Trailer modifications

[Lino]

Ok, the last few days I moved the boat on my trailer forward, I did not like the fact that the end of the trailer was almost 5 feet into the boat, boat overhang, so I moved the winch support forward about 11.5 inches then the axle that was at the end of the trailer, I moved it forward 8 inches, looks better and at least the lights are now closer to the end of the boat.
Now I need some rollers, I only have one, and I really don't like it, because my keel angle is about 43 degrees, and most rollers I find seem to be around 35 degree angle, this is useless because only the keel bottom touches the roller 6,8 or 10 inch roller, and only 1 inch of support.
I have been looking at rollers, but none say what angle they are cut, only the length this info is not much help.
What would be a better alternative for me, that will provide better boat support, and roll easy.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer modifications

so you're saying the end of the trailer is still 4 feet from the end of the boat?

you don't need rollers, you need a bigger trailer

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

so you're saying the end of the trailer is still 4 feet from the end of the boat?

you don't need rollers, you need a bigger trailer

I don't disagree but that's not going to happen, maybe I will take a picture tomorrow, almost 4 feet is better that 5, I can't believe the old. Owner got away with that, the boat needs some work, and I putting plenty of that into it, before taking it out, hopefully later this month.
Winter brings beautiful ocean conditions to Monterey, Ca. area, the water gets colder, but the visibility is usually great, 30 to 50 feet.
http://http://www.basspro.com/C-E-Smith-Roller-Bunks/product/1075/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT
I'm considering these, are they any good, gotta be better that what I have.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trailer modifications

If you moved the axle 8 inches forward, considering it was already as far BACK as it would go and with four feet of overhang, I would guess you also have a very improperly balanced trailer -- meaning way too little tongue weight.

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

If you moved the axle 8 inches forward, considering it was already as far BACK as it would go and with four feet of overhang, I would guess you also have a very improperly balanced trailer -- meaning way too little tongue weight.

I read the thread about tongue weight, so I'm keeping this I mind, is is a little heavier than it was, I could weigh it, but I don't know the weight of the boat and trailer.
The tongue weigh is a little higher than it was because I moved the boat more than the axle.

 

[limitout]

Re: Trailer modifications

if the boat isn't supported properly, that will deform the hull or cause hull and stringer failure over time.

the way that you describe that it is now, all the leverage is on the hull and not the transom.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailer modifications

I don't disagree but that's not going to happen, maybe I will take a picture tomorrow, almost 4 feet is better that 5,

Not really... Short of a welder and a new axle, you can move the boat around all day, still won't fix the problem. Moving the boat isn't even a bandaid to this problem!

IF the trailer survives, which is doubtful, the hull is going to be damaged in a relatively short time by this.How long did the previous owner have it like this? How do you know that the boat ever lived on this trailer, until the day you bought it?

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

Not really... Short of a welder and a new axle, you can move the boat around all day, still won't fix the problem. Moving the boat isn't even a bandaid to this problem!

IF the trailer survives, which is doubtful, the hull is going to be damaged in a relatively short time by this.How long did the previous owner have it like this? How do you know that the boat ever lived on this trailer, until the day you bought it?

It will be fine, I have good common cense, I'm a maintenance mechanic I can fix anything.
I don't know is it did much time on the trailer, the bottom was real dirty from sitting in the water, it has had hull repair where it sits on the roller before, fiberglass reinforced.
Hopefully when I have some extra money, I would like to remove the motor, and have the whole bottom repaired, and a fresh gel cote, maybe next year.
This boat is light, maybe somewhere around 1000 pounds.

 

[limitout]

Re: Trailer modifications

as I understand things you have 3 main points of work that needs to be done:

1 - the trailer doesn't fit boat correctly

- trailers are cheap and most likely selling yours and buying one a little bigger might be cheaper then completely redoing yours.

2 - you said you have hull damage repairs from previous trailer damage done to the boat

- I think that's because most likely it wasn't supported properly and you cant be sure of what internal to the hull structural damage might be unseen and who knows if repairs were done properly. I would be very careful to make sure its structurally sound before spending any money fixing it.

3 hull needs to be re-repaired and gel coated

- as with #2 above watch out for major time and expense with the proverbial can of worms being opened


I dunno ....

sounds like the motor is all you have that doesn't need to be redone at this point so pick your battles so to speak and put your time and energy into the boat and you would have an easier time of it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer modifications

It will be fine, I have good common cense,

the word is sense and apparently,no you don't..... hauling that boat on that trailer works just about as well as carrying a baby up without supporting it's head.

You already have evidence that the trailer is destroying the boat but you think it will be fine...


My words may sound harsh but IF they can convince you, harsh words are better than a busted boat any day.

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

When you put a boat, let's say 500 pounds being supported by 1 square inch, over limited travel time, that 1 square inch it's bound to give.
This boat is a rigid inflatable, so ye with the collars full it does go beyond the fenders, but this is no real weight.
It has 1 single roller with a 30-35 degree slopes, the hull slope is 43 degrees, this is like holding your boat by your thumb, if your thumb never gives, the hull will, this is too much weight for a square inch.
The size of the trailer for the boat is fine, just a bad setup.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer modifications

you are right about one thing... the trailer IS fine ..... for a 4' shorter boat

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

It's actually pretty common for a boat to extend past the trailer from pictures I see.
2000 Reinell 20ft
This one is a good 3 feet to the end of propeller.
2012 G3 14' Fishing Boat w 2014 Yamaha 6HP Motor
This one is over 2 feet.
All American Classic Tournament Tow Boat SKI SUPREME
This one is hard to tell the end of the trailer, but you can see, that the tail lights are a good 4 feet from the end.
Really if someone hits the back of your boat, they could get away with the fact that the tail lights are far from the actual end of your boat, this was my main issue, I did not like, if I wasn't going faster than a truck that changed into my lane behind me, he would have hit my boat, because the taillight sewer way under the boat.
You want to see more?

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

Here is mine a good 4 feet from the end of the trailer, tail lights well hidden cannot be seen from above.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/60469669/2013-12-11%2016.47.31.jpg

 

[limitout]

Re: Trailer modifications

It's actually pretty common for a boat to extend past the trailer from pictures I see.
2000 Reinell 20ft
This one is a good 3 feet to the end of propeller.
2012 G3 14' Fishing Boat w 2014 Yamaha 6HP Motor
This one is over 2 feet.
All American Classic Tournament Tow Boat SKI SUPREME
This one is hard to tell the end of the trailer, but you can see, that the tail lights are a good 4 feet from the end.
Really if someone hits the back of your boat, they could get away with the fact that the tail lights are far from the actual end of your boat, this was my main issue, I did not like, if I wasn't going faster than a truck that changed into my lane behind me, he would have hit my boat, because the taillight sewer way under the boat.
You want to see more?

where the prop is doesn't matter, all that matters is where the transom is at.

2000 Reinell 20ft if you look at the pictures you will see the motor and cosmetic shape of the hull extend past the trailer but the transom itself is sitting over the rear cross member of the frame. these boats have stepped hulls and the transome is inward from the back end of the boat for good looks and styling but it has no structural purpose to it

2012 G3 14' Fishing Boat w 2014 Yamaha 6HP Motor a close look at this boat and you will see its sitting on a jet ski trailer with a 2" square tongue. not saying they wouldn't try to sell it that way but thats not the correct sized trailer for that boat.

All American Classic Tournament Tow Boat SKI SUPREME a close look at the second picture in this ad will see the frame is clearly extended under the transome all the way to the back of the boat and the side guides are just mounted in a forward position only making it look to be a short trailer

one thing is for sure you can do anything you want to and you can probably get away with it because it is a light weight rig.

we might sound like we are being harsh but we take safety very seriously at this site and never mince words when it comes to dangerous practices.

Here is mine a good 4 feet from the end of the trailer, tail lights well hidden cannot be seen from above.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jnc43lz9xsbcveo/2013-12-09%2013.14.47.jpg

all you have there is a jet ski trailer, that is why it is so short, it is sized for jet ski hulls and not for boats.

 

[Lino]

Re: Trailer modifications

Edit: I think this thread has got a little bit off track as the boat/trailer combo wasn't completely understood at first. Might be good that we had a little bit of a do over with the info we now have

Day 1 I put 900 miles on that trailer, I was concerned about a blowout, and it didn't happen.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Trailer modifications

Looking at your picture your trailer isn't AS bad as you made it sound..... the cone of the tube and the outboard need not be supported by the trailer and does not factor into the overhang.... it LOOKS like the transom is maybe 2 feet behind the frame... it's STILL not OK but 4 feet (IE 50% of the boat's weight) would be insane... your boat IS very light and you might well be able to make the trailer fit it well enough just by extending the tongue as long as it is rated for the total weight.....

Ideally, and especially on an outboard boat the transom really should be directly over the last cross member of the trailer.

another option would be short rigid steel or aluminum bunks pivoting 2" ahead of their center on the rear cross member with carpeted wood pads on top. That would effectively support the hull all the way to the transom.

as for lights not being visible, pvc guide on's with lights mounted at the top are MUCH more visible than frame mounted under the boat.

 

[limitout]

Re: Trailer modifications

Edited out - QC
Day 1 I put 900 miles on that trailer, I was concerned about a blowout, and it didn't happen.

here is a jet ski trailer much like yours:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pwc-Jetski-..._Watercraft_Parts&hash=item417a177025&vxp=mtr

it doesn't mean it cant do the job its just designed for shorter hulls is all and since you don't have much weight there your boat is not much heavier then a jet ski so it should work fine if you can rearrange the supports in the right places

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Trailer modifications

I don't know of many/any older trailers where the transom is directly over the last cross member. If that were the case everybody would have to float the boat on to keep from hitting the keel on the cross member. Directly over the end of the bunks or last rollers is more accurate. I don't know where you get your 4' past the back of the trailer measurement from? Either I'm seeing things or it looks like your outboard is currently pretty darned close to the back of the bunks right now. As smoke said, if you want more visible lights but them on top of PVC guides.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Trailer modifications



Don't let the "Doom and Gloomers" get you down. This boat spent 30 years on a too small trailer--however don't get too optimistic: it does have a slight hook in the bottom. This year, I did upgrade to a much larger trailer--I had one and it made sense to switch. In the last photo, notice the much longer bunks I made and cut to fit the angle of the hull. These bunks bear on the hull at the strakes where the stringers are internally located--a strong point.

4 feet is a lot for the boat to hang over the rear trailer crossmember BUT. If you build thick bunks--say 2 X 8 or use roller bunks with steel frames they will support it fine. The only real problem you will have is getting the axle to a point where you have good tongue weight to prevent trailer fishtailing.

The vee in the rollers doesn't really count. Vee rollers are usually for bow stops. Keel rollers are either dumbbell shaped or gently tapered with a center groove that the keel sets in. Properly supported, the hull should rest primarily on the bunks or roller bunks with the keel rollers used mainly for guidance while loading.