Guide-ons

[DoctorCAD]

I am thinking of getting guide-ons. Pros and cons, please. Roller or bunk etc...<br /><br />I did a search and could not come up with any definitive answers.<br /><br />My boat is a 15' Starcraft, currently trailer has bunks and keel rollers. I have a somewhat difficult (but not horrible) time centering when loading. Also, with my tow vehicle (2001 Mazda Tribute V6 AWD) I cannot see the trailer at all unless I open the hatchback. Not a terrible thing, just annoying.

 

[JB]

Re: Guide-ons

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005270 <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Guide-ons

DoctorCAD<br />I see people with trouble centering boat all the time some with guide on also. Unless you have a flat bottom boat like a jon boat you do not need guide on's. Most if not all I see with trouble centering boat is because they back trailer in way to deep. They back in so deep stern of boat still floating with trailer cranked all the way up. Almost all trailer will self center any V or modified V hull boat, but for it to do it boat must touch the bunks or rollers. Only back in far enough so boat hits trailer bunks or rollers when 1/2 way on. Get it started half way straight hook up the wench and crank it on, boat will center every time. Once you have done it a few times you will learn exactly how deep to back in so will self center and not to hard to crank on. One more thing if on a uninproved ramp mud or sand get trailer in a spot where it is flat, both sides the same depth. <br /><br />If it is a totally flat bottom boat go ahead and get some guide on. I have seen these do a lot of damage to boats. If they rub on the side of boat they will rub all the paint off in that spot.

 

[horndog]

Re: Guide-ons

my trailer now has bunks and keel rollers. It sucks. keel rollers have too much maintenance. One of the pins that holds the roller on is bent, so its a pain to try to winch the boat up when the rollers are not rolling. Plus, the rollers do crack and fall to pieces after some time. <br /><br />I will be converting to all bunks just to save face and money in the long term

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Guide-ons

Go with the guide ons they help alot. While your at it put your lights on the top of them, kill two birds with one stone. JMHO

 

[suzuki40]

Re: Guide-ons

I just read this and ya'll are freaking me out a little. I just got a used trailer for my 12' jonboat a week ago, I got the bunks sitting right and the winch just right. I thought I was ready but, now Im worried im going to have trouble putting it back on the trailer? I will be pushing it off the trailer and guiding it back on with a rope. My motor only has forward gears.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Guide-ons

Suzuki<br />With a 12 foot jon boat if it is not centered just lift the back and center it.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Guide-ons

Horndog<br />You can get a new pin and even the cheap rollers should last 20 years. You may need to adjust rollers and bunks where fits the boat better. My roller trailer is 23 years old now and every roller still good. Bow stop does have some minor surface cracks and I hope it fails as would like to change from a 4 inch to a 6 inch anyway.

 

[suzuki40]

Re: Guide-ons

Hey boatist,<br />I guess it would matter how far I put the trailer in the water? Without guide-ons the windy days are just going to be a pain in the "6" I just dont want to look like an idiot at the ramp, with everyone waiting there turn.<br /><br />suzuki40

 

[Cobotr]

Re: Guide-ons

Assess your situation. If you boat the same lake all the time, use the same launch ramp, don't have to deal with wild currents, bad breezes, can power load, or don't have to load the boat by yourself, then a better procedure might be called for. It also can be related to what type or size boat you have also.<br /><br />We boat all over the place, so we run into strong side currents, as well as steep launch ramps, as well as windy conditions. We installed the guide-ons to assist in loading the boat as there may be any of the 4 of us loading the boat at any given time. Granted, most of the time they don't come into play, it's the exceptions that make it worth it.

 

[horndog]

Re: Guide-ons

boatist<br /><br />I decided to go all bunks and get rid of the keel rollers. Wow, does the boat slide on and off MUCH better!

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Guide-ons

I often splash at ramps in tidal areas. Sometimes the current is ripping when I want to put the boat back on the trailer. It's almost impossible to compensate for the current on a direct approach...you'd have to be going too fast. Instead, I point the bow into the current and come up to the trailer perpendicular to the bunks, just off the end of the trailer. When the bow is a foot or so past the trailer guide I kick the stern out and pivot the rub rail on the guide as I nudge her up between the bunks -- all slow and easy. I couldn't live without my trailer guides.<br /><br />As for centering, I agree with Boatist. When I load the boat back on the trailer, I like to have 1/3 of the bunk out of the water...but I'll totally submerge them first, to get them wet, then pull up until that 1/3 is showing. The perpendicular technique relies on those bunks to center the boat, and they've got to be up, out of the water to get the job done.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Guide-ons

Horndog<br />There is also some sprays can spray on bunks that even make it easier to slide on and off. Adjusting your trailer to fit the boat makes a big difference also. Many seem to like the guide on and that is good but I seen a lot of damage done ty them. One guy tried to drive boat on and missed and got on top of or one of his guide ons it put a big gouge in bottom of boat. What I have seen on many boats is where guide rubs the boat makea a big ulgy spot.<br /><br />Adjusting the trailer I feel very important. I adjust all my trailers to fit the boat first but also like to have where with the motor down still have ramp clearance for outdrive. Seen too many boats drag skeg up the ramp then relize problem so stop put car in park and get out boat rolls back a little and jams outdrive under boat. If they had adjusted trailer to raise boat another 6 inches they would have 4 inches of engine clearance. Some times all you need to do is turn receiver over lowering the front just a little but raiseing the stern. Also adjust bunks so bunks under stringers for better support.

 

[DoctorCAD]

Re: Guide-ons

Broke down and bought guide-on posts. Raised the lights also. I did not get out this weekend, but will give it a try this week, I hope.<br /><br />The lake I normally go to has 15 launches, each with different ramp conditions. My favorite fishing spot is at the worst ramp, of course. It is gravel and very steep, but only from the waterline in. The drive on part is concrete. To get the front of the trailer in the water, the back will be about 3' deep. Hence the need for guide-ons.