: If shipping costs work out right then Northern Tools (www.northerntool.com)
: may have a better deal.

: You'll want the 4x8 model which folds up, which is $180.
: That URL is:
: http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=465468&prmenbr=6970

: I do not have this model, but I have a similar one that I bought at the local
: Menards hardware store.

: The tongue on that trailer releases, allowing the trailer bed to tip, whci
: cna be handy in some cases. Judging from the picture that tongue is about
: 4 to 5 feet long.

: The only alteraton you would need to make is that you would want to replace
: that part with an 8 foot long (or slightly longer) piece so your boat can
: be better balanced on the trailer.

: You have a 14 foot boat going on an eight foot trailer, so mathematically it
: will average 3 feet overhanging on each end. With no alterations you can
: just slide the boat forward, and the bow should be just a bit behind the
: trailer coupler. However, you want about 10 percent of the total weight to
: be on the trailer hitch, so that means you have to hike the boat a bit
: further forward. With the center of gravity being a bit behind the
: midpoint in length, you would probably want to put the boat on your
: trailer with it overhanging the back by 18 inches to 2 feet, and extending
: forward of the trailer bed by 3 to 3 1/2 feet. For that you'll want the
: longer tongue.

: A rack make of plywood and 2x10s, covered with some carpet scraps, should
: serve to support the hull adequately and securely. You can bolt this right
: to the frame using holes that are already drilled in the frame.

: The trailer is great for hauling several boats at one time. Since the boats
: travel upright you can store your gear inside them. Put small items in a
: wooden box or cover the boat with a tarp to keep things from blowing out.
: Oars can get a special "rack" or mounting on the trailer frame,
: or you can just shove them inside the boat. The inside of the boat is also
: a good place to put your cooler, thus freeing up trunk space.

: Small trailers like this typically "use" a 1 to 4 miles-per-gallon
: premium. That means that if your car normally gets 28 mpg, then with a
: trailer you'll probably get about 24 to 27 mpg.

: You can usually carry several boats at one time on a trailer, which means
: that shuttles can be easier, too. Pile two or three boats on the trailer
: and load the car with 4 to 6 boaters.

: Trailers are of great use for other reasons, too: hauling lumber and plywood
: from the store, firewood, gardening materials (like dirt and gravel),
: garage sale items, furniture, moving kids to school, or from one apartment
: to another, etc.

: I happen to enjoy my trailer. At the moment I have a 10' x 8' part for a
: skateboard half-pipe on it, and my son is delighted.

: Hope this helps.

: PGJ