I told myself that I couldn't upgrade the boat until the trailer was finished. So, over the holiday I finally got around to modifying the trailer. Thanks to all the ideas here I ended up with a "blended" solution that I think will work well with the older EZLoader and Nacra 5.2.

I removed all the old trailer hardware and sanded the three layers of spray can black paint off the frame to get it ready for Eastwoods Rust Encapsulator (silver/grey). I have used this before to restore cars and it works well and can be used with a rust converter. It can be thinned and applies great with a small sprayer.

Next I relocated the cross bars below the main rails. With 3x4 main rails this brought the boat down considerably. I removed the rear rollers and cheesy front cradles and welded on a set of angle braces to carry a pair of carpered 2x6x8 bunks.

I really liked Ricks idea to make a true flat bed out of the trailer to extend the trailer's utility, but the older EZLoader main frame rails are so narrow, and the axle truck (undercarriage) is just angle aluminum, I couldn't really see myself pulling up to Home Depot and driving off with a forklift of supplies.

Next I welded up some supports for a solid deck. I choose 2x6 white PCV decking and bolted them inside the EZLoader frame rails. It is strong enough to stand on, didn't add any significant weight, much lighter and less expensive than the Trex or any of the composite decking and like the composite material it can get wet.

The trailer received a fresh coat of paint, new bearings, tires, wiring (6 pole), manual winch and here is the big suprise - a wireless remote control winch.

Having too much time, I decided to tackle a new approach to stepping the mast. It has been about 10 years since my wife and I last sailed together. She reminded me when I bought this boat that for her, raising and lowering the mast was the worst part of sailing... There are a few other issues, but I'll save that for another forum:)

So, I mounted a wireless remote control ATV sytle winch on the trailer tounge, at the location where the mast support is mounted (mast support on this trailer is on the front, approx three feet behind the receiver). I used a 1 1/4" schedule 40 6160 aluminum pole approx 7 ft long as the lever. Two straps are positioned from the top of the pole to the outsides of the front cross beam to center the pole while the mast is raising and lowering. The foot of the pole is mounted into a large rubber trailer cradle that it bungied to the foot of the mast. The winch cable is hooked to the forward stay, and with the remote up it goes... and with the remote...down it comes.

The winch is wired through a 6 pole trailer plug to a removable key hard cut off on the trailer mast support. This is to prevent the winch from being activated accidently. I have also been moving it around the yard with a small Kubota tractor. The tiny battery from the Kubota is plenty to raise and lower the mast several times. The whole thing cost a little over $100.

It has been raining lately, and given our holiday commitments, I was stealing odd times to complete this project, as a result I am photo poor. I do plan on taking pictures this weekend and a short digital movie of the intense action: up...down....up....

Thank you for all for your ideas! It really inspired me. And now that the trailer is done, maybe I can focus on the boat.

Dean