boat never lines up on trailer

[mercerfisherman]

Everytime I bring my boat in from the water it always lines up more to one side than in the middle of the trailer. I can't figure out why. I have a shoreland'r trailer with rollers. Would one side of the rollers being higher than the other cause this? How can you tell if the rollers are all equally the same in height? Also, about how far above the middle frame of the trailer should my boat rest. Mine almost rubs against the frame in the middle. Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

you trailer need to be reset. get the boat centered on the trailer, on level ground, you can lower the tongue, block up the transom, so it is centered on the trailer and level. raise the trailer tongue, this will take the pressure off the rollers so they and be readjusted. to the centered and level boat. if necessary you can block the bow also and lower the trailer to adjust front rollers.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

I have found that hull design has a great deal to do with it. A predominant keel, pads, lifting strakes, and/or deep vees all help to get her centered.

If you have a flattish bottomed boat putting guide boards on the side of the trailer will help. Unless a deep v, rollers probably won't help much, but bunks would; but again, you have to have something to align with the bunks. A flat bottom can't do that.

If the flat bottom has a predominant keel, you could install keel rollers (the wide ones......12") on your trailer and adjust them to touch the bottom of the boat when trailered.

Other thing that might help is alighment rods; stick up in the air at the rear of the trailer. Could be made from Sch 40 PVC in 1 1/4" diameter. Lining up on these and the winch would give you a better idea as to what straight on is.

Mark

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

I'm not 100% sure if this would work on your trailer but you can get self-centering rollers, they sell them everywhere

 

[Tcrum5711]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

It might also depend on weight distribution. My boat only has a starboard console and the batteries are on that side also. It always leans to that side on the trailer. I've tried adjusting the rollers and even took it back to the dealer to see if the trailer was 'tweeked'. Nothing has worked other than when I put it on the trailer, I have the guy in the boat stand on the port side and it goes on straight.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

have you thought about putting side bunk guide ons, on your trailer, and allowing only about 1 inch clearance on each side. it would have to line up then.

 

[rukus]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

Another thing to consider is assuming the trailer is adjusted correctly, sometimes if the trailer is buried too far in the water, the boat does not ride up the rollers, but instead floats over them and then settles down wherever it may be when the trailer $& boat are pulled up the ramp. This happens to me when I don't pay attention or rush in taking the boat out.

 

[water-boy]

Re: boat never lines up on trailer

switch to carpeted bunks, unless you're talking about a 25' + LOA boat. One center roller and maybe one more on center near the bow. Rollers are a good way to drop your boat on the highway!!!!!! not nice. I always bury the trailer in the water, float on and leave it about 2 or 3 feet short, drive ahead and winch the boat the remainder. This works good when fighting a current or high wind. I don't care for the tall side guides. good luck