mallardtone-man
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2008
- Messages
- 110
Hey guys I have a 1980 16 foot fiberglass tri hull that I just purchased a new trailer for. The trailer that it is currently on is much too small for it and with the large Motor (125 HP Mercury) on the back and the position of the axle it is much to back heavy and Fish tales at speeds above 60 mph. In order to prevent this I have to add around 200 pounds of weight in the bow of the boat every time I tow it. I just purchased a new trailer that I think you should work with the boat however I am going to have to adjust the bunks and probably move the winch and bow roller Assembly. I just wanted to get the opinions of some of you guys as to whether or not you think this trailer Will handle this boat and if so where should I position the bunks. My first question is, is the trailer Long enough? It is 15' 4" from the tip of the tongue to the back of the frame. This is almost the exact same length of the trailer I already had also the axle is positioned 10 feet from the bow roller, this is also the same. The boat is 16 feet exactly. I am hoping that due to the fact that this trailer is much wider and heavier in the front than the other and has a much wider wheel base and heavier suspension the weight distribution Will be different and I will not have issues towing at high speed. Any thoughts? The axle is welded in place so I don't think it can be moved back any farther at least easily. You may notice that the winch and bow roller are offset to one Side of the tounge. I plan on having this assembly welded to the top of the tongue this will center it and I should be able to move it forward a few inches. I can actually get a couple more if I welded it to the coupling itself, just not sure if this is a good idea.
Part two of my question is providing that this trailer is large enough for the boat how should I position the bunks to best support the weight of the hull? I have included pictures of the way the current trailer is set up as well as the new one. The bunks on my old trailer are positioned much farther apart and rest on the flat spots to the side of the hull. should I position the bunks the new trailer in about the same place or do something more similar to the way they are set up now? I do not believe that they well work in there current position as it does not look to me like the keel Will be able to Touch the rollers. I think at the very least hi will need to widen them out some. The 2 up right guides on the sides are pretty close to being in the right position however I'm not sure if I should have these actually touching the boat or leave an inch or two of clearance on either side. From the looks of things I am almost certainly going to have to tow the boat with the motor trimmed most of the way up and I am not sure if I will be able to use my transom saver. This is the first Power trim Motor I have owned and I am not sure if it is even safe with it in this position can anyone tell me? If it is okay to tow like this I am thinking it may actually help with the weight distribution by moving more weight forward.
please let me know what you guys Think thanks in advance for any help don't know what I would do without you guys
Part two of my question is providing that this trailer is large enough for the boat how should I position the bunks to best support the weight of the hull? I have included pictures of the way the current trailer is set up as well as the new one. The bunks on my old trailer are positioned much farther apart and rest on the flat spots to the side of the hull. should I position the bunks the new trailer in about the same place or do something more similar to the way they are set up now? I do not believe that they well work in there current position as it does not look to me like the keel Will be able to Touch the rollers. I think at the very least hi will need to widen them out some. The 2 up right guides on the sides are pretty close to being in the right position however I'm not sure if I should have these actually touching the boat or leave an inch or two of clearance on either side. From the looks of things I am almost certainly going to have to tow the boat with the motor trimmed most of the way up and I am not sure if I will be able to use my transom saver. This is the first Power trim Motor I have owned and I am not sure if it is even safe with it in this position can anyone tell me? If it is okay to tow like this I am thinking it may actually help with the weight distribution by moving more weight forward.
please let me know what you guys Think thanks in advance for any help don't know what I would do without you guys
