Bow roller position wrong

[ranger481vs]

New-to-me boat. PO kept it in a boathouse, so trailer never got used. It does not appear that the position of the bow roller bracket is set up correctly. I tighten it as much as I can, but then the strap hook gets in the way of the bow roller. Seem like the bracket should be higher. Strange because this is the original trailer. Is there a good way to solve this, maybe with some type of extension bracket?

 

[gm280]

Well it is and isn't wrong.

The best setup is with the bow stop to be higher then the bow eye hook bracket. That way if you are ever in an accident or have to stop very quickly for any reason, the bow stop helps to keep the boat from launching into the vehicle. So in that respect it is correct. But the wench strap isn't looking correct. Seem that your present setup would end up cutting the strap because of the angle it is routed to the bow eye. Usually you would like the wench strap to be straight to the bow eye hook. So I would say that the angle of the wench tower should be angled more to fix all those issues.I would also install a chain or strap as a second safety issue from a solidly mounted area on the wench bracket that you clip on the bow eye when traveling as well. But that is just me. I am sure others will chine in and offer their opinions...

 

[Fed]

Seem like the bracket should be higher.

I agree a little higher would be better, can you lower the boat an inch?

 

[ranger481vs]

Well it is and isn't wrong.

The best setup is with the bow stop to be higher then the bow eye hook bracket. That way if you are ever in an accident or have to stop very quickly for any reason, the bow stop helps to keep the boat from launching into the vehicle. So in that respect it is correct. But the wench strap isn't looking correct. Seem that your present setup would end up cutting the strap because of the angle it is routed to the bow eye. Usually you would like the wench strap to be straight to the bow eye hook. So I would say that the angle of the wench tower should be angled more to fix all those issues.I would also install a chain or strap as a second safety issue from a solidly mounted area on the wench bracket that you clip on the bow eye when traveling as well. But that is just me. I am sure others will chine in and offer their opinions...

Thanks! Maybe cutting the bracket off the tower, grinding away a bit of the edges of the tower to change the angle, and then welding it back together could work. Not a welder, but I can find one, unless there's a simpler way.

And yes, chain is on my "to buy" list too.

 

[ranger481vs]

I agree a little higher would be better, can you lower the boat an inch?

The bunk brackets are all welded and not adjustable.

 

[gm280]

That sound like exactly how I'd fix that myself. Make that angle so the strap from the wench, is straight to the bow eye hook bracket. Then the bow stop should be higher then that strap, perfect. And the chain is a great idea as well... :thumb::thumb:

And happy safe boating!

 

[Fed]

Is it causing you any problems, it looks like it would still pull up tight just fine.

 

[ranger481vs]

No, unfortunately the strap hook bends underneath the roller, so I can only get it within 1.5 inches

 

[roscoe]

How about if you reverse the strap on the winch, so it comes off the bottom of the winch spool ? ?
Or if that can't be done, turn the entire winch around.


Perhaps it would fit better with a bow stop, instead of a roller.
It doesn't roll, and only one small spot ever touches the hull.

Might give you a better angle for the straps there is very little material below the mounting hole.

 

[Horigan]

It should be off the bottom of the spool anyway so it reduces the torque applied to the winch mounting hardware.

 

[gm280]

Well whatever setup you choose, make sure the strap isn't angled against any metal. Otherwise, it will cut through and that makes for a bad day!

 

[ranger481vs]

Thanks for the ideas. I will look into the bow stop. If that doesn’t work, will plan to remove the bracket and weld it back on in higher position.

 

[ranger481vs]

I’m wondering if a dual bow roller could work, similar to this image. Not sure how to size one to my boat quite yet, but seems like it could be a good solution.

 

[ranger481vs]

So, the dual bow roller above might work, but even simpler might be bolting on a fabricated bracket to the original bracket, like this drawing I made below. This just allows the existing roller to be raised an inch. I'd cut them out of heavy iron stock, that's equivalant to the original bracket. Thoughts?

 

[JimS123]

The trailer isn't properly matched to the boat. Most winch (not wench) posts are adjustable. The roller and winch need to be moved up. If that's not possible, you need a new winch stand.

The winch cable (or line or strap) need to pull even with or slightly above the boat's bow roller. That way the boat will load easy.

Whatever you do don't change the strap to pull off the bottom. Winches are designed to pull off the top. Regardless, that will lower the angle of pull even more, and thus violate the rule above.

 

[gm280]

"The winch cable (or line or strap) need to pull even with or slightly above the boat's bow roller. That way the boat will load easy."

Not wanting to create any turmoil, but you never ever want the winch cable. rope, strap above the bow stop or roller mounted on the winch tower. And the reason for that is the boat's bow eye has to be below the roller or bow stop on the winch tower so that IF you have to stop quickly or even in an accident. the boat's bow eye hangs up against the winch tower bow stop or roller as an added safety precaution to help keep the boat on the trailer and no in the tow vehicle.

I would buy a "V" shaped bow stop mount, as pictured in roscoe comment, and install it on the winch tower and then have the strap go UNDER that stop to the boat's bow eye hookup. That is the perfect way to setup it up and how most boaters are setup. JMHO!

 

[JimS123]

"The winch cable (or line or strap) need to pull even with or slightly above the boat's bow roller. That way the boat will load easy."

Not wanting to create any turmoil, but you never ever want the winch cable. rope, strap above the bow stop or roller mounted on the winch tower. And the reason for that is the boat's bow eye has to be below the roller or bow stop on the winch tower so that IF you have to stop quickly or even in an accident. the boat's bow eye hangs up against the winch tower bow stop or roller as an added safety precaution to help keep the boat on the trailer and no in the tow vehicle.

I would buy a "V" shaped bow stop mount, as pictured in roscoe comment, and install it on the winch tower and then have the strap go UNDER that stop to the boat's bow eye hookup. That is the perfect way to setup it up and how most boaters are setup. JMHO!

(Oops - must have been late in the evening - too many old wenches and talk about rollers....LOL.)

What I MEANT to say was that the "winch strap needs to pull even with or slightly above the boat's bow EYE".

Actually boats don't even have a bow roller. The trailer has the roller. Sorry for the confusion. GM280 is right about the trailer's bow roller position.

 

[emoney]

I add a 3rd to Roscoe's suggestion; try one of those "V" shaped bowstops. Don't need a roller on that particular set up. And then I also agree that re-spooling your strap to where it feeds from the bottom of the roll rather than the top will help a smidge too. That's a simple as pulling it all the way out and rewinding it in the opposite direction that you normally too. Between those two, I bet your problem is solved.

 

[Fed]

Are you relatively new to boats & trailers Ranger?

Although not quite perfect it still looks like you should be able to crank it that last little bit without overloading it to me.

Edit: I'd stick with the roller and with the winch pulling from the top as it should.

 

[ranger481vs]

Not new to boats, but new to a winch tower not being set up correctly. Even though it looks like I could get the boat closer, I can't because the strap hook gets caught up in the roller.

I will change the orientation of the strap along with a v-stop to see if it works.