Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

[Simple_Man]

New to me. I just want to know if the trailer is set up correctly for this boat. I know I need to get a bow tie down chain, and new transom straps. I am considering a roller under the bow. I am also wondering if I need to move the whole boat forward

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Other than the tiedowns you mentioned don't change a thing....

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Only thing I see to keep an eye on will be the block of wood under the rear roller set. It that rots out it could cause some issues.

Get the suggested tie downs and enjoy the boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Only thing I see to keep an eye on will be the block of wood under the rear roller set.

Whoops I missed that..... I would remove the wood blocks...

 

[Simple_Man]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Thx All Trying to think of what i have on hand to replace those blocks with

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Thx All Trying to think of what i have on hand to replace those blocks with

get rid of it entirely... It looks like the hull has more than enough clearance on the cross member (pics don't show it directly though, could be wrong), that would be the only reason to have a block there. It looks like maybe the previous owner didn't have the correct U bolts, it doesn't look like they are threaded any further down. They needed the block to compensate for the lack of threads.

 

[Simple_Man]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

From what I see if I take the blocks out the boat will not sit level

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

You don't WANT the boat to sit level.... The rear should be lower to drain any water from the bilge

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

You don't WANT the boat to sit level.... The rear should be lower to drain any water from the bilge

Yep, there is absolutely no point to having any levelness to the boat. Generally you want it as close to the trailer as you safely can have it, any extra height just makes it harder to unload.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

After revisiting the pictures you posted.

I think others are correct. The threads may not be long enough to remove the block and just tighten them down. A couple of ideas come to mind.
1. The most obvious... Buy new U-bolts.
2. Use some sort of spacer like an over size nut or stack of washers to make up the difference in height.

There appears to be plenty of clearance between hull and fender. This may as well gain you a little more clearance between bow keel and cross member on front of trailer.

Only reason I can see it might be there was to help avoid additional chunks out of the skeg on the lower unit. I doubt those were done while loading but who knows????
One other possibility comes to mind is they were added to increase rear height of motor while towing. As in clearing the drive way when entering and exiting if they had an apron transition from drive to street. ???

 

[airshot]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

I might suggest the same thing I did on my trailer, add a keel roller to the cross member in the front which currently appears to have a rubber piece to protect the keel on steep angle ramps. Had the same thing on mine and added a keel roller to both protect the hull and adjusted it to help support the hull in that area which has little support. I would also add a safety chain vertical from tongue to bow eye.
Good boatin...........

 

[Simple_Man]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Thanks Everyone!!!! the boat loads and unload like a dream now. so I think I am going to keep the height of the rear rollers and jack up the front when not in use. I know I need to add a safety tie down at the bow. Adding a roller to the front cross member sounds like a plan.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

The MAIN reason to lower the rear is to get rid of the wood blocks that might split, spit out, and cause serious damage to your boat.....

Just pick up a ouple new U-bolts in the correct size n swap it out... EASY job and will be all around better


Also you have NO need for a roller on the front... The boat should never touch it... If it does then you are backing in WAY too far... You barely need to get the rear rollers in the water w that trailer

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Also you have NO need for a roller on the front... The boat should never touch it... If it does then you are backing in WAY too far... You barely need to get the rear rollers in the water w that trailer

I disagree. I would want a roller up under the bow. Not for rolling on and off but for additional support and weight displacement. You can keep all the rollers dry and still need rollers. and another roller toward the bow will help for dry launch/retrieves.

Also I think your rear roller is too close to the stern corner. they do not have to go all the way back, but if your boat ever gets pushed or rolls too far forward and comes off that roller, it's hell to pay.

As others said forget levelling--and forget having the stern lower since you take care of that when you unhitch and jack it up, although if you can rig it stern-low, it's more convenient.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

That boat is setting on 16 roller if it weighs say 2400 lbs that's 150 lbs per roller.... It doesn't NEED any more support.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

That boat is setting on 16 roller if it weighs say 2400 lbs that's 150 lbs per roller.... It doesn't NEED any more support.

the 16 rollers are all under the flat part of the hull, and the keel is the strongest part of the boat. There is a long stretch of real estate from the last roller to the bow eye that will bounce and flex while driving--and bow eye support is not the best for weight displacement.

I've had, have and used many combos of roller trailers and keel support is standard in my experience. Your 150# is sitting on an area that is 3" by 1/2", like the back of an axe head, punching the flat parts on every bounce.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Eh.... Not saying keel rollers would hurt but from my experience w junking fiberglass boats a 20 lb sledge swung as hard as I can just bounces off.... The force to damage it with a rubber roller would be immense.

removing the wood IMHO is much more important.

 

[Simple_Man]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Thanks again Everyone I agree the wood blocks are bad. but if i remove them I have to keep the motor tilted during storage. My Grandfather told me never to store a motor tilted

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

you can store a motor tilted*, just be sure to drain it first by tilting all the way down. And you don't have to store it tilted all the way up; after you park just lower it to the ground (or onto a small board).

*if there is risk of freezing, prevent rain from getting in through the prop

 

[Simple_Man]

Re: Opinion Wanted boat placement on trailer

Thanks Home Cookin unfortunately I was just going by what my grandfather told me when i helped with his boat.