Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

[NelsonQ]

I've recently purchased a new boat/bunk trailer combo.

Last Thursday, pulling it up the steep ramp from the launch, I noticed that it was a 'little' wiggly. Well it turns out, with little effort, I was able to lift the bow roller/winch post directly out of the receiver on the trailer. (All I could picture was my new boat/motor sliding down the launch)

To shorten this story, I fixed it up and got it home.

My question is location. Typically the bow roller post sits above the bow eye, but the length of the post isn't long enough to be able to tighten both bolts to hold it firmly in place so I've located it below the ring.

So, what's the right thing to do:

- take it above the bow eye (only one bolt to fasten it and risk it being too loose)

- leave it below the eye

- purchase/extend a new roller/winch post to allow it to sit above the bow eye.

I think it's ok below, but wanted others to give their thoughts

 

[Burtonair01]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

Thats how mine is and it works just great! I'd leave it just like that!

 

[Fastway]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

As long as the eye doesnt catch the roller when loading, I'd leave it as well.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

As long as the eye doesnt catch the roller when loading, I'd leave it as well.

Thanks guys. The trailer fits perfect otherwise but I've never seen one with the roller lower than the bow eye.

I'm going to test that on Thursday but that is one of my bigger concerns.

As I mentioned, I dropped the post down at the launch to secure to the trailer and didn't actually winch it in place like that.

If that's the only problem, I could even drop it down another inch to get that clearance.

I guess I'll know more by end of the week.

 

[insearch]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

You guys living together?

this is the same boat as in post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=409356

Which one of you is the Wingnut

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

You guys living together?

this is the same boat as in post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=409356

Which one of you is the Wingnut

Too funny...looks like wingnutt used my pic as reference....either that or he's living in my basement unknown to me..

It 'tis my boat however....

 

[Wingnutt]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

As admitted in my post, I did "borrow" Nelson's pic. I though about posting my question here, because of the pictures showed exactly what I was describing, but didn't want to hijack his thread.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

As admitted in my post, I did "borrow" Nelson's pic. I though about posting my question here, because of the pictures showed exactly what I was describing, but didn't want to hijack his thread.

NO worries....I didn't copyright it so you're welcome to use it

 

[Rscardina]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

in my experience the roller should be above the eylet...i guess it could work just fine the way you have but as other have mentioned..if it does hit the roller then you should adjust accordingly.

I would think if your boat is on the trailer as it should be then why not slide the winch arm forward and fully extend the telescoping part of the winch..not sure if you tried that..but most of the winch arms can extend up quite a ways..

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

I would think if your boat is on the trailer as it should be then why not slide the winch arm forward and fully extend the telescoping part of the winch..not sure if you tried that..but most of the winch arms can extend up quite a ways..

That's the problem... if you look at the two bolts, the arm inside is just barely at the second bolt. Not long enough to raise it which is why I had to lower it.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

You could reverse the strap on the winch and have it come from the bottom of the spool instead of the top. This would provide a bit more "down" pull and maybe help keep the bow from bouncing. Just thought in lieu of redesigning the winch post.

UFM82

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

You could reverse the strap on the winch and have it come from the bottom of the spool instead of the top. This would provide a bit more "down" pull and maybe help keep the bow from bouncing. Just thought in lieu of redesigning the winch post.

UFM82

Interesting idea.... my only concern is if I'm winching it onto the boat if that will pull down on the bow eye and more likely down into the roller. Again, a good idea and one easy enough to try.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

I see a pretty stout safety chain so what you have is fine. However, the prevailing logic says to have the bow stop "above" the bow eye so that the winch cable or strap and the bow eye are "below" the bow stop. With the current setup, should the safety chain pop off or not hooked to the bow eye, a collision or very studden stop would launch the boat up and over the bow stop like in the photo below. I trust you also use stern tie downs. If not, this becomes an even more "real" scenario.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

Thanks for everyone's input. I realize I want the roller above the bow eye and while I use a safety chain and stern tie downs, it doesn't work below the eye.

I went away on vacation, launched my boat. Well as it started to launch, the bow eye comes to rest on the bow roller.

So I have a friend back in a little further to fully float the boat so I can lift it up over the bow roller.

Well that doesn't work for three reasons:

1. hard to do

2. not the way it should be setup (should be above the eye) so I answered my question thru experience

3. to accomplish lifting it over, I had to stand on the front of the trailer frame to do so. In doing it, my feet slipped. Well 2 things that I'm kinda attached to WERE above the bow roller and when I slipped came DOWN ON TOP OF the bow roller.

Either getting a new winch post with a longer post, or have it taken to a welding shop to have an extension welded on. Being a brand new boat/trailer, I've already contact the dealer to get this resolved.

 

[earringboy]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

I think if it's all brand new stuff the dealer owes you the proper equipment, after all you buy new to avoid things having to be "fixed". I am sure you laid down quite a bit of money for your rig, and to have the dealer provide you with the wrong stuff is just not right. Just my thoughts, I would be back at the dealer in a minute.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

I think if it's all brand new stuff the dealer owes you the proper equipment, after all you buy new to avoid things having to be "fixed". I am sure you laid down quite a bit of money for your rig, and to have the dealer provide you with the wrong stuff is just not right. Just my thoughts, I would be back at the dealer in a minute.

Agreed.... I contacted the dealer, and they have been helpful so far.

Problem is they're 1.5 hours away so I'm dealing by email for now until we find a resolution (their trailer guy is looking into how to fix this)

Good news is I have it parked in a slip and won't be trailering it in the next month or so, so I have some time to resolve it.

 

[Fed]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

Can the boat be lowered on the trailer?

 

[earringboy]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

Glad to hear they are working with you. I would think that it would be easy for them to get a longer upper half and ship it to you. No doubt a welding shop could lengthen the one you have if it comes down to it, I have welded motorcycle frames with great sucsess. Hopefuly your dealer will make it right, that is a high price rig, they should. Side note: since you were able to just pull the top half off at the launch you may want to check the rest of the nuts and bolts just to be sure.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Bow Roller/Winch Post Location w/pics

Can the boat be lowered on the trailer?

The boat can`t be lowered unfortunately