and post with a Nautique-like bunk stop up front, put on 4 tires and replaced the brakes. It's a tandem axle and gets 3-4000 miles per year mostly back and forth to FL. Trailer placement and the right amount of dunking is considerably more critical with the Owen's over the Ramlin... The Ramlin could be cockeyed, too shallow or too deep and still be loaded pretty much successfully. The Owen's needs to be in the right place. It is a 1998 model and also floats which takes some getting used to... The first time I noticed it, I thought I was seeing things... But nope, it was going down river... This "feature" is easily handled by just dunking it in far enough to get the bunks wet then pulling it right back out to the correct depth...

I have a steel Eagle trailer that is definitely not meant for the boat. The previous owner cobbled together some bunks that have since scratch the gel coat and left a weird brown stain. He thought it was for a mastercraft but didn't really know. I just want to make sure that I am not causing any further damage to the hull and have a tailer that doesn't look like I built it myself blindfolded. 

Lakerider80 wrote: . It is just astounding to me that no trailer manufacturer has come out with a painted galvanized trailer (at least not one that I can find).

I’m not a huge fan of torsion axles. Ramlin hasn’t given the finger to Nautique owners..... they’ve given the finger but it’s not to us lol. Boatmate is a joke imo. At this point for a new trailer I’d look at Phoenix. Keep in mind the single 3500lb axle doesn’t cut it, some manufacturers try to say its fine.

I am looking to purchase a new trailer for a '91 Ski Nautique and in my search through the forums I haven't found a real consensus about which brand I should be pursuing. I am looking for a single axle trailer with torsion suspension and currently I am looking at boatmate, load rite and phoenix. I have seen concerns on the forum about the paint quality/longevity and customer service experience of boatmate trailers and don't want to spend my money on a trailer that is going to rust within 2 years. Rust concerns have pushed me towards getting an aluminum I-Beam trailer (like load rite or phoenix) but would love to hear anyone's input on what brand they have had successes and failures. Seemingly everyone loves Ramline but it appears they have given the finger to Nautique owners sadly. Overall I am not too worried about aesthetics (painted vs just plain aluminum). The trailer likely won't see more than 500 miles per year but likely will be stored outside all year. I am also looking to stay below $5,000, I don't need a bunch of bells and whistles, just a solid trailer that isn't going to require replacement within 5 years.