Wanting to add guide ons

[bretto]

I'm going to add some to the trailer and I'm going to make them myself. My tentative plans are to take some 3" wide 3/16 plate and at most 20" long length up the sides of the boat to tee off to a 18" carpeted 2X4 rail. I will have a make a few bends to follow the contour of the boat and trailer. My plan was to weld them to the side of trailer beam. I guess my main concern is, will the 3/16 plate be tough enough not to twist or flex.

 

[bretto]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

I should add that the boat is a 18' Four Winns Freedom.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

hate to tell you they will be next to useless, they will get in the way on a steep ramp, as they will be under water. possibly scratching the hull.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

Ayuh,...

They'll be Under the boat, when you need them the most....

I use pretty Steep ramps,... My guides are about 5' High...

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

IMHO, You'd be better off to buy ( or make if you insist) some of the PVC post type guide on's. These run high enough so they catch your rail at any launch/retrieve depth (without scratching your hull). Run them tight and perpedicular to the trailer and they center the boat in the same place regardless of trailer depth. While your at it, mount your lights on them and enjoy their reliability too.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

here is a old pic of what my trailer came with and they work pretty good on the lakes here in the west
they are made from a channel up right and square stock bottom welded to form a ell. making two legs with a 2x4 used as a cross peice.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

I'd just note that JAX's boat has nearly vertical sides (aft) that are parallel to his vertical guide on's. If your boat has more flare to it's sides ( as many do) that type of guide on will vary in it's effectiveness according to trailer depth.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

I'd just note that JAX's boat has nearly vertical sides (aft) that are parallel to his vertical guide on's. If your boat has more flare to it's sides ( as many do) that type of guide on will vary in it's effectiveness according to trailer depth.

good call wee; there is one ramp i use that is so steep you can float your boat and still have 5' of dry ramp behind yor pu bumper. you can walk to the trailer tongue step on the front of the boat and never get your feet wet. great to unload. but loading a whole another story. there is so much water under the boat that when the wind is blowing or the lakes running its tough to get the boat to drop on the bunks square. the guides help but i leave 2" so they dont rub and this leaves 4" for the boat to shift if its touching one of the guides. you have very little distance moving up while the boat is floating and and before it touches down on the bunk.

 

[malfar]

Re: Wanting to add guide ons

Check these out - http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=269026
I built them at a fraction of the cost - they work so good I should start selling them. If you have any questions just ask me.