Boat / Trailer fit

[mpdcam]

Does my boat look like it is sitting on my trailer correctly. I think its too far back but I want other opinions. I would have to adjust the bunks to get the hull higher on the trailer to slide it forward. What about sliding the axles rearward. The back end of this boat his heavy with a 454 for an engine. It seems to bounce on the hitch when towing. Any ideas / comments? Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Rigging a boat/trailer for correct balance and safe towing.

1. Position the boat so that there is firm support directly under the transom.

2. Position the winch stand so that the bow eye is below the bow stop and a safety chain (with turnbuckle) attaches the bow eye firmly to the trailer frame.

3. Position the axle cradle so that 7-10% of entire weight is on the tongue.

It looks to me like your boat is too far back. To accomplish the above you will need to move everything forward except maybe the axle cradle.

It also looks like your trailer is too short for your boat. For safe clearance to turn you may need to extend the tongue before positioning the axle cradle.

Good looking boat.

Good luck.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Might try moving the winch post forward an inch or two, see if that helps. Sometimes it doesn't take much to change the load balance.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

It does look to far back. Before making any major modifications, can you move your winch pedestal forward any? It almost looks like the V of the bow is almost as far forward as it can be though. I had the same issue with my other boat, but I had plenty of room up front to move the pedestal forward safely and that fixed it. Maybe go to a local trailer builder and let them take a look. It definately looks to far back and if its bouncing then you could very well have too much weight too far back.

 

[mpdcam]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

It does look to far back. Before making any major modifications, can you move your winch pedestal forward any? It almost looks like the V of the bow is almost as far forward as it can be though. I had the same issue with my other boat, but I had plenty of room up front to move the pedestal forward safely and that fixed it. Maybe go to a local trailer builder and let them take a look. It definately looks to far back and if its bouncing then you could very well have too much weight too far back.

The V is about as far forward as it can go. If I move the bunks in a little it will raise the boat up some and then I might be able to gain a foot or so. This boat is very back end heavy.

Can the axle be moved with the boat on?

Thanks for all the input guys.

 

[JB]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

If you hook her up to your tow vehicle, jack up the stern and put a couple of jack stands under the back corners you can then unbolt and shift the axle cradle. It looks like both axles are on one cradle.

 

[mohead1]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Looks short for sure, you want the transom fully supported on the bunks in the rear, or that bouncing weight will tear things up. What size is that thing? Ive got my 210 on a used trailer and the trailer is actually a foot or so long for the boat. Trade ya!!

Just kiddin......my old trailer is good, but not fancy by any means......have a good one....

 

[mpdcam]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

The boat is 23'6" long. I've always kinda felt that the trailer was short.

JB - Thanks. I might give that a try.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

With all due respects to the previous posters and their excellent suggestions, before any changes are made we need to know the current tongue weight and gross weight of the boat/trailer.
Looks to me that the trailer is far too short and in the event the boat is moved forward sufficiently to support the transom the tongue will be draggin' the ground!!

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

With all due respects to the previous posters and their excellent suggestions, before any changes are made we need to know the current tongue weight and gross weight of the boat/trailer.
Looks to me that the trailer is far too short and in the event the boat is moved forward sufficiently to support the transom the tongue will be draggin' the ground!!

That is why I suggested taking it to a trailer builder and let them take a look. That is what I did and they gave me some pointers. Then I brought it back and had them finalize it and replace some things. I am sure they would have the equipment to do what you suggest. Because without knowing the tongue weight, you may not be able to move anything safely. I just think the trailer is just too small.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

In my Opinion, and thats just what it is, my opinion. We need more pics of the trailer, up close.
How far back from the bunks is the transom on the boat?

Can you take pics of the axle configuration? So we can better help you determine if moving the axle is a good idea or if trading the trailer in on a larger one is a better idea.

Can you take a pic of the bow ( where it would hit, if left too low, where the tounge Y's into the axle supports)?

 

[mpdcam]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

I'll get you some more pics tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[NathanY]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Is that the trailer that came with that boat? It looks way to short. All the back of the boat where the motor sits inside is unsupported underneath the boat. Seems like that would not be good for the hull, but I don't know that for sure, I know I wouldn't be comfortable with it.

 

[mpdcam]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Ok, here are a couple of closeup pics I took.

The first is of the bow of the boat. It comes very close to the max it can slide forward.



The next is of the stern overhang.



The final is of the axles mounting to the frame.



Hope these help. If I move the bunks in towards the middle of the boat, It might raise it up enough to allowit to slide forward some more, allowing the transom to sit on the bunk. That coupled wit sliding the axles rearward, I'm hoping this would help. Any thoughts?

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Honestly, I wouldnt raise the bunks. It will raise the center of gravity and make it "tippy". I just think you need a bit longer trailer. But I am no expert, so if you can find a trailer place near you, I would go and have them take a look. They can tell you what you can do safely and legally. I have 3 within a couple miles of me, so when I had this issue I just dragged the whole rig up there.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Don't move the axles. They are in the right location for the size of trailer you have.
The boat, I believe, is too long for the trailer. Which, again just my opinion, should be replaced with a longer trailer.
This ain't no tinny your messing with, obviously.
Here you need to be mindful of the weight distribution of that heavy boat on a too small trailer.

In my opinion, you need to replace the trailer, with a longer version.

 

[Starman8]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

A fellow boater had a similar issue. This IS NOT advice, but what he did to make it work.

He moved the bow stop(winch post) forward, installed a rubber bowtie(keel roller) at the keel gut area on the trailer, then slightly raised(2") the bunks.

The installed bowtie roller at the bow keel(V) guided and cushioned the loading to the bow roller.

To account for weight distribution on the tongue, he replaced his drop hitch with a shank type(rise) hitch that changes the coupler 4" higher.

By the way, if the boat is misfitted currently, then the weight distribution has been wrong also.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

It doesn't look like you need to get it that much farther up the trailer. Once the transom is fully supported by the bunks you are good. Starman8's suggestion about adding a keel roller to the back of the tongue (I think this is what he meant by "keel gut area") is a good idea. Set it just high enough so the boat hits the roller and not the metal when you winch it up further. Winch it up until the transom is over the rear bunks, then check that the front bunks are still helping to support the boat. If they aren't, raise them until they are making good contact again. Once the boat is in position, check the trailer tongue weight and adjust the axle position if necessary.

 

[Starman8]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

The guides say 5-8% tongue weight of the entire package. Looking more closely at the pictures, it appears only the integrated swim platform and bilge area mostly hangs past the bunks, but most of the engine also sits behind the axle. I wouldn't alter axle position and only make the smaller adjustments as mentioned.

 

[mpdcam]

Re: Boat / Trailer fit

Thanks for all the help guys. I moved the winch post forward approx. 5". This allowed the boat to slide forward a little more onto the bunks. I have about half as much hanging past the end of the bunks now. I think with a few more adjustments I should be able to get the boat all the way on the bunks. The roller idea sounds like it might work for me.
Also I've realized that some of the movement I feel at the hitch is the surge brake unit. There is some movement with the coupling due to the surge brake unit. Not much but enough to make me notice when I hit a bump.