Carver Owners Forum

Hello all! I just bought a 1978 Santa Cruz 28’……which was RE powered and repropped to a 454. Boat is super solid as a project base, and just what I was hunting for.

My dilemma is this: the trailer is pretty rusty. I suspect it may be salvageable…….but it’s a double axle and only rated for 7k lbs. it’s a 1994 Metalcraft. Im getting bids to upgrade axles and get it made safe.

While doing this, I discovered that one of my business contacts is an EZ Loader dealer…….so I might get a bit of a deal on a new galvanized triple.

Here’s my problem: I’ve never put my new boat on the old trailer, so I’ve no idea how it fits and what to look for in new, or modify in my old trailer!

So: 28SC owners…….what do you have for a trailer? Any wisdom to impart? Or: model numbers of your trailers so I can research them? Eagerly awaiting your guidance!

Welcome aboard. Hopefully someone with the same model will chime in and offer some help.

Thanks Viper! I’ve sent a couple DM’s to likely prospects…….I’m leaning hard to just sucking it up and buying a new trailer…….but I want to know which model works for people. EZ has a 10k galvanized model that looks like it would be nice.

That's a lotta boat to put on an old rusty trailer. I'd be inclined to sell the trailer for what I could get (whether I fix it up a bit before or not is just a $$ calc). If you can get a good deal on one of those trailers that would be awesome. Remember you've probably added a few lbs to the stock boat with that engine conversion too.

That thing must perform great with that engine!

Welcome aboard.
FWIW, I agree with km.

As an update: had “old rusty” beaten with a hammer and looked over……..my fab shop is saying I can spend $5k on the old girl.

So, digging deeper into what a new EZLoader is gonna be……..and having a custom manufacturer local to me see what they can do for one.

I trailer a LOT for work……..and boat trailers are like tires and brakes to me…….just not a smart place to mess around with dodgy stuff.

Which is why I bought the boat for the boat, and looked at the trailer as suspect. (Glad I did). My Fab guy stuck his hammer trough two places I’d never thought to look!

Your boat is beautiful, often wished I had bought that instead of the '77 25' SC.

BUT...it is 10' 4" beam, I believe that means a permit every time you trail. Would it be simpler to slip it in a marina and save the $10k?

Also, the tow vehicle would like need to be an F250 diesel size, for any over the road use. I had an f350 7.3 for my 25', huffed and puffed a bit going uphill.

We have 1975 28' Santa Cruz and trailer it. We bought the boat in Portland, Or and trailered it home to Boise, Id. Just hung oversize load signs on it and headed down the freeway. Pulled Cabbage Hill at about 45 mph with our '02 F250 SD 7.3L. Wasn't a problem. Jim

Welcome aboard!!!!!!