Boat position on trailer

[san dimas]

On my 14' aluminum Valco with a Force 9.9hp (about 65 lbs), the trailer bunks come to within about 10" of the transom. Is this OK or do I need to move the boat forward 10"? Thanks.

 

[fishfreek]

Re: Boat position on trailer

If it were me I would start by moving the boat forward 10" then test your tounge weight. If that seems to be to much then move the boat back 5" and maybe change out the bunks so they are 5" longer. I always try to keep the transom as close to the end of the bunks as possible.

 

[Pony]

Re: Boat position on trailer

The transom needs to be supported by the bunks. If you post a picture someone should be able to give a good idea of what will most likely be necessary, but as fishcreek said it is probably a combination of extending the bunks and moving the boat forward on the trailer. Is it possible you have a 14" boat on a 12" trailer (just thinking that 10" is quite a bit) Hopefully its one that is designed for both and you will have enough tongue to move the winch post that much.......you will want the bunks to extend just past the transom.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Boat position on trailer

san...if you're removing the motor to trailer, it's not so important to have the bunks go to the transom. If you're leaving it on, that weight really needs to be fully supported to relieve the stress to the transom during transit.

 

[Chip Chester]

Re: Boat position on trailer

If your trailer is reasonably adjustable, you should be able to move the boat to get the transom over the bunks, move the winch mount to accommodate, and move the axle to produce the correct tongue weight. If you need to compromise, could you extend the bunks to provide the support? This wouldn't fix weight distribution, but it would fix support of transom.

A 10" extension would be unusual, but doable depending on weight, construction of bunks, and construction of trailer. Extending the trailer beneath wouldn't hurt either, but at some point it would be economically better to trade trailers.

As mentioned above, pics would help.

Chip

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

I'll try to get some pictures tonite and post them if I can figure out how. Not exactly a computer genius. Thanks for your advice.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

OK. I'm trying to send pictures.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

I'll try again.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

I struggled but I got the pictures in. The problem seems to be where the winch line attaches to the bow, it's so far forward. Maybe if I put an eyelet further down on the bow?

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

The distance from the end of the bunk to transom is about 5"-6" not 10" as I stated before.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat position on trailer

Sorry folks but I don't see a problem there with those last pictures. That light engine wont make a difference. I also do not see a roller at the end of this trailer.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

Hey bonz. Should my trailer have a rear roller?

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Boat position on trailer

Leave it be unless it bothers you. You really don't want a keel roller because the keels on these boats don't amount to much and the stress from riding on a roller can damage the keel. If you just want it to guide the boat on that's o.k. just make sure that the keel is at least an inch above it when the boat is strapped down. That's a nice trailer and boat by the way.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

Thanks jlawsen. It does have a keel roller about 4' back from the bow. The boat sits on the 2 bunks and the roller. I'm replacing the keel roller because the old rubber roller had been cut into by the narrow keel (the keel is only about 3/8 wide and sticks down about 1" kind of like a seam) and wouldn't roll any more. The new roller is made of some kind of plastic and is harder than the rubber roller. After your comments I'm beginning to think that I should have bought another rubber roller. I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat position on trailer

Most every small boat trailer that I've seen have 3 rollers. One at the very end of the trailer to help guild the boat into the bunks and then 2 rollers forward of the bunks. With the design of the keel on your boat it would be hard to adjust an end roller to stay in contact because of the upward angle of the keel at the stern.

I am not going to get into the debate here again about keel rollers though I will say this. I have a 28 year old aluminum Lund that has spent most of it's life on a keel roller trailer and there has been no damage to this keel of any kind and it is much heavier than the one you've pictured and also carries an engine that is at least 2 times the weight of your 9.9hp.

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: Boat position on trailer

The right way to do it.... You need somewhere between 9 and 15 percent of the gross trailer weight (GTW) on the toung. For this little trailer I would certianly go with closer to 15% on toung.

Make that happen however you want or can figure out. Then you can decide if you want to move anything, but untill that happens your chasing your tail and not doing it right.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Boat position on trailer

That right, about the tongue weight I mean. You don't want your trailer fishtailing down the highway.

 

[san dimas]

Re: Boat position on trailer

The boat tows great except for the motor bouncing all over the place. I may try to put a transom saver on it.

 

[64osby]

Re: Boat position on trailer

To determine what if anything should be done you need to weigh the boat and trailer, outfitted like your going to the water. Then check your tongue weight. If you are at 10 - 15% you are pretty much all set.

On one post you mentioned moving your boat forward, I don't think you have the room to move it forward at all.

If you find that the tongue weight is out of the 10-15% range then you can start looking at changes. If the tongue is too heavy, move the axle forward or the boat moves back and you need to change your bunks. If the tongue is too light the axle moves back.

Longer bunks, back to the transom face are always a good idea and it could be done in a few hours, but I wouldn't do anything until you are sure the trailer is set up properly weight wise.

It doesn't look like overall weight is an issue, but to me your trailer looks like it's made for a 10 -12' boat and not a 14'.

My .02