My trailer obviously wasn’t quite made for my boat. It’s a bit of a bear to load up especially if there’s any harsh wind or even a gentle current.
I know I need to put the sideposts on it, with the PVC pipe overlay.
However, I’m a cabinet maker and not much of a metal worker. I’m sure I could do this right, but maybe not on the first round. I could use some advice on this— what material to get, best way to attach it, etc.
I’d also like to put some more bunks on it, up around the front, so that it basically “nests” into place when I drive it up on the trailer.
Anyone have any suggestions, or live in Summerville who can put there eyes on it and offer some suggestions?
Thanks!
Matt
hey matt. the firs thing that i would think will help is to move the winch up towards the ball mabe a foot or so. that should give you a little more weight distribution and balance. just a thought. good luck.
That’s a good thought, and if it’s just bolted on, I’ll probably do that. If it’s welded, I probably won’t lol, I’m not a welder. I’ll have a look at it when I go out later.
What you need are some side bunks to help you center that thing up on the trailer. Make them the width of the trailer and put them on both sides over the fenders about the height of the middle of the sides. You could use some square tubing and bend it 90degrees and mounted to the frame of the trailer. Cover a 2x4 with carpet and mount it to the inside so they guide your boat on centered every time. Also what coolbreeze said, move your winch up towards the tongue Of the trailer.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Tigerfin, I think you are exactly right.
Any certain type of square tubing I need to look for? Any suggestions on where to find it reasonably priced? Thanks!!
I’m not sure, but looks like most trailer manufacturers use 1". Definitely use galvanized or you won’t have it for long in the saltwater. I would check in with a local metals shop, but I’m not familiar with whats in Charleston.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I don’t think my trailer is galvanized anyhow lol.
Matt, the boat definitely needs to be further forward on the trailer. The bunks should end at, or very near to, the transom. That set up will distort the hull over time.
Also you should not do this…
The strap is way too tight and distorting the hull. Snug it up for trailering, but when you get it home break it loose and remove the tension. Not good for the boat to be strapped like that.
quote:
What you need are some side bunks to help you center that thing up on the trailer.
Exactly. They are available off the shelf from a lot of boat and trailer dealers and just bolt on with U bolts. Something like this only cost about $100. Not the boat, the side bunks:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Cracker, did you build that skiff? Absolutely gorgeous!
quote:
Cracker, did you build that skiff? Absolutely gorgeous!
Yes, I did. Thank you very much 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Thanks, will do. I will loosen the strap. FWIW the boat was already distorted lol, it has no major dents but has tons of smaller dings anyhow.
That is Sweet right there Larry!!
NN
07 23 Key West Twin 115 Yammys
www.joinrfa.org/
Thank you sir!
One more, if Matt doesn’t mind…
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
That is a nice little skiff, Larry. How much would one like that cost a fellow CFer?
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Thanks TF. Less than the price of fishing the Governors Cup Send me a pm if you are interested.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Pm sent
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I don’t mind at all, nice looking stuff. Maybe one day I’ll have one of yours myself. But for right now this tinny is doing the job quite nicely.
I did go out there today and move the winch up about a foot. How close can I move it to the tongue without having possible towing issues? I assume I could put it all the way up to the hitch, basically. I didn’t, yet, but might. I still have about a foot overhang.
quote:
But for right now this tinny is doing the job quite nicely.
One thing I learned a long time ago, fish don’t care how nice the boat looks or how much it cost. Only us humans think that stuff is important to catching fish
quote:
How close can I move it to the tongue without having possible towing issues? I assume I could put it all the way up to the hitch,
Usually, the more tongue weight the better for towing and that boat isn’t heavy enough to get too heavy on the tongue. A light tongue causes more problems than a heavy one. Just make sure you leave enough room that the winch post won’t hit your vehicle in a tight turn.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Is that the FS 18 bateau boat? I am starting to get the build fever again, and thought I might try and make one pretty this time.That is one sweet job you did on that.
Thanks for the help. Larry, especially, I do owe you a lot of gratitude for all your help the past couple of months.
Believe it or not, I can actually plane that boat with that worn out 6hp if I use an extension and sit in the middle.