Trailer adjustment advice---need help please.

Bought a 1959 StarCraft boat with a home-altered 1973 trailer. Bought it from my neighbor (didn't know him well at the time). His fishing buddy had passed away and he has back and leg nerve problems so severe he cannot use it himself. Promised him when I bought it that I would take him out in it.

Five years later....we are great friends, wonderful neighbors, and serious fishing buddies. He cannot walk down the ramps, so he has to be in the boat when we launch. He cannot pull the start rope on the engine to help propel boat off the trailer. I cannot hit brakes hard as that will trigger excruciating pain for him that will take days and lots of meds for him to recover. I also take a ladder with us for him to get into boat at top of ramp while still on level ground.

I usually have to wade almost chest deep in water after backing my rear tires to the very edge of water. Always scared I will go too far, hit the algae and slide my truck into the water. I have to push and pull on the bow to eventually get enough buoyancy to push it away....flip the rope over the trailer lights and pull him over to the floating dock.

What adjustments can I make to make the boat come off the trailer more easily? Bunk bolts are positioned so that I can only lower them about an inch on the ones closer to the bow. The bunk bolts near the stern are already bottomed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Is your buddy in the very rear of the rig? That'll raise the bow a little... How bout contacting a real good welder to see if he can lengthen the trailer tounge ? On public ramps there is seldom enough time for alge to build as to loose that amount of traction in ur truck.... If that were the case... No way you could stand up waist deep and push boat off anyway....slick stuff!

One thing to look at is how are springs mounted. If on top of axle you may be able to mount them under the axle thus dropping trailer a couple of inches. Extend the tongue of trailer. Like Golfpro. Find you a welding shop have them make a new tongue of square tubing with a sliding tube that goes inside. Make it about 3 ft long. Slide it in and pin for towing, slide it out and pin to launch and retrieve boat. Mount dolly on frame back of the extension.

Thanks Charlie,

Yes, he sits in the stern while we launch. And yes, I am holding on to the truck or trailer to stay upright and still almost go for a dip every time. Would raising the bow end of the bunk rails help? I was thinking lowering them the remaining inch might gain buoyancy, but am old enough to realize the exact opposite may be what works in actuality.

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Originally Posted by xgamehoss

Thanks Charlie,

Yes, he sits in the stern while we launch. And yes, I am holding on to the truck or trailer to stay upright and still almost go for a dip every time. Would raising the bow end of the bunk rails help? I was thinking lowering them the remaining inch might gain buoyancy, but am old enough to realize the exact opposite may be what works in actuality.

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Yes look at above info but also look a your bunks Two choices a- replace with rollers maybe $$ and b- either lubricate your bunks or put glide stiks -plastic strips (cabelas/Bass pro) on top of bunk material this should make boat slide like crazy just never never unhook boat from trailer til u got boat in water. Also one of my boat trailers came with bunk boards mounted about 4 inches high off of trailer, I just remounted the bunks with shorter brackets and lowered the boat by a good 3 inches, made a big difference at low water ramps. I did this cause I fell at a boat ramp stepped in water with boots and didn't know the bottom covered with moss/algae a foot or so from shore. I have learned I have to do everything I can to protect my back as it has 2 operations already and a 3rd could mean steel rods to support my spine, would be end of fishing(& probably walking) if that happens.........Also when looking at how your springs are mounted it may or not be cheaper to just buy a used trailer that is lower take unit to a dealer(ask his opinion also) and compare how similar boats sit on trailer, may get some cheaper ideas, another pair of eyes never hurts just cost gas of trip.

You can raise the bow with the hitch if you are using a receiver hitch style, I prolly got 10 different ones that I change around between two trucks.
Lemon pledge will make them bunks slicker, heck I used the off brand. Just spray the bunks down good when you unload and park and again before you load up. Do it a couple of times and it will make a big difference

change the bunks to roller bunks and DO NOT take winch line off bow until in the water.

When you get the trailer in the water tie a long rope to the front of boat make sure the back of the boat is in the water tie the rope to the front of the trailer unhook boat and then back the boat in till it floats pull the truck up so you can get the rope with out getting your feet wet. Then pull the boat over where you can tie off to the dock safely. Go park truck.

I unload this way when fishing by my self, works well.

I use the long rope method as I fish solo a lot. The glide sticks are a good option, but the rollers might add height and cost depending which ones are applied. You can make your own glide sticks from cutting boards too.

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Originally Posted by Jim C.

When you get the trailer in the water tie a long rope to the front of boat make sure the back of the boat is in the water tie the rope to the front of the trailer unhook boat and then back the boat in till it floats pull the truck up so you can get the rope with out getting your feet wet. Then pull the boat over where you can tie off to the dock safely. Go park truck.

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Not worried about getting feet wet....it's the tugging, pushing and pulling with algae under my feet that is the problem. Truck is already backed up with rear truck tires on edge of the algae. So, I have to wrestle the boat to gain buoyancy, push it off the trailer, grab my long rope, flip it over trailer lights, wade over the algae covered ramp while controlling boat and pull it over to floating dock. So, this is not an option.

My buddy did inform me he has ordered some glide sticks (he must be tired of watching me bust my you know what!) so, hopefully that will help. I appreciate all of the input. As bunks are already all of the way down basically...next stop will be the welding shop or try to find another trailer. Thanks, Guys!!

If you are standing chest deep in the water to unload I would think that deep of water would create enough buoyancy to float the boat off of a flatbed 18 wheeler trailer.

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Originally Posted by ATM

If you are standing chest deep in the water to unload I would think that deep of water would create enough buoyancy to float the boat off of a flatbed 18 wheeler trailer.

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That's what is so puzzling to me. Although, it is only to the bottom of my chest and I am pretty short. lol.

If its that deep on you at the bow of the boat where your pushing the back of the boat should be floating way off of the trailer

Thats got to be a steep boat ramp for you to be that deep too lol

Reece makes an extended hitch . Have a welder make you one . How far beyond the bumper is your ball now ? Just looked at it . Google Reece hitches, could add 4 ft. .Mississippi has no combination length for truck/trailer . Theirs cost way to much but a good pattern .

I use trailer slicks that I got from Cabellas. That is the cheaper option and I think it would solve your problem. I put 4 plus the end cap on each of my bunks. I have a 16.5 ft aluminum Tracker and I can push it off the trailer by hand in very little water. It is not a big heavy boat, but it is a console steer with front and rear decks and batteries and 12 gallon gas tank, so it ain't a canoe either. Just keep the winch strap on until you get to the water or you can launch it on the pavement.
SeaRay

How about pictures of truck and trailer sitting on level ground

Good idea, Scotty. My buddy ordered and we received bunk ends and 4 glide sticks. I am going to put them on next time we launch and I get back up to the parking lot. If that doesn't work, I'll post pics. I think it will. It is just an old heavy boat on a home re-worked trailer, probably a little off on the proper angle. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE HELP AND SUGGESTIONS, GUYS. NOW GO CATCH THOSE BIG CRAPPIES!

I maybe talking out of turn here, but if you have a receiver hitch and you put a drop hitch on it would it not drop the front of the trailer. Just a thought.

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Originally Posted by ranger89

I maybe talking out of turn here, but if you have a receiver hitch and you put a drop hitch on it would it not drop the front of the trailer. Just a thought.

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Yep, take the ball off and turn it over, put the ball back on.

UPDATE. My buddy and I went fishing yesterday. He sat patiently in the boat while I climbed the ramp and installed the bunk ends and 3 glide sticks on each bunk (4 each would have covered entire length). I was able to winch the boat onto the trailer a little easier, even though the rollers will need to be raised to match the extra height added by the glide sticks. I have a feeling after I do that, the next launching and re-trailering will go much smoother. Thanks again, everybody.

I applaud you for all the effort it takes to get the boat in the water and still taking your friend fishing. We all should have such good friends. Good luck with the new sliders, hope they do the trick and keep you dry and your buddy fishing. I know also all about the rods and screws to keep your back together. Had that surgery 5 yrs ago, been disabled ever since. Still keep fishing even though it about does me in for a good week.

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Originally Posted by gregsayers2000

I applaud you for all the effort it takes to get the boat in the water and still taking your friend fishing. We all should have such good friends. Good luck with the new sliders, hope they do the trick and keep you dry and your buddy fishing. I know also all about the rods and screws to keep your back together. Had that surgery 5 yrs ago, been disabled ever since. Still keep fishing even though it about does me in for a good week.

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I'm glad you still get out there and fish, Greg. Let me tell you about my fishing buddy. We moved in across the street (rural area) and they were having a garage sale. My wife and I went over and introduced ourselves. Saw the old boat and jokingly said, "is that for sale?" His wife said yes...he just lost his fishing partner to cancer and he is not able to put it into the water himself. The Mariner 8hp engine only had 6 hours on it and he sold me the whole shooting match for $550. It took me 2 years to talk him into going with me...he said he would be bedridden if he did. We can't stay too long when we go...but, we have a heck of a time while we are there. Last week he asked me if I would take him to Cabela's (3-hour drive) ...I said yes because he hadn't been there in 16 years. Two days later he told me had ordered the glide sticks. The box arrives and he sits it front of me and tells me to open it...I see the sticks and start talking about them. When I went to put it back...there was another box in there. It was a Humminbird 597ci HD GPS fish finder!!!! They are wonderful neighbors, so me taking him fishing when I can seems like nothing.