Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

[richg99]

I have a 160W semi-V Lowe that I purchased 2 weeks ago. The boat has been in the water once and all appears well there.

HOWEVER...the trailer was not fit properly to the boat. It was purchased after the original trailer rusted out by the former owner.

I brought it to the largest trailer firm in Houston...and they adjusted the bunks and cut off the old welded supports and replaced them with galvanized adjustable supports. So far so good....NOT.... When crawling around to re-do a light issue, I noticed that the boat is way too high. I noticed that same thing when I launched her.

OK...tomorrow I head back to the trailer guys and have them fix the height problem.

The next....and now most important question is....this trailer has two keel rollers. The boat is a slight semi V. I PRESUME that the keel should be touching the keel rollers. However, this is my first "tin boat" and I want to be sure that keel rollers are OK on an aluminum boat. I can't figure out any reason why that would not be so..but..I sure don't want to take a third trip back to the trailer guys. thanks for any help. Rich

 

[Bondo]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

Ayuh,... The keel rollers are more for guiding the hull on when loading. Not carring the load...

 

[richg99]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

That is pretty much what I expected to hear. After finding the Trailer company mounted the boat about three inches higher than it should be...I wasn't happy taking their advice. thanks, Rich

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

If you're going with bunks, get rid of the rollers and go with a V guide about a foot or two from the bow rise.


Keel rollers are for support...for a roller system, if you use them on a float on, the boat will bump bump bump over the rollers until it stops at the upright.

 

[richg99]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

The trailer already is equipped with bunks. I am keeping them.

There are only two rollers. One at the stern to help the boat roll on....and one near the front. For now, I will leave them in place. The way the trailer company has things set...the two rollers are 3 inches below the boat at all times????
That will be corrected tomorrow.
Rich

 

[LoweRider]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

I have a 14' Lowe Superior V and my trailer has 4 bunks and 2 rollers, when my boat is on the trailer it rests on the 4 bunks and the bow roller. The stern roller sits about 3" below the boat. The stern roller keeps the boat from banging into the trailer frame when I am starting to get the boat loaded. I just added side bunks last summer and have found them to be extremely helpful getting the boat centered on the bunks, especially when there is a cross wind at the ramp. Hope this helps out.

 

[richg99]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

Lowe.....Yes, your post does help a lot. My configuration is exactly the same as yours. Makes sense ....the use of the two rollers, too.

On Friday, I added two PVC uprights... instead of the side bunks. Either arrangment is very helpful when loading up. thanks Rich

 

[LoweRider]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

Happy to help Rich! I wondered the very same thing when I first got my boat. I kept cracking the bow roller until I reset the the bunks so the boat sat equally on all 4 bunks. The two outer bunks are parallel with the sides of the boat and the two inner bunks angle in to create a "V". If I can help in any other way just let me know,
Mike

 

[richg99]

Re: Keel rollers with a semi v alum boat?

OK I was WRONG.. After getting the trailer out in full daylight this morning, I see that the trailer guys already have the boat at its lowest possible point. Given that this trailer was never matched to this boat...they did the best they could. I could not see the stern yesterday because I had the boat jammed far back into my garage.

The stern roller looks like it will do its job. The fore roller would have to be raised ten inches to do anything at all....and it is welded on. I see no reason to change anything right now.

I know at least one launch that I can use with no troubles. I will have to try a few others over the next week or so and see if I have a problem launching/recovering. Thanks for all of the help here, anyhow. regards, Rich