Alumacraft Backtroller 17

[Steve P]

Are there any Backtroller 17 ownwers out there that would like to share some info.I have had mine for exactly 12 years now and can't bring myself to part with it. I have made several interior modifications over the years and can not find another boat with as much storage and fishing versatility that mine now offers.
I'm considering a new trailer this year vs new tires and several new parts for the old one. I'de love some input from some Alumacraft veterans on trailers being used and love/hate experiences especially bunk vs roller isuues. Thanks, Steve

[Nick(Ia)]

I also love my old Dominator(60hp tiller powered). I've always used a bunk trailer and this is the easiest loading boat I could ask for. Even in current and wind it loads without hassle and I've never had any trailer related problems(except flat tires!). I like the support that the boat has with the bunks. I've seen too many mishaps with roller trailers and would not consider this approach unless faced with unusual launch/retrieval problems. Good luck and keep that Backtroller full of fish.

[Box]

I have 97 TP175, but I also just bought back our 82 Alumacraft Classic 16 from my uncle, who we sold it to in 87. We put new floor and totally remodelled a ton of stuff in it, and painted it brown camo for duck hunting. Fishing with that 50 hp merc is a blast! Trolls so nice!

Under that boat we have a shorlander trailer, half roller and half bunk. It works great and we drive right up to the stop. On our new boat we have shorlander roller trailer (does have little bunk-style supports up front) and it works great as well. We drive up to within 3-4 inches of the stop and just crank the final couple inches.

After having three Alumacrafts since 1982 (middle one was a Competitor CS with 90hp) all on roller trailers, we have never had a roller related problem. We have repplaced the center rollers, and we need to on the new one after 4 years.

Roller trailers are great - but some of them take a bit of trial and error at the beginning, untill you get the depth right. Usually people back in too far, and that is when they have probs, IMHO.

Good luck, and I'm happy to hear you like your boat that much! :)

Box
MN

[Steve P]

Box, My current trailer is set up with both rollers and bunks, the bunks center the boat when driving on and ultimately the rear of the boat rests on the rear rollers along with the keel rollers up front.
I'm happy to hear you say you use the Shorelander roller trailer and are able to drive it up close to the stop. Does the boat center itself well, especially in windy or current situations? Do you utilize any rear side guides?
Fianlly which Shorelander model do you use? Thanks

[mws]

I have a Backtroller but its not a 17 its about a 16 foot 8inch boat does that qualify? I have only had my boat for 1 year so my info may not be credible. I have rollers on my shorelander trailer and I put on some bunk guides. before the guides I had some trouble getting the boat centered on the trailer but the bunks work great.

[Box]

On the 16' we do not have any side guides. The key on this one is to back the trailer into the water enough to get the front bunks wet, then pull out a bit so the rear rollers are kind of floating. If you dont get the bunks wet, the boat kind of stops on them from friction. Other wise when we have waders on (duck hunting) we just splash the bunks wet... Not sure of that model but I think it was a 2000# trailer... it was overkill, but always worked (works) great.

On the big one with the TP175, it is all rollers and not sure of model, but it is a 3100# trailer (same as the 3000# but slightly bigger tires). The only prob we ever have with this one going on straight is if we back it into the water too far, then we can come up off to one side. We havent had that happen since the first few times we had it out.

We do have side guides on this one, but you really wouldnt need them. We only got them cause the dealer messed up (gave us the wrong motor when we picked it up... doh...) so he threw those on for us. They are nice if you dont drive the boat up. If you do drive it up they just dont matter a lick...

Good luck. Any other questions about our trailer or boats please feel free to email me! I love talking about boats! :)

Box
MN

[Moose]

I have a trophy 185 and like it ( just can't bring myself to say those four letter words). I understand when you have something that works great for you there isn't a need to change. With my Trophy 185 I have a Shorelander with rollers, no bunk additions. I was told by friends before buying the rig to get bunks the rollers would just frustrate me. Well, I let the salesman talk me into rollers. Said it would be easier unloading. The unlaoding may be true, but I've experienced some frustrating times trying to load. I think Shorelander is a great trailer but get the bunks.