How tight to tighten the winch.

[geeco1]

When I trailer my boat, I have been manually guiding it on and using the winch to pull it up. At the point when the bow first hits the bow-stop roller, the bow eye is 6-8 inches below the bow-stop. I then proceed to tighten the winch which pulls the boat up the roller until the bow eye is tight underneath the bow-stop. By doing this, I am lifting the keel of the boat off of the first center roller underneat the boat.

Now for my question. Is this correct? Am I pulling too tight or should I lower the bow-stop so I don't have to pull so hard? There is quite a bit of tension on the winch strap before it snugs-up under the bow-stop. Plus I always have to splash some water on the bow-stop roller to lubricate it enough to allow the boat to slide up the roller.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: How tight to tighten the winch.

You don't say what size boat, but just as a guess: You should lift the forward keel roller to meet the keel.......or maybe lower the winch on the pedestal.

 

[JoLin]

Re: How tight to tighten the winch.

When I trailer my boat, I have been manually guiding it on and using the winch to pull it up. At the point when the bow first hits the bow-stop roller, the bow eye is 6-8 inches below the bow-stop. I then proceed to tighten the winch which pulls the boat up the roller until the bow eye is tight underneath the bow-stop. By doing this, I am lifting the keel of the boat off of the first center roller underneat the boat.

Now for my question. Is this correct? Am I pulling too tight or should I lower the bow-stop so I don't have to pull so hard? There is quite a bit of tension on the winch strap before it snugs-up under the bow-stop. Plus I always have to splash some water on the bow-stop roller to lubricate it enough to allow the boat to slide up the roller.

You need to adjust your trailer by lowering the bow stop. When the bow eye is hard up under the trailer bow stop the keel and hull of your boat should sit level and in contact with all the trailer supports. You want both those adjustments right to keep everything snugged down and "true."

 

[roscoe]

Re: How tight to tighten the winch.

Wait. first things first.

Adjust the trailer to fit the boat when on dry land.

Then adjust your method to fit the rig.

From what you say, "when the bow first hits the bow-stop roller, the bow eye is 6-8 inches below the bow-stop", You are backing the trailer too far into the water.

Once the trailer and boat fit together, it is just a matter of trial and error to find the correct water depth to load.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: How tight to tighten the winch.

ditto-- you want it to fit right on land-- water will lower or raise the rest points when pulling onto trailer

 

[nitsuj]

Re: How tight to tighten the winch.

From what you say, "when the bow first hits the bow-stop roller, the bow eye is 6-8 inches below the bow-stop", You are backing the trailer too far into the water.

How are you figuring he's backing too far into the water from what he said? Don't get me wrong, I'm not disputing you, but how far in to back has always been something I've wondered about. I just sort of guesstimate, and it's always worked well for me. But I've often wondered if there was a correct amount to back in, or if it was a matter of personal preference.

 

[captharv]

Re: How tight to tighten the winch.

I went from an all roller E-Z-loader trailer to a bunk trailer. I have been boating for a long time, and I had to launch and retreive 10 times before I got it right.
The boat was adjusted to the trailer by professionals. I had to refine my method to fit it.