Trailer Question/Advice.

lribbens

Recruit
Joined
Feb 22, 2021
Messages
4
I have a Boston Whaler that is on a custom trailer that was built for the boat. The trailer has bunks in the rear and a plastic "V" that the keel sits on before coming in contact with the front roller near ratchet. There is too much weight on the keel and the fiberglass is damaged. Not terribly but I need to make an adjustment and fix the keel/hull. Any suggestions on how to go about doing this or who I can talk to about this? I can send pictures if that helps.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,196
Boston Whaler's specification for the optimum boat trailer is to have bunks in the back and full keel rollers down the centerline. Full rollers are not approved because they can damage the hull in places other than the keel.

Your "custom" trailer looks more like a rube goldberg setup to me. The PVC pipes should never have been there. In its place should have been a roller. Your bunks are waaaay too short.

No pic here, but I am assuming the damage is because the hull was dragged over the stationary pipe.

Put a self-centering Stoltz keel roller on every crossmember and get rid of the pipe. If the damage is superficial, post pics in the restoration forum and you will get good advice. If the damage is thru the glass and into the structural foam, post it on the Boston Whaler forum and they can help.
 
Last edited:

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,196
Here's a "proper" BW trailer. The bunks are more than half the length of the boat, thus they support the hull with nothing extra needed toward the bow. The center roller (may be hard to see in the pic) is not needed for support, per se', but it keeps the boat guided right down the center and makes loading a breeze.

P6020039web.jpg
 

lribbens

Recruit
Joined
Feb 22, 2021
Messages
4
Boston Whaler's specification for the optimum boat trailer is to have bunks in the back and full keel rollers down the centerline. Full rollers are not approved because they can damage the hull in places other than the keel.

Your "custom" trailer looks more like a rube goldberg setup to me. The PVC pipes should never have been there. In its place should have been a roller. Your bunks are waaaay too short.

No pic here, but I am assuming the damage is because the hull was dragged over the stationary pipe.

Put a self-centering Stoltz keel roller on every crossmember and get rid of the pipe. If the damage is superficial, post pics in the restoration forum and you will get good advice. If the damage is thru the glass and into the structural foam, post it on the Boston Whaler forum and they can help.
No wonder "Ace Trailer" company never emailed me back. Thank you for the advice!!
 

lribbens

Recruit
Joined
Feb 22, 2021
Messages
4
I ordered longer bunks 8' vs. 6' also 2x6 vs 2x4. I also ordered the center roller assembly you mentioned.
 

robert graham

Admiral
Joined
Apr 16, 2009
Messages
6,908
Good looking boat!....the longer, heavier bunks with rollers should spread the load better and prevent hull/ keel damage....hopefully.
 
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