Pogo Stick

[tahitiwill]

Hello all, I just bought a 1981 Tahiti with a 55hp Chrysler(yes it runs fine ) When I am pulling the trailer and go over a bump(even smaller ones) The boats bow bounces up and down a couble of times. I was doing some testing with the car parked. I think what is happening it that I am getting a slight bit of trailer flex. What I want to do it build a support for the bow so when I go over bumps the trailer and boat act as one unit. Is this a good or bad idea?<br />Thanks<br />Will

 

[Baja18]

Re: Pogo Stick

Your trailer doesn't have a support for the bow already?<br />Where is the winch mounted?

 

[tahitiwill]

Re: Pogo Stick

Yes it has a standard mounted winch but it dosn't provide any support for the bow. It only pulls on the bow hook.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Pogo Stick

There should be a bow stop just to rear of the winch. Then, as you winch it tight, the bow becomes tight against the bow stop. Here's a picture of one at Bass Pro Shop Bow Stop.<br /><br />BL...

 

[JB]

Re: Pogo Stick

Hi Will.<br /><br />Too many people neglect to "tie down" the bow. The winch is not adequate, as it pulls forward, not down and winch ratchets have been known to fail and winch straps or cables break.<br /><br />Get a short length of chain and a turnbuckle with one eye and a hook at a hardware store. Bolt one end of the chain to your trailer frame, the other end to the turnbuckle.<br /><br />When you are ready to travel, replace or add to the winch hook in your bow eye with the turnbuckle hook and tighten the turnbuckle.<br /><br />Similar results can be achieved with a short ratchet type tiedown strap, but not as strong.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Pogo Stick

I do the same as JB on the front tie down when going down the road. <br /><br />I have a pull strap (from WalMart or Home Depot)that I hook one end into the bow eye and then loop the strap underneath the trailer frame and put the other hook into the bow eye. Pull on the strap until tight and then away I go. At the ramp, pull the quick release and off it comes.<br /><br />This stops any front bouncing which is on less thing to worry about when trailering.

 

[tahitiwill]

Re: Pogo Stick

Awsome, thanks for the info, I will be doing the modifications soon.