My father who is a life-long fisherman and owner of many fishing boats took one look at my 170 and made the comment that he felt the boat was going to be hard to get back on the trailer and that I should buy some trailer guides. So, with all due respect to my father, what has been the experience of those of you that have the 170. Is it hard to get it aligned properly and sitting on the bunks when you bring it out of the water?
Retrieving a 170.
- Thread starter TimHayes
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Listen to old dad !
I use the slats that are carpeted and bolt right to the trailer frame. they are soild and low profile at about $100.00.........I did try the pvc pipe, they are okay for guides, but I like the bunk side slats for additional suport from side to side motion when the boat is riding on the trailer. I tow my boat every where at distance of 50 miles or more, the boat and trailer bounce a lot on these poor roads here in southern California. The pot holes are so big one might drive into one and never be seen again ! Getting the boat back on the trailer is a piece of cake with the guides or the bunks sides. they are worth the money, especially if you sail solo and launch and retrive your boat your self. I have pictures of the bunk sides(I got from West Marine)if you would like to see them.......I dont know how to post them here sorry. send and e-mail to me if you would like to see them. Glenn glenn.basore@medtronic.com
I use the slats that are carpeted and bolt right to the trailer frame. they are soild and low profile at about $100.00.........I did try the pvc pipe, they are okay for guides, but I like the bunk side slats for additional suport from side to side motion when the boat is riding on the trailer. I tow my boat every where at distance of 50 miles or more, the boat and trailer bounce a lot on these poor roads here in southern California. The pot holes are so big one might drive into one and never be seen again ! Getting the boat back on the trailer is a piece of cake with the guides or the bunks sides. they are worth the money, especially if you sail solo and launch and retrive your boat your self. I have pictures of the bunk sides(I got from West Marine)if you would like to see them.......I dont know how to post them here sorry. send and e-mail to me if you would like to see them. Glenn glenn.basore@medtronic.com
Using Mostly Stock Bunks
I sail my 170 on an inland lake, so I don't know if this helps. My 170 trailer has carpeted bunks that I added the plastic glide rails to (from West Marine). This makes it easier for me to slide the boat off the trailer at the ramp (shallow angle, so unless I want to back my car all the way up to the hood, the boat is barely in the water when I push off). They also make it easier to pull the boat back on. I havre pulled the boat onto the trailer in a pretty strong cross wind with no trouble. I might look into some kind of a side guide, but so far have not had any problems with the "stock" bunks. Carl.
I sail my 170 on an inland lake, so I don't know if this helps. My 170 trailer has carpeted bunks that I added the plastic glide rails to (from West Marine). This makes it easier for me to slide the boat off the trailer at the ramp (shallow angle, so unless I want to back my car all the way up to the hood, the boat is barely in the water when I push off). They also make it easier to pull the boat back on. I havre pulled the boat onto the trailer in a pretty strong cross wind with no trouble. I might look into some kind of a side guide, but so far have not had any problems with the "stock" bunks. Carl.
Dad's pretty smart
Your dad is right on. The 170 is so light that if there is any wind at all, it's difficult to keep it lined up straight while loading. I usually try to pick the ramp with the dock to windward so that my wife can position the boat with the dock lines while I winch. There, now that I've made it sound so difficult, it really isn't that bad. The good news is that it moves easily on the trailer after it's out of the water. I usually give it a shove to one side if it's not lined up just right. JerryA
Your dad is right on. The 170 is so light that if there is any wind at all, it's difficult to keep it lined up straight while loading. I usually try to pick the ramp with the dock to windward so that my wife can position the boat with the dock lines while I winch. There, now that I've made it sound so difficult, it really isn't that bad. The good news is that it moves easily on the trailer after it's out of the water. I usually give it a shove to one side if it's not lined up just right. JerryA
Thanks!
All, Thanks for your responses. As always your insight is greatly appreciated. I am still deciding which modification I will add to the boat to assist in retrieving the boat. For those of you who offered to share pictures of your modifications, that would be great. If you have time you can send them to my email at timothy.hayes@eon-us.com. Even though I am an "old man" myself with a wife, kids, mortgage and all the ususal stresses. I still take my fathers advice on many matters including boating. His 40+ years on the water offer a lot of advice you can't always find in books. There isn't a good replacement for "Time on the water." And he has plenty of that! Thanks again, Tim Hayes
All, Thanks for your responses. As always your insight is greatly appreciated. I am still deciding which modification I will add to the boat to assist in retrieving the boat. For those of you who offered to share pictures of your modifications, that would be great. If you have time you can send them to my email at timothy.hayes@eon-us.com. Even though I am an "old man" myself with a wife, kids, mortgage and all the ususal stresses. I still take my fathers advice on many matters including boating. His 40+ years on the water offer a lot of advice you can't always find in books. There isn't a good replacement for "Time on the water." And he has plenty of that! Thanks again, Tim Hayes
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