How do I get that last inch?

[guy48065]

It was windy.
My wife is little or no help.
I don't have loading guides on the trailer.
Frankly I just wanted to get the hell out of there and get home to the important business of winterizing a sterndrive (for the 1st time).

I thought I could pull it that last bit with the winch. No.
Tap of the brakes? No.

 

[roscoe]

How big, heavy, is this boat?

Bunk trailer?

You should be able to winch it forward.
The only problem I see is that the strap is pulling slightly downward.
Try raising the winch post if you can, so the strap is level, or pulling the hull slightly upward.

 

[dingbat]

Had the same predicament last Spring while fitting my boat to a new trailer.

Spray the bunks down with a hose and use the winch.

 

[Stinnett21]

I had a boat that would most always do that. I could never figure out why. I think it just has to do with the geometry of the bunks vs everything else. Ended up just living with it. It was a custom trailer welded. Nothing was adjustable.

 

[redneck joe]

First, raise winch on the pole. The force as set is pulling the bow harder on the trailer the closer it gets to the bow stop becuase it is too low. The strap needs to completely clear the bow stop and best to be pulling ever so slightly upwards.

Spray bunks or get bunk sticks if still needed, warning to never back in without safety chain on.

Hit the brakes harder or when pointed downhill.

 

[redneck joe]

The internet will tell you your current set up keeps bow from bouncing which if you can get all the way to the stop. I solve that problem with a 5 buck tie down straps from harbor freight. Winch tight, bow eye to tongue with strap. Dad taught me that back in the 60s.

 

[Horigan]

Leave till next season.

 

[airshot]

OR....lower the winch to get a straight pull under the bow stop, if you can't pull that last bit, you need a more powerful winch ! Consider getting a two speed winch, that low gear is perfect for a situation like yours. I bought on a few years back....will never have a single speed again. Be sure your winch is rated for far more than your boat weight. Over kill can make things easier !

 

[Lou C]

I think with a single bump stop it should be above the bow eye so it doesn't catch when launching the boat
I would raise the winch to try to get the strap level.

 

[Jeff J]

The only time I ever attempted to fix a situation like that using the winch alone, I bent the winch post so that wouldn’t be my first choice.

I often run into the same situation when loading on steeper ramps. Winch the boat up tight and as the stern settles onto the trailer the winch strap becomes loose. Pontoon boats are the worst. They settle in away from the stops even on shallow ramps.

I would leave it alone as long as the stern is properly supported.

The winch already appears to be above the eye to me.

 

[jimmbo]

P*ss Poor Winch Stand design. Geometry all wrong

 

[redneck joe]

OR....lower the winch to get a straight pull under the bow stop, if you can't pull that last bit, you need a more powerful winch ! Consider getting a two speed winch, that low gear is perfect for a situation like yours. I bought on a few years back....will never have a single speed again. Be sure your winch is rated for far more than your boat weight. Over kill can make things easier !

I'd prefer to have the eye below the stop as an extra stop if needed. Too low and it will help launch in a sudden stop and stern straps won't help that.

 

[redneck joe]

P*ss Poor Winch Stand design. Geometry all wrong

You get that from seeing about an eighth of the whole thing?

 

[redneck joe]

The only time I ever attempted to fix a situation like that using the winch alone, I bent the winch post so that wouldn’t be my first choice.

I often run into the same situation when loading on steeper ramps. Winch the boat up tight and as the stern settles onto the trailer the winch strap becomes loose. Pontoon boats are the worst. They settle in away from the stops even on shallow ramps.

I would leave it alone as long as the stern is properly supported.

The winch already appears to be above the eye to me.

I can imagine that, on any trailer I've ever owed. And I would not leave alone, needs to be properly secured.

 

[Jeff J]

He’s already towed it home for the winter. What harm is there in leaving it now if it is properly supported by the bunks? Not to mention it can be secured by other methods as someone else already suggested.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

He’s already towed it home for the winter. What harm is there in leaving it now if it is properly supported by the bunks? Not to mention it can be secured by other methods as someone else already suggested.

It's a good time to fix the issue before he forgets about it over winter.

They eye needs to be against the roller. It's the only thing to keep the boat from starting to move forward in the event of a crash. The other straps and chain would have to stop it after it's already moving.

 

[Jeff J]

I’m not saying it’s good like it is. The hazards of what can happen during a crash are serious. Just not much can happen to it now and the options to fix are limited.

The easiest fix IF the trailer will support it is to move the stop against the boat then return it to it’s original position after unloading the boat.

Since the winch won’t drag it forward, the only other options are to lift the boat and roll the trailer back or float the boat. Lifting the boat is not an overly complicated task but not many people have the means to do it in their garage and if he is going to float it into position he might as well wait until spring.

While a crash is always possible it is not very likely. I think he would have a better chance of getting run over on the lake than have a crash on the way there.

 

[airshot]

I'd prefer to have the eye below the stop as an extra stop if needed. Too low and it will help launch in a sudden stop and stern straps won't help that.

Unless I am missing something, the stop is above the eye, just the winch strap is pulling on the bottom of the stop and creates drag. By lowering the winch, he would get a straighter pull, stop the drag on the stop, and end up with the preferred method of having the bow eye under the stop. Do donate it needs a safety chain in case of an accident ! My guess is he needs a bigger winch as well.

 

[redneck joe]

Unless I am missing something, the stop is above the eye, just the winch strap is pulling on the bottom of the stop and creates drag. By lowering the winch, he would get a straighter pull, stop the drag on the stop, and end up with the preferred method of having the bow eye under the stop. Do donate it needs a safety chain in case of an accident ! My guess is he needs a bigger winch as well.

Sorry my dixelia gets to me especially on the weekends with some wine. I will clarify another day but winch needs to be raised and the eye needs to be below the stop.

 

[jimmbo]

You get that from seeing about an eighth of the whole thing?

I had a dealer rig a Trailer up like that, where the Strap was aimed down and under the Bow Stop. The Trailer I had, did have a lot of Adjustability, I was able to change the Angle of the Stand so the Winch Cable came off the Drum and was lined up with the Bow Eye, and was Parallel to the Trailer Frame. That way, I wasn't trying to Lift the Bow, or push it Down. The Bow Stop was just above the Bow Eye.
My next Boat, I gave the Rigger Explicate instructions how I wanted the Winch Stand and Bow Eye Configured.
I might be Wrong, but looking what was in the Pic, I get the Impression there isn't much Adjustability in that Winch Stand