Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

[driz]

I have an EZ load Escort 1990 trailer with the Bayliner 2252 Capri that I am pretty sure came on it originally. It works fine as long as water levels are high enough but when it gets lower the problem begins. When it comes in the bow is slightly below the bow stop so i have to lift it up enough to clear the stop. On the trailer the stop is located on the top of the mounting bracket. I have raised the center roller as high as it goes to no effect. I will try to post a few pics to illustrate what I have here. I wouldn't mind it so much if it didn't try to **** to the side most of the time like in the pic. It seems to have to do with the angle of the ramp. I have all the goodies to fab and weld so what's the best mod to cure this thing? I have been putting up with this for 12 years now so it's time to make it go away.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

Do you mean the entire bow of the boat is below the stop or just the tow eye? That must be one steep ramp or I'm not understanding you well enough. Aside from being crooked, nothing looks terribly out of whack to me in your photos.

Can you compensate for low water by backing the trailer in a little farther? Also, maybe practice with angling the trailing slightly left or right as it goes into the water to see if you can compensate for the crooked load or uneven ramp.

Probably will need to go to the ramp sometime during off hours and just experiment for awhile.

Also, it looks to me like your tow strap is starting to fray. Maybe replace that when you get a chance.

Good luck!

 

[driz]

Re: Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

Actually the ramps aren't steep at all. One thing I just noticed yesterday is that my rearmost roller which you can't see easily got cocked to the side. Looks like the trailer was intended for a deeper boat and they just raised it wayyy up there so only the top 2 bolts are engaged. Works well enough now that I know about it. Gotta correct that as soon as I plunk it in the water again. I doubt that caused the issue completely but rather mad it easier to happen. I left it sitting in the water shallower last time and dragged it up from further out. Seemed to toss it on straight but will need to play with it some. That worn strap isn't really a strap but a 10,000lb tow strap I stuck on there so although a tad worn on the edges it isn't going anywhere soon.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

Do the chines on both sides sit right on the bunk board like in the picture? I have never seen a trailer set up to sit like that or is that how it is cocked to one side. One thought may be to get it on the trailer perfectly straight then weld on some guide ons in the rear of the trailer, either carpeted or with rollers. I had a Wellcraft that never would go on the trailer right the stern would always go to one side or the other, installed some guide ons and never had an issue loading.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

...... replace the center and aft-most rollers with the self-centering type and your problem will disappear regardless of water depth. As the keel passes the center of the trailer the hull will be aligned to accept the support of the bunks, at which time the rollers will clear the hull. Additionally, you won't have to back the trailer in so far.

 

[cribber]

Re: Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

And just to add make sure the strakes are above or below the bunks so the bunks are flush against the hull for the best support.

 

[driz]

Re: Boat sets crooked on Escort trailer when water is low

...... replace the center and aft-most rollers with the self-centering type and your problem will disappear regardless of water depth. As the keel passes the center of the trailer the hull will be aligned to accept the support of the bunks, at which time the rollers will clear the hull. Additionally, you won't have to back the trailer in so far.

Have to look into those rollers as mine are 20 years old and getting hard as rocks. Gotta wait a tad though as Mr Bayliner has bled me dry with it's 20 year overhaul since April. Complete interior and teardown of outdrive's transom assy and all new perishables back there have drained the wallet. Just gave the beast new shoes as well. Bias Carlisle's as they are the ones made in the USA. I doubt they will last as long as the old Good Year f78'S. 20 years though only on short 5 mile trips. They were getting cracks as big as a 4 year old Chinese tire but still held air pretty well. I will get a set of those in a month or so for sure as since the Lake Champlain is low now it is really gonna get ugly in a couple months