Trailer Help

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   I have a 79 nautique with the original Correct Craft trailer.

The trailer is rusting pretty bad where the bunks attach to the steel channel. The rest of the trailer is in pretty good shape. It looks like I waited a little too long to get the trailer sandblasted and painted and it appears that I may need to either add some metal somehow to the top of the channel or replace the channel.  I took it to a local fab shop and they told me it would be pretty expensive to replace the channel since it is "Rolled" (i.e bent in an arc configuration).  They also said they may could just weld some more metal to it but it would probably rust again in a couple of years since they would have to overlap the metal to weld to it.  

  I was wondering if anyone else has ran into this problem and can offer some advice.  My options are, as I see it, is I can either try to fix the original trailer or look at purchasing a new trailer.  I would like to keep the original CC trailer but if it cost too much to fix it, I guess it would make more since to get a new trailer.    

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jbryant79 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: May-30-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote jbryant79 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Trailer Help Posted: March-28-2006 at 3:10pm
	I have a 79 nautique with the original Correct Craft trailer. The trailer is rusting pretty bad where the bunks attach to the steel channel. The rest of the trailer is in pretty good shape. It looks like I waited a little too long to get the trailer sandblasted and painted and it appears that I may need to either add some metal somehow to the top of the channel or replace the channel. I took it to a local fab shop and they told me it would be pretty expensive to replace the channel since it is "Rolled" (i.e bent in an arc configuration). They also said they may could just weld some more metal to it but it would probably rust again in a couple of years since they would have to overlap the metal to weld to it. I was wondering if anyone else has ran into this problem and can offer some advice. My options are, as I see it, is I can either try to fix the original trailer or look at purchasing a new trailer. I would like to keep the original CC trailer but if it cost too much to fix it, I guess it would make more since to get a new trailer.
	1979 Ski Nautique

Nautique2001 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-14-2004 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 2832	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nautique2001 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-28-2006 at 3:45pm
	I don't blame you for wanting to keep your trailer original. Correct Craft trailers are one of a kind and complements the boat. Did you get any other estimates for repair? Sometimes there will be used CC trailers for sale on ebay or other boating sites. Google 'Correct Craft Trailer' and see what comes up. Worse come to worse, find a trailer company that supplies ski boat trailers. Eagle makes a decent trailer. Good luck!
	Nautique 2001

jbryant79 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: May-30-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote jbryant79 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-28-2006 at 6:15pm
	Thanks Nautique2001 for the information. I did not get any other estimates. I took the trailer to the sandblaster and he told me that he did not think I would have enough metal left after he blasts it so he suggested I take it to the fab shop. The fab shop told me that with their labor rates, it would cost quite a bit for them to cut the old channel off, bend new channel to match the existing ones and weld it back on. They said considering the time it would take, I would probably be better off buying a new trailer. I don't know, I plan to check with some other shops before I give up. I really would like to keep the original trailer if possible.
	1979 Ski Nautique

JEFF KOSTIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: April-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote JEFF KOSTIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-28-2006 at 7:07pm
	I agree on keeping the original trailer if possible. Is it rusted through, or just pitted really bad to the point of almost being through?? The reason for asking is usually the bunk bolts (1/4" carrige bolts) rust out, the the bunk wood falls off before the trailer is junk (unless in salt). I have not seen many that were not repairable, most have some serious pits that can be mig welded up and ground flat. Using a piece of thick metal as a heatsink or a copper flatbar for extreme cases on the underside where welding keeps the thin spots from burning through or sagging. It is a bit of work, not very difficult though. GOOD LUCK!! Jeff..
	MUSTANG COUNTRY 1974 Mustang 17 1976 Mustang 17

p/allen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: March-14-2006 Location: Dixon Illinois Status: Offline Points: 942	Post Options Post Reply Quote p/allen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-28-2006 at 8:56pm
	i agree with Jeff . I build low boy trailers and do a lot of mig welding . It is very possible to weld it back in using a copper bar for backing up your weld , then grind it off and buff with a blending disc. I would suggest to take it to another welding shop and get a second or maybe third opinion .I dont know what another trailer costs but without looking at it I dont know why you couldnt get it done for less than maybe 300$
	Pat My 72 Skier Rock River Dixon,ILL.

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