Seeking input on trailer side guides

[Sunbeam]

My 22 sits on a tandem trailer that has no side guides. It does have carpeted "half moons" lining the inside of the fenders, but those are hardly guides (maybe more like a ricochet cushions :wink. While I have highway trailered my boat quite a bit, I have virtually no experience launching/retrieving (this or any other boat). It seems that guides of some sort would be a good idea, but without any experience it's hard to know which ones I'd prefer.

I was wondering if any of you who have used them would care to comment on what you like or don't like about the ones you have - or have tried - and what you would do if you were outfitting a trailer from scratch (no guides).

Here are a few options/styles I have seen, and some "uneducated" thoughts:

1) Heavy duty guide-ons from Pacific Trailer. These certainly look deluxe and up to the task. One thing I'm not sure of is if they would interfere with my normal hopping on and off the boat via the fender (because they only adjust in so far, and go up "straight"). They are also very expensive, at $360 just for the four uprights/mounts, but that's not to say I wouldn't be happy to spend the money if they were "the way to go." On the other hand, I don't want to just buy them because. This photo shows them on SEA3PO, and I have noticed them on C-Hawk (Fishtales) and Jenny B. as well.



2) Lighter duty guide-ons from Pacific Trailer. These are a lot less substantial than the former ones, but if they do the job... great. They angle outward from the attachment point, for whatever that's worth. They are also quite a bit less expensive ($120 for the four uprights).

I think these may be the ones on Blue Rose:



3) Another style of lighter duty ones that I have seen in various places curve around on their way up, and look like these on Nomad. I have also seen them mounted atop the trailer frame vs. beneath.



One concern I have with the lighter duty ones: If you look at this photo of 3rd Byte's trailer with a set of the lighter-type guides, you can see it looks like he added diagonal bracing. That makes me wonder if I might as well spring for the more substantial ones the first time around (I'm not much of a metal worker, and I dislike throwing good money after bad) (of course a certain amount of that seems inevitable in boating, but I might as well at least try to avoid it).



Another factor, which I've mentioned, is that - if possible - I'd like to keep my easy access from ground to boat via the fenders - not sure which or if any particular style has the advantage there. I guess maybe I need to go to a gathering that starts at a launch ramp so I can compare and contrast in real life! But... I'd like to get guides set up before then.

Another question is how high to run them. I've seen some boats on which they run at the level of the sheer stripe, and then others that have them aligned with the first white strake. The Wallas exhaust on my boat is on the first white strake, but then I'm not sure if I'll be reinstalling that, so it may or may not be a concern.

Lastly, these look interesting, but I guess they are more to keep the boat migrating sidways on the trailer while on the road? (They'd be too low to serve as retrieving side guides, right?)



Thanks ahead for any input, both positive, or "if I had it to do over again..."

Sunbeam :hot

 

[colobear]

We have the "goalpost" guides that are really only useful for aiming at the trailer. I would much rather have side guides. I have always been told the dory shape of our boats, wider toward the center, limits options a little bit. We too use the trailer fenders for getting on and off the boat and will be following this thread with interest.

 

[Sunbeam]

Good to have "company" in the thread :thup I'm really curious how the guides will affect the fender-hop move. I seem to hop on and off my boat a lot (project time!). What made me first think it could be an issue is this photo of the Pacific Trailer guides on Jenny B.



That said, the same guides on SEA3PO and another boat (whose name I forget but there is a photo in my album in the Trailer folder) don't look to sit out as far. It's kind of hard to tell. It seems like it would be a function of the beam of the boat, but maybe trailer width has something to do with it to, in a way I haven't imagined.

Sunbeam

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Sunbeam - my Thundercraft has the side guides on the trailer and I found them handy on very steep ramps and also at one marina where we spent a few summers - the ramp was 90deg. to Big Creek(lake Erie) and when there was a strong current(abeam) the guides were handy.

My Stingray on the other hand has no side guides and so far I have not missed them. I leave the front of the bunks out of the water and run it up under power. The bunks centre the boat as it rides up them. This method may work better with deeper V boats - Stingray is 19deg. With a flat/shallow V like a C Dory the side rails may come in handy.

Regards, Rob

 

[Sunbeam]

Thanks for the input, Rob. I can see where it would be easier to retrieve a deep-V hull without them. From reading the archives here I get the idea they are - if not absolutely necessary - certainly useful with the flatter hull of the C-Dory. And if anyone is going to need them, it's probably going to be me But as of yet I don't feel I have enough information to make an informed decision as to which ones to choose.

 

[Bill K]

I have a single axle trailer and it has two post's with vertical rollers on the back corners of the trailer.

I don't have the trailer yet but they sure don't impress me as I would think they could hit the bottom of the boat before the stern gets there.

No photo.

Bill Kelleher

 

[Sunbeam]

I
I don't have the trailer yet...

Speaking of which, congrats on your new-to-you 22 :beer I guess you don't have the boat yet either? It must be torture to wait! (I had to wait a while to pick mine up too.)

 

[bridma]

Not sure that extra diagonal bracing is really necessary on side guides, but I guess it does no harm.
When I drift on to the trailer during recovery there is no pressure on the side guides because the boat is still afloat. I line it up approx (maybe using a boat hook) so there is one inch clearance each side and then tell the admiral driving the truck to "floor it". Seems to work for me.

Martin.

 

[Sunbeam]

Thanks for your comments, Martin ('specially since your Nomad was "featured" in my first post ).

...I drift on to the trailer during recovery...so there is one inch clearance each side and then tell the admiral driving the truck to "floor it". Seems to work for me.

One thing I didn't mention is that I'll be launching/retrieving solo much of the time. I wonder if that will make a difference in whether or not I need stouter guides. Seems like it might mean I need to put the boat up onto a "dryer" trailer vs. having it floating as another person in the tow vehicle simultaneously pulls the the trailer out? Whew, this is making me a bit nervous about the launching retrieving. I know there can be a "tough crowd" at the launch ramp (because I've heard what they say about "other" idiots )

 

[DaveS]

I have side guides on my roller trailer without any additional reinforcement. (See pix in my album). They are not an obstacle at all in accessing the boat from the fenders....that is the only way I ingress and egress the vessel while it is on the trailer. I would never have the trailer set up without the side guides. I have single handedly loaded the boat on the trailer numerous times in cross currents and cross winds. Personally, I do not drive the boat onto the trailer as I always launch where there is a dock next to the ramp. If I have a cross current or cross wind, I just make certain that the boat is on the lee side of the dock from the current/wind and walk the boat by holding a bow line and a stern line and slide the vessel between the side guides (kinda like a big cradle). Easy to do! :lol:

(Sometimes the boat doesn't center correctly on the trailer, so I just winch it up tight. Pull the truck, trailer and boat up to the level tie down area and put my back against the rearquarter of the boat that needs to be pushed over and with a lifting/pushing motion, the boat is easily centered).

(I also had side guides on my 16' Cruiser's roller trailer).

 

[DaveS]

I know there can be a "tough crowd" at the launch ramp (because I've heard what they say about "other" idiots )

P.S. After I manhandle the boat into the centering position I mentioned above, the "tough crowd" leave the tie down area...... :roll:

 

[DaveS]

BTW Sunbeam, your information in the left margin doesn't indicate where you live. If you live nearby, you are welcome to come over and try the side guides for ingress and egress and see how sturdy they are without additional reinforcement.

 

[Sunbeam]

[
P.S. After I manhandle the boat into the centering position I mentioned above, the "tough crowd" leave the tie down area...... :roll:

Well sure, after you just casually reposition your 4,000# boat and motor on the trailer "by hand." At that point they know they might as well shift their attention to the next guy for entertainment :lol:

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Sunbeam - it just takes practice and a check list. Most people I've met at ramps are helpfull but there are always a few "toe tappers" during rush hour. Don't let them get you rattled. If you can pick a marina with multiple ramps and practice during slow times.

When launching - loosen the winch about 1 turn then put back to "retrieve position" - back in untill the boat just begins to float. Pull back out untill the bow just bottoms on the front of bunks. Note this position - usually the top of fenders are just above the water. When retrieving your boat later, this is how far you want to back the trailer in.

If your solo sometimes asking somebody that is waiting if they mind giving you a hand makes them forget that they are waiting on you! Most people will at least figure - if they give you a hand it will get you out of their way faster!

Regards, Rob

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Another trick if you have a bunk trailer and your boat needs to be winched up to the bow roller after retreiving - pull up to a level parking area and slam your brakes on. The boat will slide up to the roller and save you a lot of winching.

 

[Sunbeam]

Thanks for the tips. The one about backing in and then checking where the boat is on the trailer for future reference sounds like a really good idea. Definitely going to look for a non-busy ramp/time the first few goes :smileo

Sunbeam

PS: Sidetracking my own thread, but since winches were mentioned a couple of times: My current, original winch is looking a bit sad, and the cable needs replacing. I poked around in the archives and took note of several older posts noting that people had upgraded to gutsier winches, and how happy they were with them. Looking on the Fulton site revealed that my current (Fulton T2025) winch has a maximum mechanical advantage of 64:1, whereas the oft-recommended T3700 goes up to 102:1. I also noted that the T2605 has a maximum of 108:1 and comes in a strap version, which seems more appealing on the face of it than wire rope.

Both the 2025 and the 2605 have neutral, while the 3700 doesn't. It sounds like a good thing, but then I don't really know.

 

[Bill K]

Thanks, yes it is a little hard but considering the weather here on the Ohio/Mich line it's not to bad.

You are correct, the boat is on the trailer.

Bill Kelleher

I
I don't have the trailer yet...

Speaking of which, congrats on your new-to-you 22 :beer I guess you don't have the boat yet either? It must be torture to wait! (I had to wait a while to pick mine up too.)

 

[Sunbeam]

If you live nearby, you are welcome to come over and try the side guides for ingress and egress and see how sturdy they are without additional reinforcement.

Dave,

I somehow missed this post earlier, but thank you for the offer. I'm "out and about" (why I changed my location for now), which may include Washington this summer. If so I would enjoy stopping by to check out the trailer/guides and meet a fellow C-Brat (plus see my all-time favorite 22 -- red and twins )

 

[Moxieabs]

Sunbeam,
I have to frequently launch and load single-handed without the benefit of a dock along side and manage quite well by driving on/off the trailer with bunks and what I would call mini side guides along with the goal posts. The goal posts are 2" PVC over robust square galvanized posts. With the trailer in at the proper depth I can power on far enough to climb down the spare tire to the trailer tongue and attach the winch cable, crank it tight, hop off the trailer and drive up the ramp with dry feet. Check Widget's album for a picture of the "mini" guides. I, too, wanted unencombered access to the boat from the trailer fenders. This has worked for me.

 

[colobear]

Where did you get the miniguides? They look like they might do the trick.

Thanks.