Trailer questions

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

that trailer is quite a bit too short for that boat.

The 10% rule I use for trailer length is that a boat trailer needs to be the length of the boat PLUS 10% minimum

Having that much overhang on a boat with the engine in the rear (IE outboard, I/O or V drive) is a really good way to end up with a hook in the hull and a ruined boat.

Get those rollers within a few inches of the transom.

You need a 22' trailer minimum for a 20' boat...

Then yes you also need to get tongue weight right... I like 10-15%

Smoke nailed it. That trailer is way to short, and for the reason he mentioned. There is a phenomena called cupping. Basically, it happens when a boat sits on a trailer that's too short for a long time. The weight of the boat presses down onto the rollers (or boards) and actually puts a bend in the bottom of the hull in the unsupported stern. That in turn will act like extended trim tabs, creating drag and constantly trying to bury the bow in the water. In severe cases it will actually make the boat undrivable at high speed. If the boat is going to live in a slip most of it's life than I'd grudgingly say okay to your trailer, but if it's going to live it's life on the trailer than by all means get a different one.

The last rollers should touch the transom, or be very (1"-2") close to it. Once the boat is sitting on the trailer properly, then you adjust the axles either forward or rear to achieve the proper tongue weight. Finally, you then adjust the front bow post to cradle the bow when she is winched onboard.

Your trailer is undersized for what you are asking it to do. I'm sorry, but it's just too short, and I'd suspect that your trailer springs are too light for your boat's weight, making safe trailering impossible.

[smokeonthewater]

add to that the fact that living in the slip means NOT sitting on the trailer all winter...... 6 months is WAY too long to be improperly supported.

[randlemanboater]

BUT, you can make it work for now by replacing the rear rollers with bunks. Mount them right on the swivels for the rollers and make them long enough to support the rear of the boat.

Just a thought.

[smokeonthewater]

they wouldn't be supporting anything... If they flex only 1/4" then the hull will be distorted enough to be damaged

[step up here]

Go bunk! Lots of threads on here like Genie Aye shows conversion. Drive on drive off with ease. Also offers better support of boat.IMO

[Genie Aye]

Originally Posted by step up here

Go bunk! Lots of threads on here like Genie Aye shows conversion. Drive on drive off with ease. Also offers better support of boat.IMO

The trailer looks like it is for a 17 or 18' boat maybe. You will find out when you get going about 60mph.
The pictures are in modifications section I believe. My computer with the pictures is in getting fixed.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Genie Aye

The trailer looks like it is for a 17 or 18' boat maybe. You will find out when you get going about 60mph.

Agreed. The fact it's hanging 2' (23" by your own measurement) off the back tells me that the trailer is designed for an 18 footer at best. Just because you can physically get a 20 footer on it does not mean it's a trailer designed for a 20 foot boat. Whoever told you that they had a 21 footer on it was either lying to you, or was just plain ignorant of what size trailer they should have had.