*UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

[BigPoppaG]

I was looking to purchase this for the boat to help the family when they are loading it on the trailer. Which one do you guys recommmend. Price difference is $5.00 between them. Just looking to make a good purchase.<br />THANKS! <br /><br /> Roll on OR Bunk Style

 

[Silvertip]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

I've had both and really prefer a roller trailer. Others will certainly have their opinion. What you do not want is what's called a roller-bunk. This is a bunk style trailer with a straight row of rigidly mounted rollers. The rollers on this style do not adjust to the hull shape and therefore creates stress points along the hull due to uneven weight distribution.

 

[jtexas]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

I think the roller-style guide-on will be easier on the hull.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

I was king of going back and forth between the two. Your thinking that a roller is lett stressfull on the hull? Just an assumption is that sometimes if you haven't been boating in a while that trailer tends to stick to the bottom bunks until it is wet. Same think could happen to the bunk guide?

 

[jtexas]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

I have a old bunk trailer with side bunks plus guide-ons behind 'em made of some kind of metal pipe. The guide-ons don't have any rollers on 'em, though and it makes a horrible screeching noise when the rubrail rubs against 'em.<br /><br />The guide-ons do help center the boat on the trailer, especially in a cross wind. I don't think bunks would stick necessarily, just that rollers there would help things along with less chance of scratching or denting.<br /><br />My tail lights are mounted high on the guide-ons, by the way, which is very handy at night, and I never have to worry about unplugging them.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

This may be wrong but I was under the impression that you could only use rollers only on certain hulls. I wanted to change my bunks to rollers on a Regal 1900LSR and was told it could damage the hull.<br /> <br />As I said this may be incorrect, but worth checking depending on the type and weight of the boat

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Chris good questions. I'm talking about the guide on roller for the sides of the boat not the bottom. Is this what your are referring to? I want to clarify so that there is no misunderstanding on the subject. Don't think guide rollers on the side could cause damage to the hull. They aren't resting on them they are just being guided to make sure the boat loads straight. I have a brother in law who is not comfortable loading the boat so I thought I would make it fool proof.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Had to chuckle when you said "make it fool proof". No such animal when it comes to loading a boat. Some folks are just better at it than others. For great entertainment, take a lawn chair and a six pack to a ramp on a holiday weekend and watch the amatuers launch/load their boat. Side guides are helpful if you need to load your boat with a side current such as on a river. Most folks that have a difficult time loading tend to get the trailer into the water too far. A roller trailer needs to be backed in until the rear tips of the fenders just touch the water. Nose the boat to the trailer until the bow hits the keel roller. Straighten the boat by turning right or left slightly, then very slowly increase throttle to allow the boat to load itself. Winch it the rest of the way if you didn't get all the way up to the bow stop. Bunk trailers may need to be in just a touch deeper since there is more hull friction from the bunks. Making a dash to get on the trailer works for some folks but can result in disaster.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Big Poppa G,<br /><br />Sorry my mistake, I was talking about converting the bunks to rollers like say a RIB has. I have never used guide rollers just make sure the trailer is not to far into the water and drive the boat on. With bunks bursts of throttle take me right upto the front without using a winch or anything. Upinsmoke explanation works for me everytime.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Ya make it sound so easy. I never have a problem loading it but I'd like someone else to learn how and last time took FOREVER! LOL We are on the James River and it can be a little tricky sometimes. Hence the question. As you said I have sat back and watched people load and unload and I have to say it scares me. Ther ought to be a class .

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Originally posted by Chris Myers:<br /> Big Poppa G,<br /><br />Sorry my mistake, I was talking about converting the bunks to rollers like say a RIB has. I have never used guide rollers just make sure the trailer is not to far into the water and drive the boat on. With bunks bursts of throttle take me right upto the front without using a winch or anything. Upinsmoke explanation works for me everytime.

Gotcha. I thought thats what you were talking about. Just wanted to make sure.

 

[jtexas]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

At the risk of shooting a dead horse, I can clarify a little what I meant: you encounter different conditions like water levels, slope of different ramps, etc and if you get the trailer a little deeper than normal in the water, then those bunks might contact the hull below the rubrail. Or if it's a little shallower the boat might go up under 'em. Probly won't cause any damage, but with the upright ones, first contact will be on the rub rail every time, then no friction as they push the boat to the middle of the trailer. Then if your BIL gets it a little deeper than it needs to be he don't have to worry about it floating off the trailer before he pulls it out.

 

[BillP]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Ditto on what jtexas sez. I have short on one boat trailer and long on another. Longer guides that hit the rub rail take the worry out of deep launching. Short ones don't do squat if the ramp is too steep.

 

[kesso]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

If you want to make loading the boat easy for others or just to make it a one-person operation. I recommend purchasing a RETRIEVER-MATE.<br /><br />I've used the roller guide-ons you are discussing; however they just dont measure up against a retriever-mate.<br /><br />I'm sure you guys have them in the USA. Here is a link: <br /> http://www.glascraft.com.au/marine/showitem.php?itemCat=4

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Let's see a $360.00 to $460.00 dollar cost compared to a $65.00 - $69.00 HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Sorry mate the boat is bleeding me dry as it is. LOL unless of course you are buying.

 

[BillP]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

I welded 1-5/8" unistrut guides on the trailer at the stern to fit the boat. Then put fire hose over to keep chafe down. They still center the boat at deep water ramps. The trailer has center rollers with side bunks so retrieval is easy. The bolt on guides type work just as well but cost more. Here's a pic...not the best but the only one on hand. <br /><br /><br />

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Wish I cold weld.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Just looks like one more object to crash into to me

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

When you mount these things,Should they touch the boat or be off of it a little? I was thinking about a inch on each side. The boat should still load pretty easy.

 

[kesso]

Re: *UPDATE PICS* Roller Guide-on OR Bunk Style Board Guide-On

Suit yourself. Right tool for the right job. Im sure the family and other ramp users will thank you plently when its still taking an excessive amount of time to get that thing on the trailer.