I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opinion

[b.gagnon]

I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opinions!<br />I have a 16' aluminum Sea Nymph fish and ski with a 70hp outboard. The keel on this boat has an extremely shallow angle that seems to not fit in the rollers all that well. The trailer has 5" keel rollers going up the middle of the trailer with bunks for extra support. The keel does rest on the rollers. I have tried backing the trailer in at many different levels, and at some it is better, but never easy. With ideal conditions it goes on with much less effort.<br />Some problems I am having are:<br />1: I boat often in rivers with fast moving current and at times it can be impossible to get it on the trailer correctly.<br />2: It is a total pain to keep the front of the boat aligned with the first roller only being 5', and that boat easily falls off it at times.<br /><br />1: Do you prefer roller guides or side bunk guides? <br />2: Does anyone have any experience with the $50 electric winch sold at walmart made by Master Lock?<br />3: Is it worth buying those Teflon strips that go on the bunks?<br />4: I am thinking of installing a 12" roller first to help guide the boat. <br />5: Is there anything else you can think of that would make trailering more enjoyable?

 

[brine]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Sounds like side guides are the way to go for your difficult river loading. The padded side guide "bunks" will keep you within an inch of center. <br /><br />For really tough cases I've seen another set of side guides closer to the bow. The boat really has no choice but to come in straight. <br /><br /> The big problem we have is un-level ramps where one side is way higher and makes boat contact first and this shoves the boat off center.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Same here. Many of the ramps are un-paved.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

I use my boat in both rivers and lakes and if you notice, a couple of things in this pic may be of interest to you;<br /><br />

<br /><br />First is the rear roller, it’s about 12 inches long but has a groove cut into it from the outside in, it’s a reverse type thread and as it turns it keeps the keel centered.<br />Second is the upright rollers at the back on both sides they keep the boat from drifting off the trailer in strong currents and also help locate the rear correctly.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

I don't have experience with the winch you mentioned, but I know that they're usually very slow in cranking in the line. That might be more hassle than help when you're wrestling with the boat.<br /><br />I've read a few posts on the teflon strips recently and the guys who have them really like them. The ones I saw recently were only about 3/4 inch wide which caused me concern that the weight of the boat would be carried by a small portion of the hull. Apparently they sell much wider strips made of the same material, which would resolve those concerns. The guys who have them caution that you shouldn't untie the boat until ready to launch as it will slide off very easily. <br /><br />The wide center roller like Paulie's will really help. I have side rollers that are similar to Paulie, but they don't work so well on my fishing boat because of the shape of the hull. They don't contact the hull to center the boat as it's loaded until it's most of the way onto the trailer. I'm redoing my boat and trailer and probably won't reinstall them. My trailer is a roller style - if it were a bunk trailer and the boat hull were just right I can see how they'd be helpful.

 

[jtexas]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Your description sounds a lot like my trailer. Three keel rollers, it rests on the rollers, two bunks keep it upright.<br /><br />I replaced the front two rollers with these<br />self-centering keel rollers:<br />

<br /><br />It's a 12" roller that happens to be pretty flat, shouldn't be a problem having a shallow angle hull. They center the boat every time.<br /><br />I've also got side bunks. I don't have opportunity to boat where there's current, but I use ramps from time to time with a stiff cross wind - the side bunks keep me from floating off the trailer.<br /><br />I just put the trailer in to where the front roller is almost to the water's surface, ease the boat on until the bunks stop my forward motion, then power it on up. It can start out pretty crooked and still end up perfectly centered.<br /><br />15' fiberglass/70hp - your procedure will vary, but I'd bet money that the side bunks & centering rollers will help out a lot.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Do one upgrade at a time...if one thing fixes your problem, there's no sense in doing all the others.<br /><br />Most significant improvement you can make, in my opinion, is to add side bunks or rollers (both are equally effective) which will center the boat in any type of current/waves/wind. I've never met anyone who doesn't like 'em.<br /><br />I'd try that first.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

i've redone all my trailers (3) with the self centering roller on the stearn, 12 roller in center, and 5ft. roller bunks. i have the side poles about 2 in clearance each side. i just drive them up the trailer, leave it in gear while i walk to the bow, reach over and set the hook. too easy.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

Re: I am looking to upgrade a few features on my trailer and would like some opi

I currently use the "plastic" strips that screw into the carpeted bunk and added keel rollers since mine had none. <br /><br />Also, I extended my side bunks so that the front end is behind the fender forcing the fender to act as a support.<br /><br />Made one heck of a difference in loading.<br /><br />Mark