Building home made guide post .

[Lake Lizzard]

Re: Building home made guide post .

I do have some galvanized pipe that will fit into the 1.5 " pvc . But it's kinda thin . It's the stuff that they use on those temp boat or car shelters . When I nose in to the trailer the guides are gunna need to bend a little and then straighten back out . Hoping a metal pipe will give a little without kinking .

I would go down to the steel yard and get some thicker steel pipe for these side posts. When the wind is blowing hard someday you're going to want real strong guide posts so they don't fold on you. I've never regretted having strong guide posts. I have regretted having weak guide posts every time.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Building home made guide post .

Hmmm , need to think about how to do that . With the guides tight to the side of the trailer it is in the perfect spot for the boat . Maybe tight u- bolts on the bottom and u-bolts with some springs under washers on the top .

Ayuh,.... Or extra long u-blots all 'round, with Chevy valve springs takin' up the extra space,..??

I used the springyness of the light weight angle iron,....

 

[sphelps]

Re: Building home made guide post .

I think I might try several pieces of rebar shoved in the pvc . Then glue an end cap on the bottom .
Might work ! A little heavy but strong and flexible ..

 

[sphelps]

Re: Building home made guide post .

I think I might try several pieces of rebar shoved in the pvc . Then glue an end cap on the bottom .
Might work ! A little heavy but strong and flexible ..

 

[sphelps]

Re: Building home made guide post .

Here is an update video .

 

[sphelps]

Re: Building home made guide post .

I put 3 pcs of 5/8" rebar with a galv pipe sleeve into the post . I think I could have done without the sleeve.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Building home made guide post .

I just watched the video you posted. It looks like there is enough flex in the support with the rubber washers for the extra with you need for the bow. I guess the real test will be when you launch and retrieve to see how well they flex. If you have a Fastenall near you they may have longer u bolts. I think Bondo's idea with the valve springs may be the next step if what you've got doesn't work. Looks good on the trailer though.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Building home made guide post .

Test launch today . They worked nicely accept with the top u-bolt loose it it move front to back a bit . I think I should weld the angle clips to the trailer to keep it in place . Is it better to have them as far back on the trailer as you can get or closer to the axles ?
They centered the boat up great even with my terrible approach . :facepalm:
Also had an idea . If I weld the clips I can get a long spring . Bend it around the tube and clip it on both sides of the angle . Maybe put the spring in a piece of hose or something . Leave enough space on the retaining nut for movement .

 

[I`mNotMe]

Re: Building home made guide post .

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I've got DIY made guide posts on my boat trailer. They are mounted on an angle to "cradle" the boat into its V holding position. re: As the trailer is pulled out of the water, the boat settles down and is forced into center of trailer. If one mounts the posts in a vertical up/down position, not too sure how the boat's rear is forced into trailer's centre position.

When I load my boat, I do allow it to bump off its guides. Nice and slow (gentle bumps). Thus, my DIY guides don't need to be too strong. To view a boat being loaded with trailer guides, surf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8OIcTj9Tjo#t=23


As a suggestion, mount your DIY guide posts on an angle (to cradle boat into trailer's centre position) and give it a try. For best effect, guides should be closer to rear of boat.

Hope this helps.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Building home made guide post .

Those worked great ! I just wanted to keep anything from rubbing down the sides of the hull . Fearing scuffing my paint after a while .
They roll down the top rub rail and never really touch the paint .