New Supra Mariah owner with a question

[dupersenior]

Hey everyone, I'm the proud new owner of a 1989 Supra Mariah. I'm in Maryland just outside DC, and I've been taking it skiing and wakeboarding on the Patuxent river. It's a great slalom boat and throws a good enough wake for a new boarder like me.

The boat is in great shape - interior was reupholstered recently, and it runs perfectly. The trailer, however, is a different story. It's rusted, beat up and generally on its last legs. Which leads me to my question - any idea where I could get a new trailer for this thing? Are there any adjustable trailers that will fit it? Anywhere I should look for a used factory trailer? I've looked at a few custom ones, but I'd rather not spend $5,000 if I can avoid it.

Thanks for the help!

[dupersenior]

So, quick update - I got a quote from Phoenix trailers (through Andy at Chessie Marine, in Elkton MD) for $3,600 for a custom tandem-axle steel trailer. That seems like a reasonable price - anywhere else I should look before I pull the trigger?

Thanks!

[haugy]

I had a Mastercraft trailer under my old Mariah. It was for a ProStar 190. It fit, barely, but fit. I never had any bearing issues or problems. I stripped it, painted it, and rebuilt the bunks to better fit it. Then cut and welded the bow riser to hold the bow better. Now when you look at it, you'd never guess it wasn't factory made for that boat. Even matches in color and decals. It was a single axle, but rode and towed fine. Was a helluva lot easier to move around in the shop too.

I'd look for used trailers, hell there is one in the classifieds section in here. If you want to drop $3,000+ for a trailer by all means, but I think you could save some coin by finding a used one, and retrofitting it for your boat.


Before

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/customcj7/Boat%20pics/Final1.jpg


After

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/customcj7/Boat%20pics/P1040878.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/customcj7/Boat%20pics/P1040883.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/customcj7/Boat%20pics/P1040882.jpg

[Salty87]

welcome to the site.

used trailers can be difficult to find. you have to get lucky on timing for the most part. sometimes you'll find one on the classified section here but they usually go quickly.

i got my boat w/o a trailer and ended up buying a new one. the price wasn't far off from what you've been quoted and this was more than 10 yrs ago. if you don't have the luxury of waiting to find a used one i think that's a pretty good deal.

[2500HD]

all of these are in your state and can be modified to fit your boat if you can weld. the last one has a boat on it and i threw it in there because you could potentialy throw it on your old trailer and resell it.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/3924963011.html
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/boa/3922397107.html
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/boa/3898177746.html
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/boa/3898172248.html
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/boa/3920496072.html