I've been told by a boat repair shop that rollers like those on the EZ Loader trailers should only be used on boats for which they're supplied by the manufacturer, that the rollers do not provide the necessary support for boats meant to be trailered on bunkers ...
My bunker boards pivot side-to-side: I had a trailer shop create pivoting supports, so that the boards would better conform to the hull shape. Also the leading edges of my bunker boards are beveled, so that there are no hard corners digging into the hull while the boat is on her trailer ... I think the beveled aft edge of the boards, and the fact they pivot, makes loading easier, i.e., eliminates the "board catching the strake" problem ... A couple other nice additions to my trailer are an additional keel roller, and fixed keel guides, welded in place. Nine times out of 10, I can retrieve my M17 with no problems ... I have the old painted Trailrite trailer with the one keel roller (now, in my case, two) ... I like Tod Mills' multiple keel rollers he added to his old Trailrite ... Unrelated to launching and retrieving, I also added a mast carrier, with tie-downs, to the front of my Trailrite, which is a very nice addition ... ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Shenkel To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 11:24 AM Subject: M_Boats: Trailer guides I have purchased the MacGregor 26 trailer guides from the local MacGregor dealer for $75 for the set (pair) for my M17. Unlike a lot of MacGregor parts, these "goal posts" are very strong and are almost an exact fit for the M17. I will post a picture when I get a chance. Note-Mounting requires drilling (4) clearance holes for 5/8" bolts. A little beyond the capabilities of most cordless drills! Secondly, I plan on adding keel guides as a secondary measure. Sometimes when winching the boat on the trailer when I have it too far in the water, the bunks bias on one of the lap strakes and it gets loaded slightly off center. It is simple to re-float and re-center with it winched up, but the keel guides would be foolproof. As a sidebar, EZ Loader Trailers are quite incredible (self centering roller bunks). I have seen boats come onto the trailer almost sideways and get centered correctly. Unfortunately, local experience had been that they also are easy Unloaders as well as several boats have been dumped on the launch ramp or freeway because of casual tie downs or lack of safety straps. Steve Shenkel <>< _/) M 17 263 Arizona _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
