HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

[johnny striper]

Hello everybody,

I've been lurking here for a few years and was hoping to get some input. This is my first post.

I recently purchased a new 16 1/2 ft deep V aluminum boat with new factory matched trailer. The trailer has both bottom & side bunks. The problem is that the boat always loads to the port side and rests against the rear port side bunk leaving a 4" gap from the rear starboard side bunk (the boat is visually off center). Once off the ramp we push like h%%@ on the port side & can always get the boat "centered" which leaves about 2" of free space between the boat and both side bunks. We then rachet the bow TIGHT to the front roller and then ratchet down the rear tie downs....everything at this point is centered & tight. Within 2 minutes out of the marina (or wherever) the stern has slid / shifted back to the original "off center" position again resting entirely on the port side bunk leaving a 4" gap from the starboard side bunk. Errrrr...I've had the rig back to the dealer twice and they can't figger it out. I've talked with the Trailer Mfg who instructed me to perform a few key measurements. The only thing obvious is that the keel is about 1 3/4" left of center of the rear "keel" roller guide. What could cause the stern of the boat to constantly shift to the port side of the trailer??

Any & all replies are appreiated.

 

[kmarine]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

First the side bunks are there to guire you to the center, and are not for final allingment. I believe you are loading too deep in the water. Is your boat floating or are you on the bunks when loading. You should ont be floating on the last 2to 3 ft of travel from your winch tower. if you are floating, your boat will float to one side. The rear keel rollers should be a inch or two below the bunks and are there to handle the bow during launch amd retrival. I find it more common to find smaler trailers not set up properly than the large ones. the good news is that they are easily adjusted. Otherwise see if your chines are properly allinged with the bunks.if not you may need to widen or narrow the bunks to get between the chines. try the shallower launch first.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer



Obviously, if the boat is shifting while driving home, then it is not a loading problem. Is it bouncing? Are the rear tie-downs tight? Or if you have a strap that passes over the gunwales is it tight?

If so, then you need to get under the trailer and visually inspect the boat bottom and bunks while centered and off center. The bunks may be out of alignment with the hull bottom or in the wrong position to correctly hold and center the hull. Nothing short of some work and trial and error on your part will help. And, you may never get it right. A smaller keel roller with spacers on either side to keep the roller centered on the trailer may help to keep the keel centered.

If it makes you feel any better, My 20 foot cuddy ALWAYS loads off center to the left. You can see it hard against the port guide rollers in the photo. In fact, I added those guide rollers because the problem was much worse. I have tried every conceivable roller position and every way of retrieving from deep in the water to shallow . Nothing helps and quite frankly, I have given up. I know it is the hull and not the trailer because I previously had a different boat on it and it loaded straight every time with no fuss.

 

[colbyt]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

Nothing helps and quite frankly, I have given up. I know it is the hull and not the trailer because I previously had a different boat on it and it loaded straight every time with no fuss.

This type of thing always makes be curious; especially this since I have a very minor version of it going on myself.

Would you care to speculate as to the cause? Have you tried loading without the second motor? Do you think the boat is twisted just a bit?

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

You said its a "new" boat with "new" factory trailer. Why aren't you at the dealer getting things fixed?

 

[johnny striper]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

You said its a "new" boat with "new" factory trailer. Why aren't you at the dealer getting things fixed?

Yes, it is a brand new 2013 G3 164C with a 2013 Yamaha 70 hp 4 stroke and matching 2013 Bear trailer. I've had it to the dealer twice. They took some measurements and made some minor adjustments to the bottom bunks and still can't figure out what is causing the issue. I've talked with the Mfg and am waiting for a reply (been a week now)...of course the Mfg never heard of such an issue with one of their trailers. Errrr...It is rather frustrating. I've owned 3 other boats & never had a trailering issue with any of them.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

Deleted - missed the part where the boat is shifting on the road too

 

[johnny striper]

Re: HELP - Boat sits crooked on bunk trailer

Thanks everyone for the input...all good. Sounds like either the bottom bunks are mis-aligned or the trailer itself is not squared properly.

After a week of hearing nothing I finally received a call from the Trailer Mfg (Bear). I was loaded with a little more ammo today thanks to some informative replies from this forum. They were very cooperative said they do stand behind their products and that the dealer will handle the issue with either repair or replacement.....Life is once again good. Thanks to all.