Gday Vicster,
Ezytrails have override couplings, so as long as the brakes are adjusted properly and the override cable is properly tensioned you can get some use out of the brakes without a controller for the drive home.
But, and a big but, take it for a spin when you pick it up and if your not happy with how the override brake is working, take it back to the factory and get them to adjust them.
My Ezytrail was trucked to Adelaide and the brakes were so badly adjusted they were non functional.
As for a brake controller, I have a Prodigy P3, but this is personnel preference really. The redarcs are getting favourable reviews now, particularly the one with the remote.
Sorry, can't help you with the boat rack, I don't have one on my Ezytrail.
Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your new rig.
Cheers Marschy