boat is too far forward on the trailer

[davestlouis]

How can I move the boat farther back on the trailer without dipping it in the lake?  Any helpful hints?

[davestlouis]

Let me throw this out there...someone please tell me if this will work.  Floor jack under the keel to lift the boat a smidge, roll the trailer forward, drop the boat(gently) onto the bunks.

[multimedia_smith]

Sure, you could try this:  My jack is only a two ton.  here's a pic

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=305

Brace the sides or preferably have someone assist you... once the hull is clear of the bunks you can roll the trailer back a few inches at a time.

Or you could place longer blocks on the rollers and then push it back until the blocks fall past the rollers and the hull is once more directly resting on the rollers.

Be careful!
Dale

[Paul]

I'd like to add that according to a trailer sailor handbook, you'd like the tongue weight to be around 100-130 lbs.  This can be measured using a bathroom scale.  I made this measurement at the trailer hitch height by using a bucket turned upsidedown.  Happened to be the right height for me.  If your boat is too far back, the tongue weight will be too light and cause the boat/trailer to fishtail.  You certianly don't want that at speed on the highway.  On the other hand, when the tongue weight is too heavy, two potential things can happen:   1)  the back of the tow vehicle sets too low, causing strain on the vehicle and 2)  lifting the tongue to hitch to the tow vehicle may cause back strain.  Don't ask me how I know.   (twice)

Hope this inforamtion helps.  Please you good body mechanics when lifting heavy loads.   More than likely, most folks boats are properly set on their trailers.  However, if you have tow vehicle problems or trailering problems, it's certainly worth investigating the matter.  The P.O. of our CP-16 moved the boat forward on the trailer.  When he did, a "tan line" was left where the bow post had been.