Trailer Question

Searayguy185

Searayguy185

Member
Jul 17, 2017
87
Wisconsin
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 185 Sport 4.3 V6,

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport
Engines
Mercruiser 4.3 V6, Alpha 1 Generation 2
So I have a Shoreland'r bunk trailer and every now and then I would gouge the keel under the open bow while loading. For the longest time I thought i was hitting the boat ramp but found out that the trailer was missing the black plastic protective cover that goes across the cross bar and the keel would hit on steel crossbar of the trailer. So I ordered and installed the protective crossbar piece and put a piece of blue painters tape on it so i can tell if it makes contact with the protective piece. The first few times out it did not make contact. Yesterday it did, since some of the tape rubbed off. From what i could tell it did't hurt anything, however my concern is this fall I'm having the gouged gel coat fixed and i don't want to damage it after the fact. If a boat rubs on that black protective crossbar cover will it gouge the gelcoat? I'm not worried if it leaves a little black mark on the keel, just not wanting to damage the boat. Just to clarify the gouged gelcoat is from the keel hitting the unprotected crossbar. Thanks
 
Do you know what changed that caused the hull to hit the cross member now when it didn't hit after you put the blue tape on it?

If it's hitting the cross member it probably is doing that when you are loading the boat. Were you using the same ramp or a ramp with the same angle?

Can you raise the front end of the bunks a bit, and possibly bring them closer together so they prevent the boat from hitting the cross member? Be careful bringing them closer together at the bow...you don't want them to lay across any of the lifting strakes on the bottom of the hull.

If you lift the bunks you may have to make a corresponding adjustment to your winch to move it up just a bit.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Do you know what changed that caused the hull to hit the cross member now when it didn't hit after you put the blue tape on it?

If it's hitting the cross member it probably is doing that when you are loading the boat. Were you using the same ramp or a ramp with the same angle?

Can you raise the front end of the bunks a bit, and possibly bring them closer together so they prevent the boat from hitting the cross member? Be careful bringing them closer together at the bow...you don't want them to lay across any of the lifting strakes on the bottom of the hull.

If you lift the bunks you may have to make a corresponding adjustment to your winch to move it up just a bit.
Click to expand...
The only thing different is the lake/ launch that i brought it to. As far as bringing the bunks at the front closer raising the bow up would throw off the eyelet to the winch post. Prior to all this I called Shoreland'r and they emailed me the blueprint for the trailer that corresponds with my boat so i know it's set up correctly based on factory specs. Maybe I need to back it in just a little further. do you think it will hurt the keel it it rubs occasionally?
 
If i raise the bunks then the eyelet will not work with the winch. I'm sure I could raise up the winch post but the trailer is set up for my specific boat so I would rather not mess with the set up and try to figure out how to work with the current setup. Based on what is going on do you think I need to back the trailer in further?
 
How about adding a roller to the crossbar?

Something like 3" diameter and 8-12" long. That way if the keel comes close, it'll simply roll on the roller instead of striking the crossbar.

You could use bolt-on brackets that mount the roller alongside, but slightly higher than the crossbar.
 
bbwhitejr said:
Backing in a little more would certainly help what you describe.

Bennett
Click to expand...

This. I try to get the trailer in as far as I can so the bow simply "floats" up to the forward roller while winching her in. If you are trying to "drive" it onto the trailer, try backing in further to give you more clearance under the boat.
 
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