7000lb boat with no bow eye - Need to trailer

[TBarCYa]

I'm buying a 27' boat that weighs about 7000lbs. It's currently on a bunk trailer that is not properly setup and I need to move her about 45 miles. The boat sits about 2-3' past the end of the bunks and while I can move the bow stop to allow the boat to move forward, there's no winch and no bow eye to hook a winch to.

My first question is how can I get the bow to the bow stop with no winch or bow eye? The nearest ramp is 20 miles away in the wrong direction so floating her on is not an option, plus I don't know for sure that she doesn't take on water.

Second question is assuming I can get the boat to the bow stop, how can I tie it down so I won't lose it on the ride? I'm thinking a pair of straps from the rear cleats or eyes, one over the gunwales as far forward as possible and one from each bow cleat to a point forward on the trailer.

Once she arrives at her destination, I don't anticipate ever trailering her again so this is literally a one-shot deal. If she needs to move over land again, I'll rent or hire a proper trailer for the job.

Thanks.

 

[haulnazz15]

Well, assuming you can lift the tongue of the trailer, you can lower the tongue a bunch and put some jack stands under the transom/hull and then lift the tongue of the trailer back up, which will get the back of the boat in the air. Then, you put another set of jack stands under the bow/keel to support the front and lower the tongue back again, which would leave the boat suspended on jack stands allowing you to push the trailer into a position with the bow further forward. Then reverse the procedure to put the boat back on the trailer bunks.

As for strapping it down, I'd get a strap or chain and secure it to the winch post at a minimum, and the straps over the gunwhales/transom straps, too.

 

[Brian 26]

Admittedly my experience of towing boats ends at about 5,000 lbs.

If it did have a bow eye you wouldn't be able to crank it an inch anyway. It seems to me your only options is to find a fork lift at a marina that is close. Either that or take it down the road as is.

Interesting topic. I'll be checking back to see what others with more experience have to say and how your trip went.

 

[oldjeep]

Install bow eye?

 

[TBarCYa]

I'm not terribly interested in installing a bow eye because it's not going to be trailered often (if at all) and it's old enough that it doesn't need any more places to possibly take on water. Once I get it out of it's current location, I may try to find someone with a forklift that can help reposition it for the ride but I'll definitely be going overboard on strapping it down. I'd hate to lose it before I even get it near the water.

 

[Scott Danforth]

install transom ties, then hit the brakes fast. however if it has transom lifting cleats, it may have had a bow eye at one time.

 

[smokeonthewater]

simple... jack the boat up and back the trailer under it... to tie down use QUALITY 2" ratchet straps over the bow just behind the cleats and over the stern just forward of the cleats. I've hauled 28' twin engine cruisers thousands of miles that way

for jacking, if you don't have access to boat jacks then buy a couple 6x6 boards and cut into blocks with a chainsaw or other saw and pick up the 12 ton long stroke bottle jack at harbor freight....

a 6x6 about 12" long with 12" pieces of 2x4 screwed to the top crosswise at both ends makes a good cradle for jacking the keel..... never lift the boat more than a few inches above the trailer and you will not be in any danger AS LONG AS you never place any part of your body between the boat and trailer...


You will jack up the keel at the stern and then block the transom in 2 places.... It is a good idea to tie strap or chain the tops of the blocks together such that they can't spread and drop the boat...

Next jack up the keel about amidships JUST in front of an axle or trailer cross member

Now with a spotter back up the truck and trailer until the jack almost touches the next axle or cross member.

Let the jack down and repeat until the boat is positioned where you want on the trailer....


Another option is that IF the trailer has any tongue weight at all, for such a short one time move you could simply plan a route without major highways at a non peak traffic time and make the move at 20 mph with the hazards on.

2 hrs extra sitting down with the A/C blowing beats 2 hrs crawling around in the dirt under a boat trailer... jus sayin

 

[jbetzelb]

Is there enough tongue weight on it now? It likely doesnt matter if it is hanging off a few feet if you already have enough weight on the tongue.

 

[TBarCYa]

I've never towed it so I dont know about tongue weight. If there's little chance of damaging it by towing it hanging off, then I'll leave it and go slow.

 

[smokeonthewater]

the biggest danger would be loss of control but at 20 mph that becomes FAR less likely.... a LOT also depends on what you are towing with..... If you are totally maxing a 1/2 ton you have to be more careful than if you are towing with a dually.... Either way BE CAREFUL and happy boating

 

[NYBo]

Is it a matter of just not being set up properly or is the trailer undersized?

 

[TBarCYa]

I'm fairly certain that the trailer is sized correctly but just isnt set up for this boat. It looks like a slow trip is in order.

 

[Brian 26]

What kind of earth is under the rig now? I really like the jacking ideas, especially the one where you drop and raise the tongue. However if it's soft dirt your jacks and blocks are going to sink in at every motion (been there done that) making the process very time consuming and frustrating. Conversely if it's on concrete it should go smooth.

 

[redneck joe]

go slow and have a chase vehicle. Also check laws for trailing it is probably 'oversized' and may need a permit. I've towed 10' beam here in TN with cops passing me no problem however I was completely and properly set up for towing. They come across you or a local Barney Fife sees you they might want to check you over and make your day end on a sour note.

 

[TBarCYa]

It's on grass but I'm planning on using some 2x6 or 2x10 under the jack and under the tires once I lift it out of the holes it's in. As far as the permits... Well...

 

[Ned L]

You don't need a bow eye. As has been mentioned , good ratchet straps to strap her to the trailer. You need to see that you have proper tongue weight and that the trailer and tow vehicle are rated for the load. ....... and I would suggest you check your dimensions against your local DOT requitements for permits, if you are oversize THEY will tell you the route you need to take.
......Last week I had 33' and about 12000lbs moved 200+ miles.

 

[TBarCYa]

So, the tow went well. I used 3 2 inch ratchet straps, one across the gunwales and one on each side of the bow. There was very little tongue weight so it was a little sketchy but not unsafe. The dry rotten tires lasted the trip and other than losing one of the front straps, there were no issues.

 

[agallant80]

Put a bow eye on it and seal it with 5200. Don't forget the backing plate. The project will set you back $50 and stop the boat from sliding off the trailer on to the ramp. Any ways you will need the bow eye for SeaTow to bring you back to port when she breaks down. If the boat is a project you will be taking her on and off the trailer more than you think. Also how is there any safety chain if there is not a bow eye?

 

[bobdec]

You're braver than me.. 45 miles, 7000 lbs, rotted tires, bunk trailer with no winch, no safety chain, light tongue weight, started out w/3 straps and got there w/2, (sounds like a yard trailer) did it have brakes and lights ?? Glad the trip was uneventful..