Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Actually no it's not the same type of bracket. It's arms are much shorter so it has to sit straight up like that. Gonna see what I can do.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Massillon,

I was poking around on CraigsList and found this boat, I snipped the bow stop area as it reminded me of your setup, he has the winch on top...:

 

[smoedog]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

With that setup in a accident or hard braking the bow will come up over the roller

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Your winch stand is totally inappropriate for your boat. Looks like it wouldn't work for any boat for that matter.

The cable or strap must pull slightly upward when it contacts the bow eye. Thus, you need to move your winch up. From the pics it looks like that isn't possible.

Go to a marina that sells trailers and buy a winch stand that is adjustable and fits the size of your tongue.

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Your winch stand is totally inappropriate for your boat. Looks like it wouldn't work for any boat for that matter.

The cable or strap must pull slightly upward when it contacts the bow eye. Thus, you need to move your winch up. From the pics it looks like that isn't possible.

Go to a marina that sells trailers and buy a winch stand that is adjustable and fits the size of your tongue.

I think i found what I need. Looking at some adjustable assemblies. I'll update with progress.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Your winch stand is totally inappropriate for your boat. Looks like it wouldn't work for any boat for that matter.

Go to a marina that sells trailers and buy a winch stand that is adjustable and fits the size of your tongue.

I'm thinkin a 1/2" drill in a drill press and an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and 1 hour time I could get it to fit.

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Ordered one of these: The post itself is 24" but the roller can reach up to 30". Should have plenty of adjustment to get it right and it even comes with safety chains!

http://wescotrailers.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=68&product_id=144

Should be here in a couple days. I think I'm gonna rustoleum it black and slap it on there?

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

I'm thinkin a 1/2" drill in a drill press and an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and 1 hour time I could get it to fit.

The bow stop strut has a couple hairline cracks forming at the base and I'm not geared with a drill press or even a cutoff.. Plus the scolding from UncleWillie really influenced me to find a more appropriate setup altogether. Just messin Willie! I appreciate everyones input on this stuff. And I agree and I knew it wasn't right.. I just justified the risk but not towing it very far or fast, and I'm generally a pretty safe driver so yeah.. I know everything can change in the blink of an eye and all that so I think the new winch post is the way to go.. And it'll only cost be about $120 when its all said and done. Not too back for the added flexibility and piece of mind.
Anyone need my old winch post? heh

Once I get the front end squared away, I'll take another look at that keel roller.

Oh, another question... What makes a trailer a "drive on" trailer as opposed to not? Or Drift on?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Oh, another question... What makes a trailer a "drive on" trailer as opposed to not? Or Drift on?

The operator! People drive/float on with both types of trailers. Bunks and roller trailers can both be used this way. It's mostly a matter of how much or how often do you want to sink your trailer.

For me floating/driving on is not an option because the ramp at the end of my road is so shallow I can't get the trailer deep enough to float it on. As in so shallow that the rear crossmember isn't in the water until the boat is partially on and the bed tilts.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Ordered one of these: The post itself is 24" but the roller can reach up to 30". Should have plenty of adjustment to get it right and it even comes with safety chains!

http://wescotrailers.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=68&product_id=144

Should be here in a couple days. I think I'm gonna rustoleum it black and slap it on there?

Tha'll work!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

The operator! People drive/float on with both types of trailers. Bunks and roller trailers can both be used this way. It's mostly a matter of how much or how often do you want to sink your trailer.

For me floating/driving on is not an option because the ramp at the end of my road is so shallow I can't get the trailer deep enough to float it on. As in so shallow that the rear crossmember isn't in the water until the boat is partially on and the bed tilts.

Bonz is right. Also, since it's harder to winch on bunks than rollers, most people with bunk trailers tend to dunk them and float/drive on.
Rollers give you greater options for ramp conditions, and for many rigs, keeping the axle out of the salt water.
And then there are tilt trailers.

Also, be careful mentioning "drive on" lest you stir up the power-loading debate!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

...I think I'm gonna Rustoleum it black and slap it on there?

The original trailer was bare steel, primed and painted. That works.

Rustoleum over galvanized will look good for a few weeks.
Paint and galvanized do not stick together well without special prep and primer.
Leave it bare. No rustproofing needed.

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

The original trailer was bare steel, primed and painted. That works.

Rustoleum over galvanized will look good for a few weeks.
Paint and galvanized do not stick together well without special prep and primer.
Leave it bare. No rustproofing needed.

That works as well. I'll post pics once I get it all setup.

Yeah, we're not trying to get controversial here so I'm definitely a wincher, not a p_loader! My motor stalls out when I tilt it up and give it gas so I can't really "powerload" if I try lol... It more like a "half power" load..

 

[captain zac]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

From one worthless nut too another

Wesco is right around the corner from where I work
been there many times they will let me buy direct
they do a good job

Harry

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

From one worthless nut too another

Wesco is right around the corner from where I work
been there many times they will let me buy direct
they do a good job

Harry

The price was right that's for sure! Jeremy with Wesco was the one who helped me and was great answering any questions I had. I felt very good about ordering from him.

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

This look good at the rear? This is with the boat almost all the way into the old bow stop. I haven't gotten the mounting hardware yet for the new winch post.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Location looks fine to me!

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

Update: Got the winch post fitted. Looks like the bow stop is too high. I want a level winch strap and the bow eye closer to the bow roller right? Not sure I like that bow roller either. It's pretty hard plastic.

Problem I'm going to end up with is I won't be able to open the back gate on my cherokee while the trailer is hooked up. Bah!

I tell ya though, its a whole lot easier to winch up! Lol!
How much can I let the stern of the boat hang off the roller? Maybe I can move the whole boat back on the trailer to allow me to slide the winch post back and out of the way of the gate on the truck?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

I think your rear roller is too close to the end of the boat. There is liklely to be some flex or give at the bow--believe it or not, things get loose over time and braking puts a lot of force forward, no matter how "perfect" it is when you rig it. When your boat falls off that roller, it will be a problem. BTDT.
There is no need for it to sit directly under the transom; give yourself a few inches margin of error.

But while you're at it--be sure the trailer/boat is properly balanced. I recall it's 10% gross weight for tongue weight; if I'm wrong others will say so.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Boat is hard to winch and keel scraping main beam.

If you drop the winch/roller down until the strap is level I think that will put the roller in the right place. Move the whole post back from the hitch a little to get the rear keel roller under the boat a bit more. It might give the room for the liftgate to clear the winch post too. Then start weighing to get the tongue weight right. You might need to the move the trailer axle for proper weight distribution.