Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by brorobin on 07/16/12 - 7:41 PM

Could anyone that has these type of trailer guides with a 13, give me a measurement of how far they extend above the rubrail on your 13. I see heights of anywhere from 36 inches to 60 inches, which I assume is overall height. I'm making my own with 1 1/2 inch galvanized conduit sweeps and 1 1/2 PVC (used heat gun to expand the PVC and insert the sweeps) and I've need to cut off the excess PVC pipe and would like some sort of consensus before I get the saw going.

Posted by Turpin on 07/16/12 - 7:51 PM

I made my on as well. I was having problems seeing the empty trailer when backing down the ramp so I made them fairly tail, unfortunately I'll have to get back with you on this in the morning with the measurement above the gunnels.
Here's a picture to give you some idea as to how tail, this typically gives me about 5"-7" above the gunnel when loading the boat on the steepest ramps.
http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r4...5e5cc4.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r4...5e5cc4.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r4...3282fe.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r4...3282fe.jpg

I know they look kinda tall but it was just what I needed.

(Edit: we don't use IMG for links.reprised all the codes~ Phil T)

Edited by Turpin on 07/16/12 - 8:03 PM

Posted by spuds on 07/26/12 - 2:48 PM

Mine simply slips over the metal upright on the trailer and floats upward the deeper the trailer goes into the water. No set height really, just make them high enough that you can see them from your vehicle.

Posted by Turpin on 07/28/12 - 12:42 AM

My guides set about 18" above the gunnells with boat on the trailer. This has worked great regardless of ramp angles and 1 to 2 inches will be plenty of gap.
One other point would be, it makes loading easiest for me having a wide roller being the first roller my keel touches. I have even though about a self centering roller just before the bunks as that is typically the first roller I hit.

Edited by Turpin on 07/28/12 - 12:46 AM

Posted by Binkie on 07/28/12 - 9:58 AM

I built my own trailer guides for my 13 footer. They stick up 24" above the gunwale. I can see the guides easily when backing down the empty trailer and if the ramp is steep and the trailer goes deeper, there is still enough length that the rails are not buried. Here is another thing you can do. Buy s couple of lengths of wooden closet pole and drop them down inside the PVC tube before you cap it off. It stiffens the poles considerably.

rich

Posted by geoellis on 08/17/12 - 7:19 AM

Binkie wrote:
I built my own trailer guides for my 13 footer. They stick up 24" above the gunwale. I can see the guides easily when backing down the empty trailer and if the ramp is steep and the trailer goes deeper, there is still enough length that the rails are not buried. Here is another thing you can do. Buy s couple of lengths of wooden closet pole and drop them down inside the PVC tube before you cap it off. It stiffens the poles considerably.

rich

How did you fasten them to the trailer?

Posted by CES on 08/17/12 - 8:21 AM

My PVC guides are 42 inches tall. I can easily see them when the trailer is deep enough for the boat to float on and off the trailer. The PVC guides are a "Must have" item if you frequently use a ramp that is perpendicular to the prevailing winds in your area..... cross winds.