Loading 2013 Party Barge 22'

[mpdive12]

Trying to figure out if there is something wrong with the setup on my Party Barge as far as the trailer and/or the winch hook. The trailer came with the boat new from the dealer. I am the second owner and ever since I started splashing the boat, I have noticed that the top of the winch strap rubs the pontoon aluminum trim rub rail around the boat. Depending on ramp angles, it has even bent the rail when cranking in the boat. I understand that at severe angle boat ramps this might occur, but it even seems to rub on normal boat ramps. The strap is running through the guides, and nothing has been modified. Am I missing something? At lake Douglas right now with boat off trailer but I can get some pics eventually. Just curios if anyone else has had this happen?
Thanks in advance!

 

[mpdive12]

[No message]

 

[ahicks]

Your pics leave me clueless.

When is the front of the boat hitting the winch stand? After loaded, or during the loading process?

Some 'toon's I've dealt with didn't have very sturdy bow hook attachments (the boat side). Like when being winched hard, it wouldn't be that hard to start bending metal due to a lack of proper structure. How does yours look? Could that issue be bending your rail?

Our boat is generally winched and secured as far forward as we can get it on the ramp, often leaving it an inch or 2 back from the stop when pulled out. I used to wait until we pulled up into the tie down area (clear of ramp traffic), and hit the brakes hard a couple of times to slide the boat forward on the trailer. Anymore, I just leave it with the gap.

 

[mpdive12]

I will get more pics when I reload the boat Saturday. The front of the boat is not hitting the winch stand. It is just the upper face of the winch strap that is always rubbing the pontoon aluminum rub rail. It is always in contact with that metal when cranking the boat in. If it is a real steep angle, it actually bends the rub rail outward. Since it is in constant contact with the rail, it eventually cuts through the strap.I will definitely post pics of it loaded. I just thought this may be a common problem. Thanks a ton for the reply! Always appreciated

 

[GA_Boater]

Get a pic while loading when the strap is hitting the rub rail. The whole boat, not just the winch and front of the toon.

 

[mpdive12]

Sure will THANKS!

 

[Nines]

I hear you need to wear Crocs when winching your boat.

 

[mpdive12]

Went to get new winch strap at Bass Pro and took pics of the same boats as mine on trailers. Sure enough the strap sits tight with constant pressure on the rub rail. Kind of seems wierd that as the boat is trailered it is constantly wearing at the strap. Odd design and I need to put my engineering cap on. The chafing is not so much an issue, but get the trailer at a steeper angle and it wants to bend the rail outward. Hmmmm

 

[ahicks]

My boat has a "D" ring installed on the front side of the front rail for the winch to pull on. Front rail itself has very little strength, so on the back side is a reinforcement that ties to the next 2 cross rails, spreading the pulling load out across them.

 

[mpdive12]

It appears that Tracker may have beefed up the rub rail to avoid it bending. When I felt the backside of the rub rail it had a thick rib in the back, probably to strengthen it to avoid bending it when the boat is at an angle. When I pull the my boat today I am going to check mine to see if it is a thinner rub rail.

 

[mpdive12]

Here are the pics of the bent rail. When I just installed the new winch strap I threaded it so that it rides under the lowest roller bar. It seemed to help somewhat but it still seems like just a bad design. Maybe just something I have to live with and avoid all but level ramps. LOL

 

[oldjeep]

Looks an aweful lot like someone attached the winch hook to that front rail.

 

[ahicks]

I agree. While I can see how it might cause the front rail to pull forward due to the weight placed on it, there's no way the winch strap caused it to bend like that.

It looks like that eye on the front side of the rail had an eyelet fastened to it at one time? The pictures provided look like there may be some structure on the back side of that front rail supporting that eyelet. That's where my focus would be. Getting something sturdy for the strap to fasten to in that area. Lacking that something sturdy, I can see how easy it might be for somebody to hook on to that rail and give it a tug......

 

[JimS123]

From the lot pictures, the winch is positioned too low for proper use. But obviously if it were higher it would rub on the rail even more.

The bow eye is in a very poor place. Tracker's design staff was never noted for bright ideas.

If it were me I would add a length of chain to the existing bow eye, extended past the rail, and then clip the strap to the chain. When you launch, remove the chain.

 

[ahicks]

Agree there too. The existing "bow eye" is not a functional bow eye. It's more of a tie down. This boat need a real bow eye.