new PA 14 owner

noob here and hi to all. my 2106 PA 14 is getting set up and is equipped with Lowrance Hook 5 and some other geegaws. The only hard issue I am having is deciding on a proper trailer...virtually all have pros and cons with none really sticking out as the favorite choice. Any suggestions? Thanks, D

It sounds like you have done some research on trailers. It boils down to what works for you and how you want to use the trailer. I opted for an aluminum dual jet ski trailer so I would have the weight capacity, no rust and larger tires for highway speeds. Garage space or storage area was not the issue. I store the PAs on the trailer.

I like the Aluma PW2 trailer. You can probably find one around $1,500 or less at a trailer dealer that sells the brand. A lot of folks have modified Harbor Freight trailers or purchased used jet ski trailers. Aluma does make a single jet ski version as well. It would definitely be cheaper than the dual model. 5 year warranty. Had mine 2 years now with zero issues. Easy to mount PVC bunks as well.



Here's one in Goldsboro, NC with an asking price under $1,200.
http://performanceeast.com/Trailers-ALU ... 2600f3eb1d

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Thanks for info! I forgot to add that my general mechanical/fabricating capability rivals a five year old. I like the idea of a jet ski trailer modified for one or two PA's but feel it may be a bridge too far...and I have read a great deal about how to modify a lot of them on this forum and elsewhere. I missed out on a nice Yakima set up for two today and have been looking at a Magneta but it just has a couple T posts and looks kind of flimsy. I need to store the PA on the trailer also so it needs to be set up right from the get go...will be in salt water too which may drive another material solution. Life choices are usually not too hard in San Diego...but this one is kicking my butt. R/D

Thanks I checked out the aluma website. Your set up looks great. How much modification did you have to do to fit kayaks vice jet skis?

Had my PA14 about a month now. Went with a Malone Microsport trailer because minimum width was a priority for me due to garage space.


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Wow, really wish I had money left over for a Malone or MicroSport. But I left all the money in the boat...and stuck with my Harbor Freight. Built it about a year ago, 9k miles without issue, most of it highway. Not bad for $189.00.

_________________
STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

This is what we use . A Continental brand that will hold 15ft yaks of any brand . Cost us $1049 plus tax in Florida and it's all aluminum .

Here are some shots of when I modified the trailer for the PVC. I just unbolted the factory bed rails from the mounting plates on the adjustable cradles. I then tightened down the mounting plates horizontally and measured for the wood pieces I used. I held the wood in place to mark the holes for drilling. After drilling out all the wood pieces, I sprayed the wood with a waterproof sealant. The wood was secured with stainless bolts, washers and nuts.

I then placed 2 PVC pipes on the boards followed by putting one of the PAs on the PVC. Since the PVC stays in the scupper groves, it was easy to line up the PVC where I wanted it. I then drilled through the wood into the PVC while the PA and everything was in place. So after I got all the bottom holes drilled, I then made a larger hole on the top so I could get a long socket down in the PVC to tighten all the hardware.

It wasn't hard to do. I had used these PVC pipes on previous storage cradles in the garage before I got the trailer, so no need to buy new PVC. I hope this helps.

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Be very careful with ratchet straps. They can get way too tight too easily. They are pulling directly down on the unsupported rails of the boats here.

_________________
Brendan Castile

I went with an ez-loader trailer and added cradles (you can see the cradles at Austin kayak, white plastic, grey rubber padding)

Steve,
I think I actually understand what you did there and think I might be able to pull that off....but why not leave the ski supports that are angled and just add a pvc pipe down the middle for added support. Or are the ski support bars too far apart for the kayak? R/Dan

I had been using the PVC to store both PAs on before I purchased the trailer. To me the rounded PVC seemed like a better choice than the jet ski bed rails that came on the trailer. And since I already had the PVC cut to the right lengths, I decided to go that way. I have only backed the trailer completely in the water once. Almost all the time I back the trailer down to the edge of the water (boat ramp or shore) and slide the PAs off the back. Works great for me especially if I have fishing partners to help load and unload. If I'm fishing somewhere that I cannot back the trailer near the water, I just pull the PA back a little and insert the Hobie cart. Then pull it back and let the cart wheels hit the ground...walk up front and grab the handle. Very easy this way since the PAs are not high off the ground when loaded on the trailer. They are lower than being in the pickup bed. Yes I know I have to use the cart at the water's edge, but there have been launch points/activities where this was necessary.

If I'm only using one PA and have a long bumpy dirt road to negotiate to get to the launch point (usually salt water trips), I carry one PA in the pickup bed and use a bed extender.

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I have PVC bunk boards attached to UniStrut on my trailer, and I keep reading posts from Hobie saying that PVC bunks are not a suggested or supported method of transporting or storing the PA. My trailer bed is only 48" long so i do not have a way to easily attach the Hobie cradles the recommended 67" apart. So, to make up for the lack of side support, I just ordered a set of Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 saddles, with a Unistrut adapter kit. I figure that i can attach these to the unistrut, in addition to the PVC bunks, and they will help support the sides of the PA, with the PVC supporting the middle. Will post a picture when they show up and I have them installed.

Rhino-Rack Nautic 580 kayak cradles...
http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/water/kayak-carriers/nautic-580-kayak-carrier-side-loading_580

Kit to make these compatible with standard UniStrut (1 5/8')...
http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/water/kayak-carriers/nautic-580-kayak-carrier-side-loading_580

_________________
STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937