scratches from trailor

Every boat you look at will have the rash from going on and off the bunks. Make sure you dunk the trailer in the water all of the way to wet the bunks. If you put the trailer in the water deeper you risk pulling the boat out with one side sitting on the fender which = even more damage in some cases.

Tim

If you power load the boat onto the trailer, I do not know how you could avoid puting rash marks where the bunks contact the boat. My 88 has be hoist kept since new and it has rash marks from loading onto the trailer the few times a year that I trailer it. Other that bottom area where the bunks contact the boat gelcoat looks like new, even the bow as it has never been beached.

8122pbrainard wrote: Ryan, If the ramp you are at is steep then the boat may be hitting the front corners of the bunks. I'm not a believer in powering on a boat and I'm not the only one. Have you seen this tread? trailer winch The bow of the boat needs to be lifted with the aid of a winch but that is my opinion. A keel roller just forward of the bunks will help.

Pete-

Go dunk your trailer in deep and then winch it tight while its floating.

Pull it out and tell me if the back of your boat is touching the bunks.



Tim

This is how I load my 88. It takes very little power to load on a ramp like is pictured.

A steep ramp will cause you lots more problems. I know eveyones situation is different so I think you have to adjust your loading style with the situataions that you encounter.

I have fine scratches too. First time I noticed them was this year, but they probably have been there as long as I have owned the boat, and I am sure some were there when I bought it. The rest of the hull is in great shape, so it is clearly from the bunks. I can't see them from the drivers seat, or at 22' off, so I try not to let it bother me too much!

I thought I would replace the bunk carpet at the end of the year, figuring that it was a little worn and not helping the situation any. However, I screwed up and did not order enough bunk carpet to do the job. Fotunately I realized this before I tore off the old stuff! It will have to wait 'til spring now.

2_Nautiques wrote: This is how I load my 88. It takes very little power to load on a ramp like is pictured. A steep ramp will cause you lots more problems. I know eveyones situation is different so I think you have to adjust your loading style with the situataions that you encounter.

And that is the same guy you watch pulling out of the ramp with the boat sitting on the fender.

behindpropeller wrote: Pete- Go dunk your trailer in deep and then winch it tight while its floating. Pull it out and tell me if the back of your boat is touching the bunks. Tim

Tim, Maybe you didn't read the thread on trailer winch's thoroughly. I do not put my trailers in deep and with the aid of a keel roller and winch, the boat will almost match the angle of the trailer so when pulled it will be on the bunks. The boat will also sit tight against the bow stop when pulled out.

Alan, The brochure picture was just an example, I agree with you as to having the fenders 2" above water levels seems just right for my 88.

Pete, like I said in my previous post, everyones situation is different. The main ramp that I use is on a backwater off of a river. It actually helps to power load to keep silt from building up at the end of the ramp. As you know the aft end of the boat will slide off deeper when backing off a trailer as opposed to when it is totally floating. The hole at the end of the ramp allows us to get the boat off of the trailer with out sticking it into the mud.

Tim, been loading a CC this way for 30 years and have not put one on the fender yet. Even thou the brochure shows the trailer a little too deep, just watch the bow stop and as long as you are lined up square the boat will be straight on the trailer.

Tim, The keel rollers I put on my trailers are built up from parts from a trailer supply like etrailer.com I've gotten the rollers, shafts and brackets from them and then it is bolted to a piece of 3" channel that is "U" bolted to the frame. Not much but it is like night and day with loading.