Northwoods were designed to be entry-level package boats and as with most of these package deals, the trailer is where they skimped.
A new trailer would be the gold plated solution, but here’s the problem that I see. You’re going to put $500-$700 into a trailer depending on condition if you count what you have to do to it after you buy it to make it road worthy and set it up for your boat. A used trailer is likely to need any or all of these: tires, lights, wiring, spare bracket/tire, winch, misc rollers replaced, bearings, etc, etc, etc.
Yes, you could get lucky and get one cheaper, but follow with me here. You’re basically going to be putting into just the trailer about 25-30% of what the entire rig is worth.
So if you’re planning to keep this rig for a long time, that’s one thing. But if you’ve had thoughts of upgrading within the next few years, a new trailer is an expensive short-term fix.
Have you thought about adding roller bunks like these to solve the launch/recovery problem?
http://www.easternmarine.com/5ft-poly-roller-bunk-assembly-1-pair-86145
If you get the broken piece welded and reinforced by a buddy, you’re back on the road for less than $200.
The trailer on my last fishing boat had tens of thousands of miles and dozens of trips to Canada on it. I noticed early on that some cracks were forming just where the bed starts to turn the corner to form the Y and I had it reinforced on both sides. That solved the problem for 10 years until I sold it. So if the welder knows what he’s doing and can spot stress points and reinforce it, fixes are possible.
Grouse
