Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

[gdeangel]

I am having trouble getting my boat centered when retrieving. There is very little margin either side in order to have the strakes sitting right next to the trailer bunks. Also, there is very little space to the wheel covers, so if I'm off center, the boat ends up sitting on top of one of the wheel covers.

The ramp in question is on the steep side, and has deep, angled grooves in the concrete for traction but they cause the trailer to rise up one wheel faster than the other. I am probably backing in a little too much, but otherwise its very tough to winch up and I don't want to rip my winch strap. It had actually burst the the stitching last year so I'm perhaps being overly cautious given that I don't have much confidence in my sewing repair.

The trailer has 3 keel rollers (not adjustable), plus carpeted guide-on's that are too wide to help centering the boat, but welded in place with heavy steel and can't be adjusted.

Any suggestions how to solve the problem cheaply? Something that I could use to make a ramp from the edge of the wheel cover to the guide-on would probably do it, but I don't know what material to use... maybe plexi-glass? or some type of rubber?

 

[raven7]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Without a picture of the guide ons, could they be shimmed to get them closer to help center the hull?

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Agreed with above. Let's have some pics (or at least a really good description) of the guide-ons.

Are they attached to their brackets with some sort of hardware? (Say, lag bolts or through-bolts) If so, seems like they could be shimmed.
How much gap on each side between the guide bunks and the hull?

Any other bunks besides the keel rollers and the side guides?

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

As suggested above, if you can't move the guide-on brackets maybe you can shim the guide-on boards. Place shims between the boards and the brackets.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Launch deep, retrieve shallow. I've always read it but have been surprised just how true it is. If you're having trouble winching it up, perhaps a bigger winch is in order (sounds like a new strap definitely is). Could the spread-out guide-ons possibly be bent inward some with a big ol' ratchet strap or come along?

 

[Al Kungel]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

As already noted when you retrieve the trailer should not be deep in the water. On my trailer, the fenders stick out about 2 inches above the water, but this varies between trailers and steepness of the ramp. As far as making it easier to crank up, put some glides on the bunks. They only downside with glides, they are very slick and when you launch or retrieve you must keep the safety chain and retrieving strap on.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Use narrower bunks and get a new strap and get some and or move your guide ons closer to the hull when loaded correctly.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

And now for the big question.

What Kind of boat are we talking about? And how Big is it?

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Along with getting your guides moved in, self centering rollers might help. I've never used them but I know there used to be a few here that swore by them.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Have you tried to mess with your drop receiver? I found that mine works better with the receiver flipped up... not the dropped side. With it dropped the trailer is lever... but is seems i need to put in deeper to launch/retrieve. So i flipped it up to give the trailer a slight angle rearward. Something to think about. Also, sometimes when i have the boat winched up to the bow stop i can tell it's still floating... i like to stand in the center of the boat and rock side to side as the boat is being pulled out. Basically putting my weight on one foot then the other... just to help settle in the correct spot in the trailer. But i have only done that a few times. Usually just a little less in and winch her home and you're good. BTW- get a new strap. Hope this helps. Goodluck!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

It had actually burst the the stitching last year so I'm perhaps being overly cautious given that I don't have much confidence in my sewing repair.

The trailer has 3 keel rollers (not adjustable), plus carpeted guide-on's that are too wide to help centering the boat, but welded in place with heavy steel and can't be adjusted.

I chopped 2' of my strap as it was bleached and thread rotting, then stitched it back together, stitching up 2' of strap and putting in 3x as much stitching as I was using heavy upholstery thread instead of the thick thread they use for straps. With 2' of strap stitched, both pieces of strap are around the winch hub when the boat's weight (my boat at least) starts bearing down, less pressure on the stitching.

If you are concerned about the strap breaking and have a heavy boat, buy a heavy duty strap, 10K# rated instead 4-5K. EZ's suggestion of a bigger (2 speed?) winch is good.

On my trailer, the fenders stick out about 2 inches above the water, but this varies between trailers and steepness of the ramp.

Yup, find your trailer's sweet spot for loading. My trailer is best with the tops of the fenders lapping at the water's surface.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Dunk the trailer far enough to wet the entire length of the bunks, then pull out. You'll have to experiment a bit to find the sweet spot.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Pics of boat on trailer please.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Yup, find your trailer's sweet spot for loading. My trailer is best with the tops of the fenders lapping at the water's surface.

I agree and that's how I gauge it however it does depend on how loaded the boat is as well.

(If the mother in law is on there then I have to go back another 5 feet at least):facepalm:

 

[gdeangel]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Thanks everyone for all the good ideas. I will try to get a few pictures with the boat on it. Right now the guide-on's are held in place with lag screws. I would need to shim them in about 4-6" on each side. I know I'm in the water too far, so I'm going to try getting a stronger winch strap (already have the 2-speed winch) and use the slick spray.

If that doesn't work, probably I'll cut down the width of the bunks, as that way even if I'm off 2 inches from center, one of the strakes won't be sitting on the bunk. I'm still not sure about how to keep the wheel cover metal from scratching the hull though if I do end up off center.

Since my last post, I has the idea of coating the top edges of the wheel covers with the spray on bed liner stuff that is really tough but won't scratch the hull. I might even replace the carpet plywood on the inside of the wheel wells (after 15 miles with the boat rubbing on it, the carpet is already fraying at the wrapped edge) with sheet metal and then coat that with bedliner spray also. Anyone else ever use the bedliner spray on their trailer? I had someone tell me to use it on the trailer recesses where the electrical is run to "waterproof" the wiring.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

I hear 2 problems.

RAISE ALL supports. Boards & rollers. That will have the hull clear of the fenders.
Center the boards better or make them fit better between the bottom strakes.

I cheated on my trailer. I have 4 GUIDEONS.

I can fly up to the winch chock V @ 80 mph. Leave the boat idling in gear. Snap & tighten the winch. Go back in the boat. Kill the engine. Have a Gin & Tonic. Drive home.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Once u play with your set up and get it right you will be able to launch and retrieve with little to no effort no matter what ramp and or slip your on I can literally coast up to my trailer and slide right up to the bow stop attach the winch wind it up to the eyebolt slap the saftey chain on without even getting wet. But you do have to be set up right.

 

[Dreg]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

Hmm, to spitball vague ideas that are cheap, fast and easy... Countersink and bolt carpeted 4x4's to the bunk rails? I can't see how being 4-6" away is doing any good at all.

 

[gdeangel]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

I can't see how being 4-6" away is doing any good at all.

It was the same way on the original trailer, which was an original customer for this hull. Seems like the manufacturer, Trailmaster, just puts them there to catch the boat if you are launching without an along-side dock. Probably more for launch than retrieval. I am going to mark them and use them as a water level guide to help avoid backing in too far.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Retrieving advice - can't get boat to center

I had a similar problem with my Four Winns 214 deckboat. The original guide-on stanchions were flimsy and bent easily. Almost every boat like mine I've seen with the OEM trailer has had at least one of the four guide-on stanchions bent. Most had two or more. I replaced the original guide-on stanchions with some sturdy custom fabricated ones and had them welded in place. They have ZERO side play. End of problem. Immediately. So my advice would be to make sure your guide-ons are doing their job and actually position your boat properly. If they give under the load of your boat, that may be the root of your problem.

I also recommend treating your carpeted bunks with silicone spray. Makes the winch job much easier.