Centering a boat on a trailer

[pulleye16]

I have a 17' tri-hull on a regular bunk trailer. It has two bunk load type guides on the back. Should those rear bunk guides be flush with the back of the boat when trailering? Right now there is about a 1.5" gap between the rear bunk guide and the boat. If the boat drifts to one side or the other, it will rub up against the tire well. Would roller guides on the back be better and can those stay in contact with the side of the boat when trailering? I'd also have to measure the widest part of the boat to make sure it would roll off if I snugged them up tight. I've also seen devices that mount underneath the trailer to center but wondering if those work too. I do a lot of fishing by myself and when it's out of the water and can't manually move it unless I eat me wheaties (and find someone on shore). Let me know of any tips you guys a doing or devices that could help!

[mabr]

Pulleye, not sure if this will help you but heres a tip I learned way back from an expert that helped me when i first started loading on bunks. First off most people want to put the trailers to deep when loading, remember that! Try backing down until the top of your fenders are barely out of the water. Each boat and trailer is different, but that should be a good starting point. You'll have to find where yours is best from there.

Good luck

Oh I forgot to mention the rollers. I wouldnt recommend rollers on a glass boat. You want to distribute the weight vs having the weight rest on the rollers IMO.

[hamms-scooter]

I would get some guide on posts also...They make loading a snap and if you have current from river it helps with that also...

[eyebjim]

Do what MABR said but first back the trailer in deep to get the bunks wet then pull up til the fenders are just out of or at water level. Getting the bunks wet will make it much easier to crank it or drive it up the trailer. You should get it centered this way.

[TruthWalleyes]

Get the side guards that prevent your boat from floating over to your wheel wells. I would suggest the 5'-6' long 2x4" style with two support bars to the trailer, rather than the vertical PVC style. Once you get those, dump your trailer in deep enough so you can float you boat up to the winch. Hook it up, and pull out slowly. THose guides will keep you boat in the center of the trailer while you slowly pull out of the water. $100 investment. Could save you 5 minutes or better if you on a landing where the trailer sits in the water crooked.

Happy fishing.

[Ed Carlson]

Good tips, wet the boards and then pull up a bit, the boat will center and behave better.

Also raise the board height on the rear, and lower in the front. This helps to allow for shallower safer loading, and captures the hull better.

If you can move the boards by adjust the width as to align them with any chine/contour on the bottom of the hull, this also will better capture the hull. Some trailers you can tweak the width of the spread and height of the boards, others not. If you can look into it, very easy to do, and it will help.