Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

[atx111]

Just kind of curious to see to what degree people go to protect their boats while trailering on the open road.
I have to trailer my boat 50 miles round trip to my local lake, probably 2 times a week. Just did a 200 mile round trip this last weekend, and usually make a 600 mile round trip 3-4 times a year. The local lake is 2 lane paved highway, and the longer trips are mainly interstates. So, never ever gravel roads.

I use the Emkay Rock Tamers and love them. In the 2 years I've had my current boat, I've never observed any kind of rock chip or other damage to the boat. I know there are other similar products, such as Towtectors, and even some products that mount on the trailer protecting the whole bow of the boat.

Like I said, just wondering what other people did, what other products they used, and how they like them.

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

I have a Towtectors and love it. It stays on my truck once the boating season starts and comes off at the end of the season.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

Has anyone ever used the Bow Buddy? http://www.trailer-rockguard.com/
I am thinking of this but I wonder how it would stand up to the strong winds we get out here.

 

[atx111]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

Has anyone ever used the Bow Buddy? http://www.trailer-rockguard.com/
I am thinking of this but I wonder how it would stand up to the strong winds we get out here.

I saw those too. Yeah, not sure how long they would last driving highway speeds. Seems like a good idea, but still think that a hitch mounted system like the Towtectors and Rocktamers work just as well, and not look as weird. I'd also be removing those things all the time to wipe down the boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

I use a product called Nothing.

It takes no time at all to take on and off and its invisible to the human eye. No maintenance at all. Just hook up and go. Some 10-20K miles later I might be able to find a stone chip if I looked really hard. The best $0 I ever spent.

 

[jkust]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

I've had an ongoing very frustrating problem with my Chaparral. I use 4 mud flaps on my truck/tow vehicle and the big RockTamer system. The problem is the boat is wider than the truck and small chips keep poping up on the area of the bow that is wider than the truck presumably from other highway traffic. I used to at least cover parts of it with some painters tape and remove it when I get to my destination but have gotten lazy.
I really need a custom solution or something like the trailer rock guard above. What i'd like is something similar to what is on the front of my tow vehicle which is that 3m clear plastic that is professionally installed on the car that goes 1/3 the way up the hood and fenders and bumper. This has been such a problem for me I can't believe there isn't a common mainstream solution readily available.

 

[atx111]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

jkust---Maybe talk to a place that does the full vehicle wraps? I have friends that have had their boats fully wrapped in custom graphics. I'm thinking they can probably do it in a clear film as well?

 

[jkust]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

jkust---Maybe talk to a place that does the full vehicle wraps? I have friends that have had their boats fully wrapped in custom graphics. I'm thinking they can probably do it in a clear film as well?

I wonder how practical that material is in the water getting hit hard with pressure all day.

 

[atx111]

Re: Protecting the Boat from Road Debris While Trailering

I have a couple of friends that have full custom graphic wraps on their Mastercrafts and I've never heard them complain. I cant imagine that the clear stuff would be any different. Might be worth checking out anyway if you're getting that many rock chips on your gel coat.