Trailer Bow Bracket Question

[LarryA]

What is wrong with the upper bracket on this trailer? I had to bend it upward and it keeps drawing down against the top of the bow eye while pulling the rubber V stop out of place. ?It seems like the winch has to draw the boat forward then down when I load it up. After driving from the ramp to the parking area to finish securing the boat is always moved reward about 3 or 4 inches away from the stop and higher in the front than it should be. I am using a turnbuckle for a safety attachmet and with the bar bending I can't tighten the turnbuckle and the rubber V stop is getting screwed up. It almost looks like the upper trailer bar was homemade from a piece of steel bar stock.
Ideas would be appreciated on how to correct this. I do need to reple the carpet on the bunks (or the entire set of bunks) and it does need new keel rollers.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[bassboy1]

I think you have too much boat for the amount of support holding the vee block. I have seen those used on 12 foot jons, not 18 foot Starcrafts (that boat is a Starcraft, right? Looks like the correct bow seam for one). As far as the boat moving back, are you using the turnbuckle when pulling out? If not, I bet it is just the strap tightening up around the winch drum. Quite a common occurance, as it loosens up when sitting. That is why you will see me tighten mine down VERY snugly at the ramp, because it will loosen up a bit before I reach the house. The tighter I get it at the ramp, the less slack left in it.

 

[LarryA]

I think you have too much boat for the amount of support holding the vee block. I have seen those used on 12 foot jons, not 18 foot Starcrafts (that boat is a Starcraft, right? Looks like the correct bow seam for one). As far as the boat moving back, are you using the turnbuckle when pulling out? If not, I bet it is just the strap tightening up around the winch drum. Quite a common occurance, as it loosens up when sitting. That is why you will see me tighten mine down VERY snugly at the ramp, because it will loosen up a bit before I reach the house. The tighter I get it at the ramp, the less slack left in it.

The boat is a 1990 14' Lowe V hull. What happens is that after I pull out at the ramp, the strap loosens up and the boat slides back the trailer a few inches. Once I get to the parking area and retighten the strap, with the winch, it seems to pretty much stay put. I use the turnbuckle to hold the boat against the stop while towing only. I just wonder if I should make or purchase something to replace the upper bracket that is there. It seems that it is not rigid enough and flexes too easily. I'd guess that I'm going to need to replace the rubber bow stop also. I guess that I have to come up with something because this doesn't seem to be working.

 

[SlimeTime]

I'd replace the V-block with a V-roller, atleast it'll stop popping it off. I ALWAYS use a safety on the bow, and think everyone should. You never know when your winch could fail. I'd also consider replacing the winch-strap (with a different brand) if you think it's stretching.

ST

 

[LarryA]

A roller, that may be an idea instead of the V stop. I was out studying this thing and think that if I have a piece of flat steel welded to each side of the bracket it will essentially become a U channel and thus should not be able to flex downward. I have to check on the Bow Roller to see if I could mount one without making anymore big changes. I'm only thinking that for a roller, I'd need to either move the whole winch tower section forward or the boat would sit farther back the distance the roller bracket would take up. The V Block on now actually doesn't look as bad as I thought it did, it was more because it was twisted out of position a little and looked like it was shot.
I'd like to block up the boat and pull out th trailer and rework a bunch of stuff on it. Need to rebuild my money stash and then find the time to do it.
Thanks for the replies,
Larry

 

[Broncoman]

Yes you need to weld side supports, as you are talking about or one on the bottom to triangulate the bracket.

 

[Waterwings]

Concur on the angle braces to provide support. As suggested above, you might look into changing the assembly to one that has a roller-type stop on it. If the current piece of "Y" bracket rubber decides to lose a side, the bow of the boat could/will possibly shift to the side, even though you have the safety turnbuckle on it.

Take a look at the rubber piece (looks real similar to your current bow stop) used in the transom saver pic below. Fine for holding a motor, but [imho] not suited well for a boat bow. Just thinking safety here

https://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/...arentType=index&parentId=cat420011&id=0054920

 

[Don't Say]

Try moving the winch to the top of the post and put the bracket under it with a v roller. I'll bet it will work. Get a short piece of chain to use for a safety. :wink: