Has anyone installed trailer guides?

[Jimwhall]

I'm thinking of doing it; just wondering how much they help. I was hoping for increased visibility but some of the ones I'm looking at say that you can use them to guide the boat on the trailer. That sounds nice but I'm wondering if it also scratches the hell out of the rub rails as the PVC pipes leave marks?

 

[dingbat]

That sounds nice but I'm wondering if it also scratches the hell out of the rub rails as the PVC pipes leave marks?

I guess it would depend on the rub rail design and quality

My rub rails are “rigid vinyl with an insert. The lower durometer material resists marking, dings and scratches rather well. Certainly not going to be permanently damaged or marked by pvc

Grady White Rubrail

This is where you will find OEM rub rails for Grady White boats and if your profile is not here, please give us a call so we can help you locate it.

www.integritymarinecorp.com

They have rubbed against (I don’t use bumpers) docks, metal pipes, concrete and who knows what else and are none the worst for wear.

Nothing a little scotch-brite and a wipe down with acetone would not cure

 

[FunInDuhSun]

IMO the guides should be tall enough that the tops are at or above the rub rail when retrieving the boat. I made mine and used galvanized pipe and fittings, and covered the uprights with PVC. They help center the hull as it comes on the trailer. No damage to the boat at all.

 

[NHGuy]

I did some carpeted low guides. All they touch is the lower sides of the hull, just in front of the transom.
They are like 1/4 to 3/8" away from the hull when loaded up.
if needed, my wife finesses the stern with a boat hook to put the rear of the hull at the center of the trailer.

 

[2550SX]

How close do you guys position the PVC pipe from the rub rail? I ask because mine are like 4" away on either side and the damn boat always seems to rest on either the starboard or the port PVC leaving 8" on the other side. One bunk will be under the chine almost and the other in between the chines. And yes, if no one else is at the ramp I have been known to back it back in 2 or 3 times to get the boat perfectly centered on the trailer just to satisfy my OCD. I was thinking about moving the PVC pipes them inwards so that they are just kissing the rub rail in hopes for a dead center alignment going forward. I just dont know if there is any risk of making them to close? Possible damage to the rub rail when being towed?

 

[dingbat]

How close do you guys position the PVC pipe from the rub rail? I ask because mine are like 4" away on either side and the damn boat always seems to rest on either the starboard or the port PVC leaving 8" on the other side. One bunk will be under the chine almost and the other in between the chines.

Guessing either your bunks are not setup properly and or the trailer is too deep.

With the bunks setup properly and the trailer at the proper depth, the boat should self center and “run around” 16 to 18” short of the bow stop. With front of boat sitting squarely on the bunks, the rear should be pretty much centered and not moving around.