Bunk or roller trailer

[abl1111]

I had to go waaay back to pull this subject - I have done nothing with this yet. But, after another hassle of loading her this past Fall, it's in my mind again.

I liked one of the ideas of moving the bunks inward more, but alas, on one side, that is exactly where my I/O raw-water and washdown intake/strainers are - so no go - the boat would not slide over these.

I think that a "V" with rollers on the first cross member of the trailer might help the boat stay aligned. Anyone ever see anything like that ? That, and a pair of tall trailer guides along each side.

[Blue_Heron]

I think that a "V" with rollers on the first cross member of the trailer might help the boat stay aligned. Anyone ever see anything like that ? That, and a pair of tall trailer guides along each side.

I had a setup similar to what you describe on the trailer for my 20 when I first got it.





Frankly, it didn't work worth a crap. Whether I drove it on or winched it on it wouldn't line up consistently. Based on a thread here, I added keel bunks forward and as tight to the keel as possible. Here's what it looks like now.









The keel bunks work so well at centering the boat on the trailer that I removed the alignment posts. They just weren't necessary anymore. If you can add keel bunks at least 5' long, and mount them just behind the point where the keel flattens out, the boat will center every time. And they shouldn't interfere with your raw water intake.

Dave

[abl1111]

Me Likey !

Do you have any problem getting the boat onto the trailer ? Not too much friction ? My boat is a hell of a lot heavier than yours.

I know there are 5'-6' bunk rollers available. I wonder if I could use a pair of those on top of your "V" / keel bunk idea if that would help it:

a) line up
b) roll up smoother

?

[Basspond]

Those forward bunks are worth their weight in gold! I have them on my 20's trailer and it lines up straight every time.

I fish on a friend's 21 contender who just has the V with the roller and that darn boat never lines up on the first try.

[Blue_Heron]

Me Likey !

Do you have any problem getting the boat onto the trailer ? Not too much friction ? My boat is a hell of a lot heavier than yours.

I know there are 5'-6' bunk rollers available. I wonder if I could use a pair of those on top of your "V" / keel bunk idea if that would help it:

a) line up
b) roll up smoother

?

I don't know about rollers, but I don't have any problems loading the boat. You can spray silicone on the carpet on the bunks and it makes them pretty slick. Almost dumped my flats skiff on the ramp after doing that a couple years back. You can also get teflon strips to put on top of the bunks to reduce friction, but I've never used them.

Most of the ramps I use are at a fairly flat angle. I back the trailer into the water until the rear 1' or so of the main bunks is wet and then power it on. It hops on the trailer and centers automatically. Just hook up the winch strap and make a couple turns on the crank to draw it up the last couple inches. If I'm at a ramp where I can't power on, I put the trailer in deeper and float on. As I pull the trailer up the ramp, the boat settles into the keel bunks and self centers. Either way, I can launch or load the boat single handed.

I see guys at the ramp all the time backing their boats in the water several times before getting it to align on the trailer. I load and go. If it worked any better, it would have to be magic. Makes me look a lot smarter than I really am.

Dave