Car Guy, With a beach cat you don't have to float the boat on and off the trailer. I only back in till the water is just below the axle. Then just push the boat off. To reload I pick up the bows and place them in the rear cradles and use the trailer winch to slide the boat back on the trailer. This keeps the axle bearings and the sail box dry. I have not had a wheel bearing problem since adopting this method more than 12 years ago.
My cat box is built with a hinged door located in front of the main beam when the boat is on the trailer. It is built to be rain proof but not air tight.
Edited by skarr1 on Apr 08, 2011 - 11:04 AM.