Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

[gnrboyd]

Recently purchased boat: 1992 Sea Nymph FM 160 - 1993 50 hsp Evinrude - 1993 Haul Rite Trailer - I have not had it wet yet.

I've posted another thread recently on plastic bunks and mentioned my roller questions but I thought I'd start another one with this one more centered on trailer set up than materials.

Regardless of what I do with my bunks (wood or plastic) I'm not quite sure my rollers are set up correctly and thought I'd ask for some opinions based upon my photos.

My 2 x 4 bunks are around 7 ft. long and have fixed brackets supporting them. (The angle is adjustable but not height) I have two standard 8" black rubber keel rollers. One at the end of the trailer and one up at the bow past the bunks. Those also have fixed brackets. With fixed brackets I would think this would mean it was set up for this boat to begin with but not sure if the boat manufactures were setting up packaged rigs like they are today. Anyway, to me it looks like the bow roller is holding too much weight. I crawled under it today and I could push it off the rollers but there is definitely some weight there. I guess that is why the front roller is flattened out and needs to be replaced. The rear roller is in good shape and is about 2.5 inches below the boat as it sits on the trailer.

I first want to find out if this set up is normal. If it isn't I'm hoping to get some suggestions on a remedy. If it is, I am going to replace the rollers with either those poly v-keel rollers with end caps or maybe even those self centering type. If you use the self centering type, do you need one only on the back or should you use them on both? I appreciate any and all comments and suggestions.

Thank you

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

i would use guide ons before the self centering roller, on that trailer. i have trailer with one or the other and one with both, which is my big boat, and needs all the help it can get.
the set up looks fine to me.

 

[John_S]

Re: Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

From what I can see, it looks normal. It might help to have a side shot so you can get a perspective to size of boat and position. The roller in the back, is just for getting the bow over the cross-member when loading. The bunks should carry all the weight when boat is all the way on the trailer. I like having a center notch on that roller. I can pull the boat part way up in that notch and then push/pull the bow starboard or port, to straighten, before winching further on. I boat in a lot of rivers where there is current and cross winds, so getting the boat straight on the trailer can be a challange. Adding gang planks between winch and bow roller, have had allot of use on mine.

The bow roller is a little further back than I prefer, but it might be the perspective thing. I don't see an easy way to move it forward or put another on (no verticle room), if the boat is sitting flat on the bunks. I don't think it is a proplem, anyway.

The pictures did not show it, but if the rear of the bunks do not come all the way to the stearn of the boat, adjust your winch post to move boat back, or make your new bunks long enough. You would also want to make sure your tongue weight is is the right ballpark, before making perminent.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

good point on the bunk length, i like to leave extra bunk, so i can shift the boat on the trailer, to adjust the tongue weight. say a long trip, you can load the bow area with goods, and adjust the boat.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/tashasdaddy/MVC-323S.jpg

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

Here are a couple of more shots that might show perspective better.

The bunks are flush with the rear of the boat right now. Also, I do have side guides but they are fairly short. I think they are about 2 1/2 feet long. You can see them in one of the photos. I wish they were a bit longer for those windy days.

So if this set-up looks relatively normal, then I guess you're saying the bow roller is supposed to hold considerable weight and to expect to change the roller often. (I'm assuming the poly rollers will last much longer than the standard black one that is currently on the trailer.) Are you saying if I have side guides, I don't need the self centering roller? I figured it couldn't hurt to have it if they really work that is.

Thanks for the input.

 

[John_S]

Re: Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

Looks good to me.

I think the side guides you have are better than the single pole ones. I made a set of the pole ones and they worked OK. I would run into some anoyance with getting the rope stuck around the guides. Either launching or pulling the boat onto the trailer. I launch mainly in a river with current and wind to deal with. Also, in some very cold water conditions, that the last thing, is wade in to get the rope out. Most of the time, you can use a jump rope manuever to clear the pole.

I added a rear roller, which has a slight taper and center groove. I am not sure if they call that self-aligning. The self-aligning ones I have seen have a spiral grove that helps move the boat to center. Anyway, after learning the exact right depth to position trailer for load, that roller worked great. Prior to this, I was generally setting the trailer too deep in the water, before. I eventually broke one of the guides. I removed the other, and no need to replace.

My advice is leave your guide-ons as is, replace the roller with self-align (unless there is an extreme premium), and get the feel for the best trailer load position is best for your boat. If you find the guide-ons are a pain, you can always remove latter.

PS: maybe it is just camera angle, or you use a jack plate, but your engine cav plate looks high compared to bottom of transom.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer bunk / roller set up - photos attached

on most of the ramps i use my boats never hit the back roller, it bow hits the second roller, i have 1 trailer with a self centering roller at that point, with centers the bow, then the guides, which only have 1/2 inch clearance, centers the rest of the boat. you can add height to you guides, to where they are just below the rub rail, move them in so you have minimum clearance. they boat has no where to go, but, where you want it.