New Owner Question

[Gary Fish]

Hello there...new owner here!



Just bought a Nitro 640! Can't wait to take delivery!!!



I plan to store our new boat at our local airport in the back of my hangar (yes, my other toy has wings). The width of the hangar is 21'. The boat & trailer is approximately 20'. I doubt that it will fit without some modification to the trailer. My local dealer has offered to put me in touch with a machine shop that they have used to convert standard trailers to breakaway tongue trailers. They supposedly do a near perfect job that looks factory built (for around $300). The other option is to install jacks with swivel wheels behind the main wheels of the trailer. I believe this would give me the mobility that I need. Any thoughts?



Look forward to hearing from you.



gfish

 

[TOMMY RICH]

All new Trailstar's have the "break away tongue" so it shouldn't be an issue.

Wecome...I'm sure the rest of the gang will chime

 

[Tony Payne]

so, exactly what kind of hitch do you have on your plane? Think it will handle the ramps?



Welcome aboard!

 

[Dan Nevill]

gfish,



I also have a 640LX and had to fit it in a tight garage. My garage is 20' long so I had to modify the trailer. The local boat shop said I could cut some from the trailer. So based on that I cut off 6" from the trailer and with the motor down I clear the garage door by 2". I have noticed no issue in the towing either. It is also a light boat railer and easy to push around. I put it in the guarge buy my self with no issues. I just got the boat two months ago and love it. Hooked up on Nitros buy a buddy who has a 700LX (Trepper) nice boat too. Mine is a 1998 year boat in great shape with the 90HP merc on it. Just what I was looking for. welcume to the group and any questions just ask. You can see it in my pic's. I also like the 640LX due to the small tow car that I have. I am towing it with a Mazda Tribute but have no issue with it. Just perfect.



Dan

 

[TrepMan]

Tee - Just checked my brochures, the 2006 640 does state "swing away tongue"...BUT my 2005 catalog even on the 700/640 which is galvashield trailer does NOT say "swing away tongue" but all the other boat models do.



Gfish - Call your dealer and ask him what year the boat is (if you are buying it new) and confirm that the trailer does or does not have the swing tongue.



Welcome aboard!

 

[Gary Fish]

Thanks to everyone for your great responses.



Trep Man...after reading your post, I contacted the dealer. He said that it's a misprint in their brochure. He's received two 640s in the last month and neither had the swing away tongue. Very observant on your part...you should be a proof reader.



Dan...good idea on shortening the tongue. Seems like a simpler solution than installing a breakaway tongue provided that there is enough turning radius. Maybe an extra long trailer hitch would offset a shortened trailer??? Lots of options to explore!



Sim...my Piper Cherokee only weights 1280 pounds. Something tells me that a trailer hitch may upset my weight and balance figures!!!



Again, thanks all for your insight! Hope I can return the favor once I get a bit more experience in boat ownership.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

There are also kits you can buy to convert your tounge to a swing away.



TOXIC

 

[Dan Nevill]

Gfishfish



Take a look in my folder and you will see you can fit a boat in a tight space. When you get your boat post photos. Have fun.



Dan

 

[Gary Fish]

Dan...that's a tight squeeze! Looks like you built the shelves around the motor. My boat will be fitting side to side in the hangar. Not sure how tight of turning radius I can make. We'll find out next week!



Toxic...do you know where those "kits" are available? My dealer (who has been extremely helpful) has suggested that we order a pin from Nitro and leave the rest to the machine shop. Still not sure whether all of this will be necessary.



Thanks again for all the great replies.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

You might still have to take it to a shop but here is one company. I would also call your trailer manufacturer. It is always best to stay OEM if you can.



TOXIC
http://www.pivithitch.com/home.html