I hardly ever use the big boat for retrieving, even when on the bigger lakes, because it needs a boat ramp to launch it. I have had the Sears boat & the Home Depot trailer for more than 20 years. Everything has been modified including the transom, custom made oar locks & the oars. The oars have a 1" diameter carbon fiber rod inside & a galvanized pipe on the outside where the custom machined aluminum oar locks are mounted. Even the bushings for the oar locks have been replaced with machined nylon pieces. I keep the boat & trailer at home, ready for use.

Cheers

Jim Allen