Same here. I would have a bunch of those "damnit!" moments that way.

I cut an "idiot door" on the back panel for just that reason

If you have two boats it will not be possible to get into the box, the box will be completely filled with sails etc anyway.
With just one boat access is easy as the box can be pushed open when the boat sits on top of it

Like I said, you've probably gotten used to packing up the box before putting the boat on, and it's no problem. I can see myself forgetting to put a board or rudder crossbar in and not noticing until it's too late.

Mike

Or, getting home and reviewing your boat to-do list and realizing spacers for the trapeze shackle and repair the chips on the foils are on the list. Or maybe you decided you want to try your 10:1 F18 mainsheet system on the trimaran you are getting ready to sail and all that stuff is trapped under two boats....Or...I need a ring ding and a shackle for my J22 and my sparts (spare parts...must be said with thick southern drawl) box is in there too!

The real question is what is the advantage of having the hull crossbars supported by the trailer box? I don't see any. The box needs to be stronger (read, heavier) to support a double stack of boats. The boats are higher up off the ground meaning more lifting to get them up on the trailer. And then there are all of the box access issues previously mentioned. The design doesn't make much sense to me.

sm

The higher the boat is the less likely it is to get hit by anything the vehicle kicks up though.

I suppose. I've personally been trailering cats for about two decades and never had any significant issues with stuff getting kicked up from the tow vehicle. If it's a concern, get a set of mud flaps, and if it's a major concern, get some hull covers. Both of those options still seem a lot more convenient than having to lift the boat up an extra foot to foot and a half each time and not being able to get into your trailer box. Heck, if you want the boat higher off the ground, weld up some extensions to raise the trailer crossbars up an extra foot. Incorporating the crossbars into the box just makes no sense to me - I don't see any real compelling reason to build a trailer that way.

sm

I'm just trying to point out an upside. I'd do enclosed for everything if I could afford another $20k boat expense, but I'm pickier than most.

Probably not what you're looking for but I love this guy's work.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sta...mp;ved=0CFYQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=632

F that. Cool, but F that.
I kicked around building a slip in camper for my pickup out of wood then glassing it. Way too much screwing around.

hehe...he made a pun.