boat highth from center rollers and bunks

[jimmy wise]

ok putting a 16 ft larson on a bunk trailer. i think its way to high it sits 4 inches off keel roller and outer bunks are holding back off in center. how do i need to set it up

 

[smokeonthewater]

4" off keel rollers isn't uncommon though I prefer to have them help support....

"holding back off in center" doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[bonz_d]

I think you need to send a visual aid so we can understand what you are describing.

 

[gm280]

Usually what you want to do is have the hull sitting on the bunks and the rollers just barely touching the center of the hull. You don't want them to push up on the hull because it could make a set (concaved area) into the boat. So lower the bunks as low as you can all around and adjust the roller(s) up 'til they just touch the boat. That is the best possible setup. The lower the boat sits on the trailer, then better. It makes the CG as low as you can get and helps with stability while trailering. The bunks do the support, not the rollers. Rollers are for helping with launching and retrieving the boat... JMHO!

 

[JimS123]

Get the boat off the trailer.
Drop the bunks as low as they will go.
Line up all of the keel rollers in a straight line to ensure the keel is supported evenly (use a string and an eyeball).
Put the boat back on the trailer.
Pull the boat forward as far as it takes for the last roller to just support the transom.
Move the winch stand and adjust the cable (or strap)so it pulls slightly up, with the bow stop just above the cable.
Level the boat side to side and then move the bunks up so they just touch the hull and then another 1/4"
Check the tongue weight and move the axle if necessary to get +- 7% of the total weight.

(The above is a reprint from the Trailer Boater's Handbook, circa 1965)

 

[bonz_d]

circa 1965, that certainly was a long time ago. I was 11 then. Another from back then was "The Power Boaters Handbook".

As you should know through discussions here over the years that I am old school too and agree with that procedure. It has always worked for me.

Things certainly have changed since then. Trailers have changed. Back then there were no bunk trailers accept for the big inboard boats and even those weren't on bunks they sat on flatbeds with cradles. Also people didn't trailer boats around like they do today. It wasn't until the mid to late 60's that I 1st remember starting to see all roller trailers appear under boats and those were usually under the new bigger I/O fiberglass boats. Then in the 1980's came along the BASS boats and bunk trailers and drive on trailering.

Anyways, that's the evolution of Pleasure boats and trailers as I recall it from experience, that would be over 50+ years.

 

[JimS123]

The Johnson 5 HP TD-20 sold between 1946-48 was an all time high volume seller. Our Dads and Grandpas came back from the war and were anxious to go fishing in one of the many rental boats in the local liveries. Prior to that you had to be rich to own a boat and most were wood and thus docked for the whole Summer. No need to trailer.

By the late 1950's the greatest generation tired of the rentals and started buying trailerable boats they could keep at home. I always consider the 1960's to be the golden age of the trailer boat.

My first trailer was a 1968 Holsclaw all roller. It had roller bunks, whereas the Teenees , Gators and such of the day had wooden bunks. The few local dealers that sold them touted them as simply the best. Of course, they were more expensive.

The late 1980's were the dark days of trailerboats. Now, with all the wives working too, and thus more disposable income, everybody and their brother wanted a boat. Lots of competition, low end starters and cheep trailers. The new owners had little experience, and thus were crazy on the water. Those are the rotten boats sitting in backyards today.

 

[bonz_d]

JimS, I'm on my 3rd Gator right now. Actually have 2 in the driveway. One is being rehabbed for a 14' tinny and the other is under the Sea Nymph which I'll be keeping for a while. Have also owned a TeeNee in the past but no Holesclaw. As I recall Holesclaw and Caukins were the 1st big all roller trailer.

Think about this, the 2 gators I have right now are both over 40+ years old and still solid.

 

[JimS123]

As far as I know, Holsclaw never made anything but all rollers. I bought mine from the factory as a kit. The only assembled parts were the hubs mounted to the spindles. It also came with instructions how to adjust it to the boat. The boat on it floated in 6" of water. I could launch it in 8" of water. I had that rig 4 years before it was destroyed in a car accident and in that time the wheel bearings never once touched water. The instruction manual also told how to use it. I can't count the number of times people came up to me and told me I didn't back in far enough, and then walked away grumbling when the boat effortlessly glided in the water.

The Gator under my Sea Nymph is a 1964 (51 years old). Bought it in 1986 and it was "red". Solid rust and you couldn't even see a hint of yellow.

A light wire brushing, one coat of Rust Reformer, a coat of fish oil primer and tip and roll black Rustoleum and 29 years later (half of that time living in the backyard) the rust has yet to come through again. Of course, fresh water use.