Size Guide
The right trailer for dinghies, tinnies, jet skis, and small runabouts from 3 to 4.5 metres. Carpet pad or multi-roller, single axle, non-braked, and fully hot-dip galvanised.
What boats fit this range?
Small boat trailers cover the most popular segment of recreational boating in New Zealand. Whether you have an aluminium tinny for lake fishing, a fibreglass dinghy for harbour day trips, a jet ski, or a small runabout for inshore use, the right trailer makes launching, retrieving, and towing straightforward.
Boats in this range typically weigh between 200kg and 600kg (hull, motor, and basic gear), which means most combinations fall under the 750kg GVM threshold where brakes are not legally required in New Zealand. That keeps things simple: no brake servicing, no hydraulic lines, and a lower upfront cost.
Alpha Trailers offers both carpet pad and multi-roller options for small boats. Carpet pads suit flat-bottomed hulls, soft inflatables, and boats launched from deep ramps where the hull slides off easily. Multi-rollers suit aluminium tinnies, V-hull boats, and anyone who launches at shallow or tidal ramps where you need the boat to roll on and off.
Small Boat Trailers
All models are single axle, fully hot-dip galvanised, and include LED submersible lights, bearing buddies, Trojan winch, and Knott jockey wheel as standard.
10–12ft (3.0–3.7m) boats
Single axle boat trailer to suit boats around 10 to 12 foot (3.0 to 3.7m). Also suitable for jet skis. Standard 1.8m pads with synthetic lawn covering — pads can be made to customer requirements.
From$2,385incl. GST
11–13ft (3.4–4.0m) boats
Single axle boat trailer to suit boats around 11 to 13 foot (3.4 to 4.0m). Standard 1.8m pads with synthetic lawn covering — pads can be made to customer requirements.
From$2,535incl. GST
12–14ft (3.7–4.3m) boats
Single axle boat trailer to suit boats around 12 to 14 foot (3.7 to 4.3m). Standard 1.8m pads with synthetic lawn covering — pads can be made to customer requirements.
From$3,130incl. GST
10–12ft (3.0–3.7m) boats
Single axle boat trailer with 12 multi-roller system to suit boats around 10 to 12 foot (3.0 to 3.7m). Also suitable for jet skis. Designed for easy launch and retrieval.
Price on enquiry
11–13ft (3.4–4.0m) boats
Single axle boat trailer with 12 multi-roller system to suit boats around 11 to 13 foot (3.4 to 4.0m). Designed for easy launch and retrieval.
From$2,695incl. GST
Choosing the right trailer
Carpet pad trailers use synthetic lawn-covered bunks that cradle the hull. They provide good support for fibreglass boats, wooden hulls, soft-bottomed inflatables, and any boat launched from a deep ramp where you can float the boat on and off. Pads are the most affordable option and suit lighter boats well.
Multi-roller trailers use a series of keel and side rollers that let the boat roll on and off under its own weight. This is a significant advantage at shallow ramps, tidal boat ramps, and for solo launching. If you regularly launch without a helper or use ramps where the water does not come far up the trailer, rollers will make your life much easier.
Aluminium tinnies and V-hull boats generally do better on roller trailers because the keel sits on the centre rollers and the boat self-centres as you winch it on. Flat-bottomed boats, pontoon dinghies, and soft inflatables sit more naturally on carpet pads because the weight is spread across the full bunk.
New Zealand law requires trailer brakes when the gross vehicle mass (trailer + boat + gear) exceeds 750kg. Most small boats under 14ft with a standard outboard will sit comfortably under this limit. If you are close to the threshold, weigh your boat fully loaded (including fuel, tackle, and safety gear) to be sure. Alpha Trailers can advise on whether you need a braked setup.
Even if you only launch a few times per season, salt water and coastal air accelerate corrosion on painted or zinc-sprayed frames. Every Alpha trailer is fully hot-dip galvanised, meaning the entire frame is dipped in molten zinc for inside-and-out protection. This is not a cosmetic coating: it is a structural investment that keeps your trailer safe and roadworthy for years.
Browse by boat size
Alpha Trailers builds trailers for boats from 10ft right up to 23ft+. Browse the right size range for your boat.
Tell us your boat — make, length, hull type, and where you launch — and we'll recommend the right trailer and price.
