How far can boat stick off back?

[TxHorns]

I have a 23' center console with twin outboards mounted on the transom. I don't store it on the trailer, but do use it every once in awhile. The bottom side of the hull sticks off the trailer about 1-2 feet - is this an issue? If so, how bad of one? Thanks.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

I would think that you want the transom sitting on the bunks since that is where a huge share of the weight is. Every trailer I've owned the bunks have been even with the transom (nothing hanging over)

 

[Capt21]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Thats an awful amount of weight sitting unsupported. Add in a few bumps, and yikes. Most of the weight is going to be on the 10% of unsupported vessel...especially running twins. Taking a chance IMO.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Boat should be sitting on the bunks at the transom. The transom should be supported fully by the bunks. You might have to move the boat further up on the trailer or extend the bunks. If you move the boat up on the trailer make sure and check the tung weight. Also make sure the boat fits that trailer, thats a lot of boat to stick off the back.

 

[TxHorns]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Thanks for the help. the trailer doesn't fit the boat well at all, but I really just use it for towing it to the shop and back (rarely hopefully) and home and back. I also use a tiedown in the front in addition to the eye strap.

I could just put new boards on it to extend the bunks, but does that do much if they still extend beyond the support/end of the trailer?

 

[dwco5051]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Yes it will help support the load of the boat evenly and not stress the hull. It will not change the tongue weight and if that much of the boat is towards the back you could be dangerously light on the hitch. As per previous post check your tongue weight. It should be 10 to 15 percent of the total weight of the loaded trailer.

 

[fishingman220]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

could you move the winch post foward and adjust the bow supports?

 

[TxHorns]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Come to think of it, I can't remember if the winch post is welded on or bolted on, but I'll take a look when I'm down there this weekend and try to adjust it if possible. Otherwise, I'll just get longer 4x4s for the bunks.

Also, I keep my boat in dry storage... this is making me think I need to go make sure they aren't screwing me and putting me on a short cradle.

 

[dave11]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Unsupported so much weight might put a hook in the hull.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Depends on the boat.

If you own one of those paper mache boats then you might have an issue. If not, then you should not have a probelm.

My last boat sat on a trialer with a 1' overhang for 25 years. Boat manufacturer said no problem. Transom and motor is still attached, hull isn't hooked.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Extending the bunks two feet from their last attachment will be of little to no help because they simply bend under the load. Move the winch post forward. In your case, having incorrect tongue weight is far less an issue than having that much weight being unsupported.

 

[txtoyman]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Like dingbat said - unless you have a pretty soft hull I wouldn't worry much about it. Many, MANY boats spend their lives supported by 2 slings in a boat house - don't think we'd see this as a continuing practice if it caused problems. JMOO

 

[TitanTea]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

My boat over hangs about 3 inches...No problems.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Like dingbat said - unless you have a pretty soft hull I wouldn't worry much about it. Many, MANY boats spend their lives supported by 2 slings in a boat house - don't think we'd see this as a continuing practice if it caused problems. JMOO

Hanging a boat in a boat house isn't anything like a boat on a trailer.

The boat house doesn't move and shake and hit pot holes or curbs it just sits there.

Simple answer the boat should have it's transom supported.

Your trailering only once in awhile and not far it's your choice and probably won't be a problem.

But just cause it works or someone told someone it's ok doesn't mean it's right or should be done.

 

[txtoyman]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Conversely - just because someone tells you it is wrong doesn't make it so.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

And just because you refuse to agree with something even though it's true doesn't make a bit of difference in the world around you except in your head.

If you feel the need do some research and you'll figure it out.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Maybe you could move the stop forward a bit, extend the bunks AND have a small piece of angle welded from the trailer to the end of the new bunk board. Might not be exactly right but it would atleast provide some support, just extending the bunks will do nothing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

short haul/short term, don't worry about it. As Silvertip said, tongue weight is most important.

Ever see big motors mounted on an extension bracket? Ever see that bracket or the motors supported? If 18" of solid boat was an issue, they wouldn't trailer with 2' extensions.
Plenty of other things to do or worry about. Good question, though.

Oh, and hanging boats can deform.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: How far can boat stick off back?

Actually if you look at those boats with big motors and brackets you'll notice that the transom is supported by the bunks on the trailer.

Any part of your hull is not the same as your transom, your transom is designed to carry the load of your motor(s) not your hull a couple feet forward of it.

Not supporting your transom on your trailer IS the major cause of hook developing in your hull. So what if you never saw cracks or think that anything is wrong, distorting the most important part of your running surface has big effects on how your boat performs.

Your boat is plastic and no matter how much you reinforce it if you abuse it, it will distort.