fin-addict Posted May 10, 2021 Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 Grandson in-law is having a problem with the trailer for his 98 18’ Redfisher Lappy. Trailer in very good condition but the Y guide on with the pvc tubes up front has corroded away where the v starts at the post. Thinking of doing away with the v guide on and putting a bow roller in its place or adding forward bunks. States nothing is supporting the front of the sled except for the rear bunks. Concerned with flexing and stringers while trailing. Also needs to know size and placement of forward bunks if going that route. Any recommendations and suggestions would be appreciated. Photos if possible. Thanks muck fellas. 😀👍🙏⚓️Fin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted May 10, 2021 Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 If you put a roller, make it a wide one. While a 6 inch wide roller will support the boat just fine, lining the keel/centerline up with a small roller everytime while loading will be a challenge. Have seen many of keel get scarred from the roller brackets. The centering "V" is very effective and in my opinion is the way to go, the keel has no choice but to fall in the center of it everytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted May 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 55 minutes ago, MuddyBottomBluz said: If you put a roller, make it a wide one. While a 6 inch wide roller will support the boat just fine, lining the keel/centerline up with a small roller everytime while loading will be a challenge. Have seen many of keel get scarred from the roller brackets. The centering "V" is very effective and in my opinion is the way to go, the keel has no choice but to fall in the center of it everytime. Thanks, how about a keel roller to support the bow and the v for centering. Trying to help the kid out. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted May 10, 2021 Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 Who is the trailer manufacturer? Certainly they should be able to supply you with "factory installed parts"! (sorry i had too! :-) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted May 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 Lap, Have not the faintest idea. It’s not the parts. He just needs to replace the V bow guide and was wondering if there was something better to support the bow. The V is only a guide not a support.Thanks for the response 👍fin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted May 10, 2021 Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 This your problem? https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Boat-Trailer-V-Guide-On-Replacement-Bow-Catcher_p_650.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coto Posted May 10, 2021 Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 My vote is for the smaller type centering bunks up front if you can do it. I don' know his trailer or how it's set up but if he can do that it's a great option. Some of the trailers I have had only had the two bunks at the rear and it stunk getting it loaded. My last two trailers have had the four bunks, the ones forward for centering and it makes loading so much easier along with the benefit of the added support. With the Peterson trailer I have now my center bunks go the full length, you can be blind drunk with a 50mph crosswind and load with no problem once you hit those centering bunks. Ask Dino, he went from an EZ Loader two bunker to an Ameritrail with centering bunks and his MA that has that sharp entry is cradled like a baby. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted May 11, 2021 Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 5 hours ago, Coto said: My vote is for the smaller type centering bunks up front if you can do it. I don' know his trailer or how it's set up but if he can do that it's a great option. Some of the trailers I have had only had the two bunks at the rear and it stunk getting it loaded. My last two trailers have had the four bunks, the ones forward for centering and it makes loading so much easier along with the benefit of the added support. With the Peterson trailer I have now my center bunks go the full length, you can be blind drunk with a 50mph crosswind and load with no problem once you hit those centering bunks. Ask Dino, he went from an EZ Loader two bunker to an Ameritrail with centering bunks and his MA that has that sharp entry is cradled like a baby. This all day.^^^^^ That sharp entry at the wrong angle will peel gel coat. No V guide and no roller is my policy. You won't see one on a Ameritrail trailer for a reason. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted May 11, 2021 Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 I don't have a lappy but its similar and use a standard venture trailer. I use centering bunks as mentioned above. Once loaded you want the weight on the 2 main bunks though as the front ones are not really load bearing. I can try to take a picture when I pull the boat off the trailer in a little. Also, properly set up, I can launch my boat without putting the hubs in the water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rckeat Posted May 11, 2021 Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 I just replaced the V guide on my trailer (pictured a few posts earlier by DonV) with centering bunks. I ordered the parts from Loadmaster who manufactured my trailer. Much better setup and better on the keel. I thought it would be a 1 hour job, but I was wrong again. But the effort was worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted May 11, 2021 Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted May 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 18 hours ago, DonV said: This your problem? https://www.sturdybuiltonline.com/Boat-Trailer-V-Guide-On-Replacement-Bow-Catcher_p_650.html Yes the post has rotted away. But that lends no support to the bow and that is his concern. He may be overthink thinking this. My trailers have had fwd bunks for additional support but they have been bigger boats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted May 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 16 hours ago, Coto said: My vote is for the smaller type centering bunks up front if you can do it. I don' know his trailer or how it's set up but if he can do that it's a great option. Some of the trailers I have had only had the two bunks at the rear and it stunk getting it loaded. My last two trailers have had the four bunks, the ones forward for centering and it makes loading so much easier along with the benefit of the added support. With the Peterson trailer I have now my center bunks go the full length, you can be blind drunk with a 50mph crosswind and load with no problem once you hit those centering bunks. Ask Dino, he went from an EZ Loader two bunker to an Ameritrail with centering bunks and his MA that has that sharp entry is cradled like a baby. Could not agree with you more. 👍👍👍👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted May 11, 2021 Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 17 hours ago, Coto said: My vote is for the smaller type centering bunks up front if you can do it. I don' know his trailer or how it's set up but if he can do that it's a great option. Some of the trailers I have had only had the two bunks at the rear and it stunk getting it loaded. My last two trailers have had the four bunks, the ones forward for centering and it makes loading so much easier along with the benefit of the added support. With the Peterson trailer I have now my center bunks go the full length, you can be blind drunk with a 50mph crosswind and load with no problem once you hit those centering bunks. Ask Dino, he went from an EZ Loader two bunker to an Ameritrail with centering bunks and his MA that has that sharp entry is cradled like a baby. Can you please post pictures? I have a Peterson trailer with only two bunks that I am struggling to adjust now to load/unload easily. Also a side shot to see the attitude of the boat relative to the trailer, think the bow is too low on the trailer as is, but not sure. Current setup. Sorry for the derail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coto Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 Sorry NC was busy but here are the pics This is how she sits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernWake Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 On 5/11/2021 at 9:07 AM, NCTribute said: Can you please post pictures? I have a Peterson trailer with only two bunks that I am struggling to adjust now to load/unload easily. Are you using silicone spray? a good coat and you can about push your boat off by hand in the parking lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 47 minutes ago, SouthernWake said: Are you using silicone spray? a good coat and you can about push your boat off by hand in the parking lot. I have put it on the rear half, but think I need to put it on the entire bunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 you are putting it on backwards spray the front to reduce friction but do not spray the back as it lifts off trailer when backed in. This will also help keep it on the trailer while backing in. Either way keep the front strap/safety chain on until in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 3 hours ago, smilemaker said: you are putting it on backwards spray the front to reduce friction but do not spray the back as it lifts of trailer when backed in. This will also help keep it on the trailer while backing in. Either way keep the front strap/safety chain on until in the water. Absolutely keep the safety chain on. Thought I'd try the spray myself a few years ago, had no idea it was so slick!! First time using it I was backing down the boat as I always do and noticed it was sliding very slowly off the trailer going down the ramp, I kept the same speed down to the water and did NOT touch the brake. As it turned out it all went well, however watching the boat slide slowly off the trailer by itself will give you serious "pucker power" 😬 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 I like Coto's setup. My new Continental is similar, with 4 bunks for the best support over a larger surface area, but also a guide roller on the keel up front between the bunks and the bow stop. The guide roller will save you from hitting the bow stop at the wrong height, if you back the trailer in a little too deep at the ramp. Learned that the hard way, and paid for some gel-coat repair because of it. My Ameratrail for my Hewes RF 16 came with only two bunks and no guide roller up front. I am currently swapping out the factory guide roller on the Continental with a much larger 8" Stoltz V-roller for added support: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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