trailer keel guide question

[crazycarl]

we bought our 19 this past spring and because of o.t., weddings, and new grandchildren arriving, we have yet to launch her.  i was looking at her on her trailer today and noticed the keel guide ons are not very high.  about 6" above the trailer frame.  are these high enough or will the keel land on them instead?  our last boat's keel guide ons were about 2" below the hull's bottom.

[Glenn Basore]

I think they are fine...........

On my 2006 Eclipse trailer, my keel guides are about 6 inches or so.

As to the keel floating over the guides this will depend on how deep your trailer is in the water and at what angle.

I have had occasions where I had to float the boat forward more before the keel guides would have an effect so when that happens you do have to try and center the boat the best you can and get her forward as much as possible before the keel guides take effect.

Glenn B.

[HideAway]

I'm a believer in having the guides pretty high and solidly built.  Its not a pretty sight when one breaks during loading. Mine are made of 2x6 SYP mounted with 1/4 galv angle.   

We have a difficult ramp with cross winds and current to deal with so I wanted to be able to drive onto the trailer and know the boat is not going to drift off.

I made a video of the construction - just click the link below or search SV HideAway on Utube

The high guides have been a big help--Matt

[Billy]

See Skip's thread on "trailer modifications".

this WAS a BIG problem for me

I have tried to retrieve the boat only to have the keel land on the guides a few times, at different ramps. After shearing off the bolts holding the guides, I replaced the rollers w/ a 2x12 (much like they come from the factory now) and the 2x4 guides w/ 2x8 that "sit" on the keel 2x12 (where the rollers used to be).

I almost tipped my boat over pulling it out one time and decided that was enough. Now b/c the 2x8s are higher and sit on the board below, there is nothing to break. I love it.

I'll try to post some pics this evening when I get home.

Billy

p.s. here is the link to Skip's post....
http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=2905.0

[Billy]

Here are the pics.


I counter sunk the bolts and then put the carpet over them as to not scratch the keel. Also shaved off the ends of the bolts just in case I missed the guide. It works great!



The old brackets were spaced just wide enough apart to get the 2x12 in snug. Then the 2x8 was bolted in. THe weight however is sitting on the 2x12 not the bolts. the bolts just hold it in place.

[Billy]

one more thing, I guess I could have used 2x10s or 12s for the guides, I was just worried that a board that wide might split.

[crazycarl]

I like the bunk over the rollers.  The rollers don't last long before they split from the weight.  I believe I'll do the same to our trailer, however, I'd like to try installing those "sliks" on the bunks and keel guides.  I'm told they glide the boat on and off nicely.

Below is a pic of the trailer from our Stawind 19.  I installed the guides myself and placed them about 2" below the hull.

If anyone is interested, the trailer is for sale.