Trailer roller causing keel damage

[superbenk]

My old trailer supports my boat toward the bow on a keel roller & it's caused damage. I've patched it a few times since I've gotten the boat, but the damage keeps recurring after a few retrievals.


(Click for larger image)

The trailer is a tilting style trailer, but I don't ever use it that way (in fact, I've run brake lines through the center beam so I can't use it that way anyhow), but it makes for a very long center beam under the keel. Does anyone have any ideas on ways I can spread the support more or perhaps add additional bunks so the boat isn't resting so much weight on that roller? I've just raised the front of the existing bunks about 1/2" tonight to see if that helps some.

I wanted to get a Keel Guard to protect the keel, but they explicitly state not to use them if your keel is supported by a roller.

 

[davlafont]

Re: Trailer roller causing keel damage

Maybe raising the the bunks evenly (not just in front) by a good inch or two? You'll want to keep an eye on the bow stop and adjust it or the angle of the bunks to keep contact there.

 

[The Hammer]

Re: Trailer roller causing keel damage

I have the same trailer with same problem, I was thinking of putting a much wider roller there, as it seems that the boat jumps to the side and the damage is from the braket itself. As hard as I try to load it perfect incidents happen.

 

[64osby]

Re: Trailer roller causing keel damage

I had the same problem, I would take the boat once or twice a year on a 4-5 hour trip and it would wear in to the keel. Repair it once a year.

See the attached pics for my solution. I had some left over bleacher rollers and rigged them up at the front location to provide 3 wheel to support the weight and 3 on each side to provide tracking. I also then moved the left over front roller to the center position to give additional support at that location.

I realize that not everyone has left over bleacher rollers but maybe it will give you some ideas.

If your close to SW MI maybe I could get some parts in your hands.

Good luck

 

[superbenk]

Re: Trailer roller causing keel damage

I had the same problem, I would take the boat once or twice a year on a 4-5 hour trip and it would wear in to the keel. Repair it once a year.

See the attached pics for my solution. I had some left over bleacher rollers and rigged them up at the front location to provide 3 wheel to support the weight and 3 on each side to provide tracking. I also then moved the left over front roller to the center position to give additional support at that location.

I realize that not everyone has left over bleacher rollers but maybe it will give you some ideas.

If your close to SW MI maybe I could get some parts in your hands.

Good luck

That's a cool setup. I might have to be a little more creative too. Unfortunately I live in SE Pennsylvania, so I won't be in your neck of the woods anytime soon, but thanks for the offer!

I did raise the bunks up tonight a bit more and now the boat actually sits about 1/4" above that front keel roller. I'm not 100% happy with this setup still, but at least it takes the load off the keel in that one spot. I'm sure Google can help me find some fancy setup that I can afford at some point soon.

 

[kaliona]

Re: Trailer roller causing keel damage

My boat's keel also gets marred by the center roller on my trailer. Is the boat supposed to be resting on that roller to begin with? I thought it was just a guide to help center and keep the keel from hitting the crossmember while loading. Shouldn't the boat be resting completely on the bunkers and off the roller when properly loaded? I was thinking about extending my bunkers and raising them just a tad to accomplish this.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Trailer roller causing keel damage

My boat's keel also gets marred by the center roller on my trailer. Is the boat supposed to be resting on that roller to begin with? I thought it was just a guide to help center and keep the keel from hitting the crossmember while loading. Shouldn't the boat be resting completely on the bunkers and off the roller when properly loaded? I was thinking about extending my bunkers and raising them just a tad to accomplish this.

My keel isn't just getting marred, the fiberglass actually has a chunk out of it due to hitting too hard (it cracked & a chunk broke away).

I adjusted the bunks last night so it's actually not touching that keel roller at all now. It's about 1/4-1/2" above it now. We'll see how that goes.

I really wish the trailer was a newer style such that it'd cradle the boat lower and more completely. As it is now, it feels like the boat rides pretty high off the ground compared to a lot of newer boats/trailers I see. Maybe that's just due to the tilt-style trailer. Regardless, the boat isn't worth a new trailer just to solve this simple problem.