Centering boat on trailer (solo) without trailer guides? or DIY guide advice

[ahicks]

hm. I guess I'm not exactly sure what you mean here by "above." The winch is about right even with the bow eye when the boat is fully on the trailer... the trailer has one of those double bow stop things, and the winch cable runs right through the middle of them:
View attachment 367489

Is this not right? My winch can't actually go up any higher, it's at the top of the post... and I'm not sure my bow eye could go any lower as that would put it under the waterline.

Guidance appreciated, thanks! I'm a real idiot when it comes to trailers, etc

The cable angle shown in the pic is probably fine. I was thinking if the winch were located a little higher, it might help to lift the hull while it's pulling, making it easier to pull. Doesn't look like you have that option though.

That said, I'd scrap those v-blocks in favor of small rollers. That's me though....

 

[briangcc]

The cable angle shown in the pic is probably fine. I was thinking if the winch were located a little higher, it might help to lift the hull while it's pulling, making it easier to pull. Doesn't look like you have that option though.

That said, I'd scrap those v-blocks in favor of small rollers. That's me though....

Sure the OP does. Just takes a bit of imagination and a few simple hand tools. Could be done with a hacksaw and a drill...maybe a couple beers if its hot out.

Unbolt the winch from the post. Insert shim - Homely Despots sells steel stock in varying thicknesses/lengths. Bolt back down.

Easy Peasy.

 

[jimmbo]

I usually don't even back this far in

 

[JimS123]

IMHO, dealers today don't know crap about anything boating other than charging you big bucks for fixing things with their computer. Setting up a trailer is lost art.

Back 54 years ago when I got my first boat I went to the library and learned a lot (remember those old smelly buildings with wallflower ladies?)

Anyway, put a self leveling poly roller on every trailer crossmember. Then, add side guides. Then, back in far enough that the LAST roller is just in the water. That boat will literally retrieve itself, straight in the center every time.

 

[jimmwaller]

Thanks all. I am going to try removing the front bunks and I am looking at adding some keel rollers. I have found a few on crossbars that look like they should work and have some side guides, similar to this kind of thing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384921316596

Thing is, they look like that top tab is supposed to sit on the crossbar and... get bolted down? Is that okay? That would entail drilling into my trailer, which seems like a bad idea. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[JimS123]

Thanks all. I am going to try removing the front bunks and I am looking at adding some keel rollers. I have found a few on crossbars that look like they should work and have some side guides, similar to this kind of thing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384921316596

Thing is, they look like that top tab is supposed to sit on the crossbar and... get bolted down? Is that okay? That would entail drilling into my trailer, which seems like a bad idea. Thoughts?

Thanks!

For keel rollers, only buy the brackets that mount on the SIDE of the crossmembers using U-bolts. These are adjustable, plus no drilling needed. I buy the brackets by themselves, then add poly rollers that are self centering.

Your link is not for side guides. The ones you need are:

Tie Down Engineering Boat Loading Roller Guides

Heavy duty 2" roller with end caps. Length of roller is 9" Roller angle adjusts to angle of hull. One piece adjustable clamp with U-bolt. 16 inches of adjustment, 8" on both sides. Easy mounting, fits all channel and tube frames up to 5 inches. Hot galvanized steel...

www.iboats.com

 

[airshot]

Thanks, all. I must have my trailer set up poorly because it really needs to be backed way, way into the water or else the winch is basically useless. I have the kind of winch with the steel cable, and if the trailer isn't back so far that my feet are in about a foot of water trying to winch it, the boat just doesn't budge. I'm sure I could get it up all the way, but it feels like the cable is about to snap. I'm not a bodybuilder but I'm not a weak human either, and it takes a tremendous amount of effort to get it up onto the bunks unless the trailer is submerged. Maybe I need to rethink my trailer setup or look into rollers.

Might just be a minor change—for example, do I need front bunks? I feel like this is where the resistance is coming from when winching. The idea of having a boat with the bow half of it just hanging off the bunks the with no support seems wrong to me so I added some small front bunks but maybe that was a mistake.

thanks

You might have the same issue that I have....the ramps are to shallow!! If I back in until my rear bumper is at waters edge my last roller at the rear is still out of the water by an inch or two. I typically back most of my vehicle into the water to allow my 16' alumunum boat to float off. This becomes a whole different issue now. At times I need to get most of my Jeep in the water to allow the bow to float over the last roller, then power the boat on. At the other ramp in my area, which is also shallow, they do not allow power loading. Getting it centered is easy....getting the boat on the trailer can be an issue !!

 

[airshot]

I usually don't even back this far in
View attachment 367517

At the ramps by me, the rear wheels of my Jeep would be in the water before my 13" trailer wheels would be covered with water!!

 

[Horigan]

If you don't have one already, you may want to consider a 2-speed winch to make it easier to pull the boat up. We have one for our 21' and my wife does all the trailer work and winching.

 

[airshot]

Thanks all. When you say flat stock, what thickness is acceptable to replicate U bolts?

If it weighs under 1000 lbs the 1/8 or 3/16" flat steel will work but if 2000 lbs then go to 1/4". Going thicker wont hurt anything !!! If you use aluminum flat stock then go at least 1/4" or 3/8" for heavy duty U bolts. If you have a machine shop close by they may have some scraps you could have. Before retiring I worked at a small local machine shop and we were always making little quick odds and ends for the locals, makes better neighbors that way....

 

[airshot]

If you don't have one already, you may want to consider a 2-speed winch to make it easier to pull the boat up. We have one for our 21' and my wife does all the trailer work and winching.

Just added one to my trailer, makes a big difference !!! I got the 2 speed from West Marine, made by Fulton...very nice winch. My shoulders really like the 2 speeds !!