Proper Position of Boat on Trailer |
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1987SN2001 ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: October-16-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 48 |
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My 1987 Ski Nautique 2001 boat trailer has that adjustable front bow stop. The prop is aligned with the prop guard, but the back of the boat over hangs the back of the trailer. Is that the correct position? I have been told several variations of the proper tongue weight from 50 to 300 lbs (quite a range). Anybody out there have an idea? Perhaps just a simple distance in inches the back of the boat should over hang?
Thank you in advance. 1987 Ski Nautique |
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Hollywood ![]() Moderator Group ![]() ![]() Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13523 |
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tongue weight should be 10%, your boat weighs ~2400 dry, so maybe a total of 3500 lb
Your boat position sounds fine |
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dans ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: March-23-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 187 |
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I moved mine up an removed the spare tire to my truck bed when towing.I don't have a prop guard, but I like how my boat doesn't hang over as far.My prop has never hit.My truck is a silverado & can tow 8500 lbs ,so I'm not worried about a little extra tounge weight on my 6500 lb frame hitch.Thanks ,Dan
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Hollywood ![]() Moderator Group ![]() ![]() Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13523 |
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The reason for the 10% is for handling issues, but sounds like your setup works so go with it. You're better off with too much tongue weight, too little and you'll be swaying all bouncing down the road.
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81nautique ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5817 |
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Hollywood is right on the 10% for handling reasons. When you see those trailers fishtailing down the road they're not weighted properly.
You'd never see an outboard boat hanging off the end of the trailer like many of the inboards do. That would eventually cause the transom to sag and form a hook in the hull and would cause porposing. There's really no weight on the transom of an inboard to worry about so the overhang is fine although it doesn't look it. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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stang72 ![]() Platinum Member ![]() ![]() Joined: July-31-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1608 |
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Agree with those answers! If your set up trails well...no need to make a change.
If yours bounces or sways...move it a few inches. I moved mine up a few inches because there was some bouncing...that solved it! Just 2 or 3 inches will change things quite a bit. |
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gn6027 ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: October-15-2006 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 192 |
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My '87 hangs over the bunks about 6-8" (from memory) on a CC trailer. I can get a better dimension if you want, but the weight at the tounge is the key.
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GN6027
1987 Ski Nautique 2001 |
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Darrel ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: June-16-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 340 |
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[QUOTE=1987SN2001] Perhaps just a simple distance in inches the back of the boat should over hang?
I dont think there is a "simple distance" everyones trailer/boat are going to be a little different. My boat sits right at the end of the bunks, no overhang. Many overhang and thats correct on their application. I think everyone just has to tune their boat to their trailer and tow vehicle. In short, everyones advice above is correct. |
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Waterdog ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: April-27-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2020 |
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10% tongue wt. is spot on, also I try to tow
with as little fuel in the boat as possible. |
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bkhallpass ![]() Grand Poobah ![]() ![]() Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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87,
Looking at the photos of your boat, it appears the axle is centered under your motor which is exactly how those trailers are designed. If you need to adjust the tongue weight, I'd say you couldn't be off more than a couple of inches. BKH |
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Livin' the Dream
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1987SN2001 ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: October-16-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 48 |
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Thanks for all of your replies. My tongue weight is 250 lbs. That is slightly over the 10%. However, the trailer handles well on the road. I was concerned about the over-hang on the back. You all answered that question as well. Thanks again.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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dans ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: March-23-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 187 |
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My boat hung over like this guys when I bought it.I moved it to here.Both pulled great, I just didn't like it hanging off. I really need fenders!!! Dan
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Hollywood ![]() Moderator Group ![]() ![]() Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13523 |
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Hey Alan it's taken me a long time to stumble upon this post. I've been wanting to bring this issue back up since I see lots of outboard boats on lifts around us here (specifically Hydrodynes that I look out for), as well as kapla's dry boat storage pics. This can't be good! I'd imagine bouncing down the road would do more damage to the transom of an o/b if not fully supported underneath rather than just laying up on a lift or dry dock. ![]() |
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