Converting from keel support??

[74SkeeterHawk]

I have a 1974 Skeeter hawk bass boat. Its a 16 foot on a single axle trailer. My main concern is the trailer is a keel support and my boat, like many, is fiberglass. Im in the middle of a restore and i dont like the way my keel looks from the pressure of the roller. Is there a way I can convert it from a center roller to something else maybe side rollers. Thanks still learning all I can about this new found hobby of mine.

Rob the rookie

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Converting from keel support??

Can you weld? A picture of your boat and trailer might get you some better responses, depending on what you have it could be possible to weld short posts on the underside to attach a set of carpet covered wooden bunks.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Converting from keel support??

If the boat is resting on the keel on rollers, then usually there are carpet coverd side bunks for the boat to rest on. The bunks can be adjusted up to take off some of the load from the keel. I did just this by placing a floor jack under the trailer with a short length of 2x4 up to the bunk, then loosened the bunk brackets and jacked them up a 1/2" and re-tightened the brackets. Now the boat is supported by both the keel rollers, and the side bunks.

If there are not side bunks on the trailer, what is keeping it upright?