Guide post

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I'm curious to know if two guide post on the trailer will help with loading a boat onto the trailer in the water. We are relatively new boaters. I back the trailer down the ramp and the wife will drive the boat onto the trailer. She usually throw me a bow rope and I pull the boat onto the trailer. Once close enought, I winche the boat in. The problem is the boat stern sometimes swing to the right or left and is almost perpendicular to the trailer. I would have to go into deep water to staighten out the boat at the stern end then winche it in. <br /><br />I'm just curious to know if the guide post purpose to prevent the boat's stern from swinging and helping the boat onto the trailer. Thus, it would solve our problem. Or is it's only purpose is to provide the driver with a visual que as how to center the boat onto the trailer. <br /><br />Thanks for your input.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Guide post

I wouldn't want to drive the boat into a guide post, but if you are going slow -SLOW, the post will keep the boat centered over the trailer as it is winched in. They will also keep it centered as the trailer is pulled out of the water, and the boat will settle down onto the trailer.

 

[boater4life]

Re: Guide post

For wider vessels, I find the posts stick out to far and make your load look wider than it actually is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Guide post

I think you might be backed in too far when loading your boat which allows the boat to move all over causing the problem you are experiencing. Nose the boat into the trailer and power up far enough to attach the winch strap. Then winch it on. This process works whether you have a roller or bunk style trailer.

 

[kozman01]

Re: Guide post

These things save my butt each time I'm out. I seem to have a problem loading my boat like I have a problem landing a plane. Needless to say, I don't land planes anymore I like being able to line it up and drive it on while the guides center the boat. Mine are the PVC tubes. I have them about 2 inches wider that the widest part of the beam and it works great everytime no matter what the wind conditions. Best 60-70 bucks I've spent. Just my 2 cents.

 

[harrisg]

Re: Guide post

All I can say is that it's made a heck of a difference in loading my boat. Now, even if the stern goes to one side or the other when pulling on the bow line, the guides straighten the boat and is much easier to get on the trailer. However, I don't drive my boat on, I pull it. I guess it depends on how good the driver is to put it on the trailer without wiping out a guide.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Guide post

These are about Gen XXI or something,.......<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />They're actually 3 pc.s...... The top pc. is 2" aluminum conduit,.. With a 90* handrail Elbow welded to the Top,+ a Flat plate welded to that for the lights,........<br />If you look closely,... You can see just behind the post, the Rubrail has a Pretty Good Dent in it,...... A Flat Topped guide actually Lifted the boat Off the trailer........ That meant it was Time for Another Redesign,.....Gen.#?,.........Add Elbows....<br /><br />The Bottom Mounting pc. is a Flexable pc. of Aluminum Angle,... There's a Smaller pc. of Aluminum pipe welded,+ gusseted to it,......<br />The Aluminum Angle is only Zip-Screwed to the Sides of the trailer frame tubes,..... This allows a Good Flexing action,.........<br />The Larger pipe is Gloved to the lower mount with the pc. of 2,1/2" Plastic conduit,..... If there's Any contact with the Hull,... It's at the Plastic portion of the guide,.. Or at the Rubrail of course..............<br /><br />Down at the Bottom,.... You can see the Suspension System,...............<br />2 Bungee Straps on each side keep a Nice Constant Pressure against the Hull,.........<br /><br />I Tried using Shorter Guides back a Few Gen.s ago,......<br />The ramps that I use are from Pretty Steep,... To Cliff Hangers,.............. <br />With a Guide Any Shorter than what's There Now,...... The boat would Drift over the Guides,+ Nearly Tip Over when I pulled Up the launch...........<br />It doesn't help when I'm the kind of guy who Floats his boat to Within a Ft. of the Winch,.........

 

[jtexas]

Re: Guide post

yes, they help! they'll keep a boat from drifting off a trailer.<br /><br />Also if you put the taillights up on the guide-ons you don't have to worry about unplugging 'em to launch or load.<br /><br />I also second upinsmoke's advice - try loading it a bit shallower each time until you find the optimum depth, and remember how much of the trailer is underwater.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Guide post

I made a set that would help me guide my ole '21 heavy arse celebrity in... Welded on 1/4 x 3"" Angle iron to the trailer, then atached a bunk at the top. Loading in the current of the river, it help out emensly having something to catch the rear from drifting away.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Guide post

here's a picture:<br />

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Guide post

That's a funky pic Noel. It doesn't look like the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle....yet it doesn't appear that the trailer wheel jack is down either....hmmmmmm....how'd ya get it to balance like that?

 

[salty87]

Re: Guide post

i wouldn't go without guides. my trailer had some but were too short so i made them a bit longer. then i wrapped em in carpet, lasted 5 years so far. the top sections are flexible pvc so they act as shock absorbers. the bow just settles right into place and the stern goes nowhere.<br /><br />

 

[Pony]

Re: Guide post

<br /><br /><br />1 inch pipe, with welded bracket for lights.

 

[Rip5]

Re: Guide post

waterboy007, errrr I mean nightvision, they are made to guide you on the trailer only, they can be a big help in centering the boat.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Guide post

If you look, the touge is rusted the exact same color as the dirt behind it.<br /><br />or..... magic up hill balance technique <br /><br />

Originally posted by Dave Abrahamson:<br /> That's a funky pic Noel. It doesn't look like the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle....yet it doesn't appear that the trailer wheel jack is down either....hmmmmmm....how'd ya get it to balance like that?

 

[NBE]

Re: Guide post

I've had trailers with them and without them and I will definitely have them on any trailer I own in the future. I think they help a lot regardless if you drive the boat on or simply pull it on the trailer. Especially when there is a good crosswind or current that will make the back end of the boat want to go sideways.<br /><br />I say put them on! If only to mount your lights on them to get the lights out of the water.

 

[rascal38]

Re: Guide post

These guides really make loading a lot easier. Particularly nice when there's any kind of wind. I wouldn't be without them.

 

[phantoms]

Re: Guide post

Most will not cure all in a heavy current, but they will help. It also makes it easier to see where the trailer is when you have the two guides sticking out of the water. <br /><br />I have LED trailer lights on my trailer and they are mounted in the lower frame. If I had regular lights, I'd mount them on the guide posts. But as it is, with the waterproof LEDs and not having to unhook them when submerged, it makes for two glowing RED lights in the water to help load at night.