Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

[hurrro]

I bought a 2003 Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk with a 2008 Custom Ez Loader trailer. The bunks and the back crossbar extend about a foot and a half beyond the bunks (see photos). Pretty much everything is welded on the trailer, except for the winch post. I could move this to the rear, but the frame only allows about 2" of movement. The tongue weight is a little heavy, about 200#, so the boat could go back some (I think I figured about a 150#for tongue weight. Boat is about 2000# wet or loaded). I talked to EZ loader and they told me that the trailer model CRL17F is made for a 1650 or 1750 Fish Hawk. He didn't have any suggestions for me. Is there any kind of a winch post extender or could this be modified to prevent the boat from coming forward top far. Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks!!

P.S. Biggest problem I have is the lower unit sticks out too far and won't fit in the garage properly.

 

[allingeneral]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

I'd say 200# tongue weight is about right for that rig, so leave the winch post where it is.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

I'd say 200# tongue weight is about right for that rig, so leave the winch post where it is.

Ayuh,... I agree, 10% is as Light as ya wanta get....

Is the axle adjustable,..?? Can it be slid back,..??

If so, you'll still need a winch post extension...

It IS pretty poor fitting...

 

[roscozen]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

If your main concern is fitting it in the garage, google " Fulton Foldaway ".
With this installed you can fold the entire front part of the trailer against itself and gain lots more room.
Here's a pic of mine.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Welcome to iboats!

You've got the wrong trailer, from the looks of it. The transom should be just about even with the rear of the bunks, and that doesn't appear to be possible.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Simple! And Cheap! After you get home, loosen the winch and push the boat back on the trailer before backing into the garage. With the boat setting back, the engine can now be lowered far enough to clear.

No worries about changing tongue weight or axle position. A little more fuss when garaging and you need to remember to pull the boat forward when leaving for the water, but you also need to remember to put in the drain plug. I have one hull and engine combo that I need to raise the engine at the entrance to the garage, then two more feet and I need to lower it to clear the ceiling and opposite to pull it out.--yeah, a little fuss, but it sure beats buying another trailer.

At least, that's what I would try before investing money.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

As said before wrong trailer. When you lower the motor will it fit in the garage?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

I'm guessing that the space gained by lowering the motor, will be offset by how far he has to move the boat back to get the motor lowered.

Trailer looks like it is for a 1750-1850 Fish Hawk.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Yet another that would have to agree that the trailer does not fit the boat. Too Long! Trailer and boat look balanced in the pictures by the position of the axle and for a BUNK trailer there shouldn't be that much extending past the transom. Then if you relocate the axle then you will need to find a way to extend/repositon the winch post.

I would really question the trailer sales/manf. about that model as I can't see how that was designed for that hull, if it was it was completely set up wrong. I know I wouldn't be happy with that setup.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Welcome to iboats!

You've got the wrong trailer, from the looks of it. The transom should be just about even with the rear of the bunks, and that doesn't appear to be possible.

As NY and others have said, that trailer is for a "much" bigger boat. I think I understand what you are trying to do, but it's going to be difficult, since your trailer is WAY to big for your boat. I'd consider trading that trailer for one that actually fits your boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Whoever packaged this rig did you a nasty disservice. I'm being kind when I say this setup is very unprofessional and if EZ Loader told you this was the right trailer, the rep needs to be flogged. That trailer as others have pointed out is very wrong for that boat. Think about the many boats and trailers you've seen. Have you ever seen one that you could not lower the engine without hitting the rear cross member. Yes, some will hit the ground first, but that's beside the point. On any trailer, the tip of the bunk should be flush or just an inch beyond the transom. The The winch post is already pushed nearly to the "Y" in the frame so it can't be moved. If the rig weighs 2000# you have the correct tongue weight at 150#. Even at 200# it would still be correct. Did you buy this from a private party or a dealer? If a dealer set this up, NEVER buy from them again as they obviously have no clue.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

I'm thinking you really should not have too much trouble finding a dealership (or even private party) to trade trailers with. Your situation (trailer too big for boat) is unusual; usually you'll find used boat dealers trying to pawn off rigs where the boat is way too big for the trailer!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

its dangerous to have the boat in front of the rear bunk supports, I'd never personally EVER tow a boat like that. Why you ask? Take a 2x4 that has seen lots of water and is covered with carpet, possibly starting to rot, and lay it between two blocks. Now jump on it. Now keep in mind your boat is quite a bit heavier than you, and bumps in the road are far stronger than you jumping!

2x4's aren't meant to hold weight when laying flat, and since the heaviest part of your boat (transom) is only supported by a span of 2x4, that is what you are asking it to do. With a properly fitting trailer the weight of the transom isn't supported by the 2x4, but by the bracket under the bunk. If its set up right the bunk board could actually break in the middle and there wouldn't be any issues. (I've actually loaded and trailered boats with a broken bunk) A broken bunk on that boat is going to be disasterous.

Doesn't mean you can't make it fit... Slide the boat back to where it should be, move the winch post, and then finally move the axle to get your tongue weight on.

 

[hurrro]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

I tend to agree with most of you - that it's a terrible mismatch, maybe the wrong model number decal was put on the trailer when it was manufactured. I bought from a private party and got a good deal thinking that I would just adjust it. I didn't think that a dealer might exchange trailers - hopefully without too much to boot!

Thanks!!!

 

[hurrro]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Ayuh,... I agree, 10% is as Light as ya wanta get....

Is the axle adjustable,..?? Can it be slid back,..??

If so, you'll still need a winch post extension...

It IS pretty poor fitting...

Nope . . . axles, fenders are all welded.

 

[hurrro]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Already has the "fold-away" feature. One side or stall of my garage is a 2 car inline stall. Now one of the stalls are available (daughter left the nest), so I put the boat in first, then the car behind it. This trailer is also much wider than it should be for the boat. It's a tight squeeze regardless. I think I will check on a trade. Adding on to the garage is not an option, even though they can never be too big!!! Thanks again for all the help and suggestions. I'm just a small boater from MN hoping to retire this year and spend some time back on the lake again.

 

[windy5849]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

If all the other options fail,you could have a welding shop remove 18 inches from the side rails and reweld the rear cross member at the correct position.Then you would have to shorten the bunks and remount them to the new bracket location.

 

[hurrro]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

If all the other options fail,you could have a welding shop remove 18 inches from the side rails and reweld the rear cross member at the correct position.Then you would have to shorten the bunks and remount them to the new bracket location.

Great idea . . . wouldn't help with the width, but I could live with that. Thanks!

 

[hurrro]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Well I solved the problem a long time ago, but forgot to tell everyone the solution. First I slid the boat stern back even with the rails. Then put the bow mount trolling motor on with battery and spare tire. Tested the tongue weight which felt more than adequate. I took the front winch post u-bolts out, because I was going to fabricate a prototype out of wood, to extend the winch back to the hull. Then I would bring the prototype into the welding shop to fabricate it. Immediately after removing the safety cable, which secured one end of the safety cable to the trailer, I realized that this bolt not only held the cable secure, but allowed vertical adjustment of the post (there is an inner post with a sliding outer post held to correct adjustment by the bolt). Had the outer post been adjusted up a little this separation would have been evident, but the way it was adjusted it looked like it was welded together. I slid the outer winch post up, which helped a little, but the real answer was that this 2-piece angled assembly allowed me to turn the base of the post 180 degrees. This reverse angle made alignment simple - end of story. Thanks to all who helped in suggesting ideas. Sometimes the simplest answer is the hardest to see.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Bunks extend 1.5' beyond stern

Glad it worked out for you. Now have fun!