Bow Stop

[MildBill]

My Hunter 240 came with single-axle Magic-Tilt Trailer that is pretty well mated to the boat. Have towed the boat from east coast to folk's house on Lake of the Ozarks both this year and last and it trailers very well; HOWEVER (Hunter take note), I have one deficiency to point out and I'm looking for ideas beyond my own imagination to remedy it. The bow stop is one large roller that presents a single pressure point to take the strains of bumps in the road or, like last year, a hard stomp on the brakes from 60 mph to not run over the $#@%*^& twit who (no signal) cut in front of me trying to make an exit off-ramp at the same time another was taking it from my right side (been a while previously and since then that I could have killed someone with my bare hands). Anyway, that single-point pressure has forced me to twice repair the leading edge of the bow where the glass has broken or cracked just above the bow eye. I've been thinking of having an elongated vee-shaped receiver fabricated to match bow shape at a metal shop and covered with rubber and/or carpet that will replace the roller, but guess that could be rather pricey. I've also seen another trailer-sailor's rig that has a two-roller stop, one at either end of a 13-16" metal arm, but then I just have two points vice one... not that much improvement. Anyone else had similar experience or another idea for the fix?

 

[Tom Fuller]

Trailer Bow Stop

Here's an idea to protect your bow while trailering. Install an eyebolt bow anchor on the trailer tongue and cinch down the bow against the bow roller. That way you won't have any up and down or back and forth pressure play on the bow as it rests on the roller. Also, use a V-shaped bow stop instead of a roller (more suface area and less tendency for the bow to move). Go to the site below and start with pages 20 and 21. Hope this helps.

 

[MildBill]

Bow Tie-down

Did have bow tie down to minimize shifting... figure that is what kept the damage to a minimum. When the conditions are right, well, make that wrong, there is a lot of inertia in 2300 pounds of boat on that single point. I also have a large strap over top of the boat at the aft sling points to keep trailer and boat well mated together going over bumps or potholes that you can't see in time or are unable to dodge. Thanks for site point-out; will start there.