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Boat Crooked On Trailer-how bad?
- Thread starter sim
- Start date
jallen355
Well-known member
I've got a bunk trailer and often pull up and find my boat off-center, too. I usually grab one side and have my "s.o." grab the other and rock the chit out of it to center it. I hate haviing to do it. Doesn't happen all the time. With all the boats I have owned, however, aI've never had this much of an issue with it. I'm thinking it's got to be an adjustment issue. I just can't "see" where to go with my bunk adjustment.
Needafunboat
Active member
When I first got the starliner (I'd guess my rig weighs close to double yours), that happened. Before backing back in to adjust, we just tried to rock it and to our suprise it slipped right into place. The way my hull chines and trailer bunks are alinged it's actually pretty hard to get it crooked.
What I figured out from that minor mishap was that I was backing the trailer in too far. If you actually have to winch it up a few feet it ensures that you're on your bunks as you pull up - and it should center you pretty well. Hope this helps...
What I figured out from that minor mishap was that I was backing the trailer in too far. If you actually have to winch it up a few feet it ensures that you're on your bunks as you pull up - and it should center you pretty well. Hope this helps...
hotbeek
Active member
What he said ! If you do not back as far in you'll be able to use the bunks to center. On my trailer I usually back in till the top of my fenders are sticking out of the water by 2"-3". I know different pitched landings require different techniques but I think you've got the idea. I can not float my boat all the way to the bow stop. I'm usually 3' short of the stop. I winch the rest of the way. On real windy days or strong current launches I may winch up 4'.
Big Red
Well-known member
What he said ! If you do not back as far in you'll be able to use the bunks to center. On my trailer I usually back in till the top of my fenders are sticking out of the water by 2"-3". I know different pitched landings require different techniques but I think you've got the idea. I can not float my boat all the way to the bow stop. I'm usually 3' short of the stop. I winch the rest of the way. On real windy days or strong current launches I may winch up 4'.
Sounds like me I float mine on by hand and winch the last 3 feet. I hate driving on I am always scared somthing dumb will happen and I will have a nice scratch on the red gel.
Old Hickory
Active member
needafunboat and hotbeek are dead on.
Not all ramps are created equal either. Some are alot steeper than others. If the incline is too steep it dosn't matter how much bunk you have out of the water yer boat will still float around. There are a couple of ramps on the Little Red and Greer's Ferry Lake(Arkansas) that seem to be at least 45 deg; if they'er not they'er pretty darn close. No matter what we tried we still had to adjust our bass boat on the trailer after pulling it out.
Do alittle experimenting untill you get the right combo on your favorite ramp.
Hey Red,
bass/ and tournament fisherman are the worst about drivin a boat up on the trailer. They'er always are in a hurry even when they'er done. My Dad was the worst of the worst.LOL Thinkin about it.....I guess they figure they have to be....gettin the boat outta the water and on to weigh in( or in mine and my dad's case to biscuts and gravy) would be kinda important!
Hick
Not all ramps are created equal either. Some are alot steeper than others. If the incline is too steep it dosn't matter how much bunk you have out of the water yer boat will still float around. There are a couple of ramps on the Little Red and Greer's Ferry Lake(Arkansas) that seem to be at least 45 deg; if they'er not they'er pretty darn close. No matter what we tried we still had to adjust our bass boat on the trailer after pulling it out.
Do alittle experimenting untill you get the right combo on your favorite ramp.Hey Red,
bass/ and tournament fisherman are the worst about drivin a boat up on the trailer. They'er always are in a hurry even when they'er done. My Dad was the worst of the worst.LOL Thinkin about it.....I guess they figure they have to be....gettin the boat outta the water and on to weigh in( or in mine and my dad's case to biscuts and gravy) would be kinda important!
Hick
Last edited:
wizard8575
Active member
The one time I pulled mine out of course I had to use the hand crank since motor was blown I pulled it out and it was crooked but I did not notice until I was back at the house. It looks soooo bad
hotdaddy27
Well-known member
All good points.
My question is; How do you not notice that the boat is that crooked on the trailer till you get home?????
One look in the rear view mirror and it would look like you have a flat tire on the trailer or that your boat is making a hard right turn!
I don't know if it will harm your hull to trailer like that. My bunks have "formed" to the shape of my hull in the location that they belong. My concern would be that the load is not being evenly distributed along the bunks because the surface of them is not making contact with the hull in all locations.
Chances are that the bunks will "reform" with a few bumps, but I don't know.
I think you are too far in the water with the trailer.
My question is; How do you not notice that the boat is that crooked on the trailer till you get home?????
One look in the rear view mirror and it would look like you have a flat tire on the trailer or that your boat is making a hard right turn!
I don't know if it will harm your hull to trailer like that. My bunks have "formed" to the shape of my hull in the location that they belong. My concern would be that the load is not being evenly distributed along the bunks because the surface of them is not making contact with the hull in all locations.
Chances are that the bunks will "reform" with a few bumps, but I don't know.
I think you are too far in the water with the trailer.
PapaMaC
Member
I see some crazy things at the ramp for everglades launching. The way these guys launch and load I'm surprised people don't regularly drive onto the top of their truck or blow a powerhead. I guide with a rope in one hand and rubber-tipped docking rod in the other, winch all the way in then pull out until 1/2 - 3/4 of the boat is out of the water then shove her straight then pull out and strap up the stern. For the most part I boat alone, so I have gotten fairly efficient at it to the point it takes me almost the same time to load as one of those crazy guys WOT'ing into their trailer.
remlinger
Active member
Hell I have no problem with getting the boat on the trailer. My wife backs in the trailer and stops just before the tops of the fenders go under the surface of the water and I drive the boat right on. We have it down to about a five minute job with installing the tie down straps.
It's great seeing the look on the face of all of the guys struggling while she backs down with ease. Expecially the idiots with their jet skies all cocked off to one side.
It's great seeing the look on the face of all of the guys struggling while she backs down with ease. Expecially the idiots with their jet skies all cocked off to one side.
PapaMaC
Member
I told eveyone around here years ago, teach your wife how to trailer the boat and half the work is done when you pull into the ramp area!
Note the word "wife". My girlfriend doesn't have the experience with driving SUVs/Trailers or the insurance to cover any mishaps. Maybe the day will come she will prove herself wifey-material and therefore be worth the frustration of instructing her; I will teach her in a large parking lot. Until then, she waits at the dock with a winecooler while I do the work.
:cheers