Does listing affect loading on trailer?

C

C-Val

Member
Hi Everyone

For quite a while I have been struggling getting my 22 angler to load straight on the trailer. The stern consistently loads over to the port side of the trailer about 1 inch. I have measured the two bunks that hold it and they are dead parallel to the frame of the trailer.

As it happens I just got back from 2 weeks in the Gulf islands and measured the "slime" line on the boat before I washed it. The boat lists to starboard with a 3" difference from the port side. (starboard 1.5" down from centre and port 1.5" up from centre)

That got me thinking if my list is affecting my loading on the trailer and the cause of the back of the boat being offcentre to port once on the trailer

Is this a reasonable assumption?
Thank you for your thoughts.
 
My guess is it's wind/current that's the culprit. I fight the issue as well. Using pool noodles between hull and guide to keep it straight. I've used a 2x4 to cautiously lever it over on wet bunks...
 
C-Val":2jw4wk1d said:
Hi Everyone


As it happens I just got back from 2 weeks in the Gulf islands and measured the "slime" line on the boat before I washed it. The boat lists to starboard with a 3" difference from the port side.

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Click to expand...

I think you may have found the culprit if the boat always loads to the same side. Sounds like it's time to move some stuff around?
 
Mine moves to the starboard every single time so I have a carpeted 2X4 that I tie to the side board that hold it while I pull out works very good. Others have done the same so I used there idea. The 2X4 is screwed to a strip of 1/2" plywood that is about 2" long on each end. I tie the plywood side to the side board with a short piece of 1/4" rope.
 
jkidd":o6wq3vv2 said:
Mine moves to the starboard every single time so I have a carpeted 2X4 that I tie to the side board that hold it while I pull out works very good. Others have done the same so I used there idea. The 2X4 is screwed to a strip of 1/2" plywood that is about 2" long on each end. I tie the plywood side to the side board with a short piece of 1/4" rope.
Click to expand...



Photos?
 
I think the listing would have an effect on the loading as well! But that aside, wind and current would affect it too. I find sometimes it helps to get the bunks wet, then pull the trailer out a little more than normal and powerload. (Be careful where you do that; not everywhere allows power loading.) Or just use the bow winch if I can't powerload. That tends to center the boat on properly installed bunks. Otherwise, most often I'll have my wife hold the boat centered as I slowly pull out (next to a dock), or when solo, if it's calm and the boat is just slowly swinging back and forth, wait till it swings to the middle, then quickly pull it out. With a little wind, I've also used the aft lines to wrap around the PVC pipes on the trailer to keep the boat centered. If all else fails, with little gas in the tanks and a light load in the cockpit, just man handle it (push) it to center after I've pulled it out. I do have the PVC pipes on the back of the trailer to help center the boat, but they are approximately 1" away from the hull when the boat is centered. Colby
 
Mine sometimes loads crooked. Just back it into the water again till the boat floats a bit and either give it a shove or pull out slowly and let the boat settle properly. Pulling out slowly usually does the trick for me.
 
Thank you everyone for your input!

This discussion has been very helpful. I will try these tricks you have suggested. Apparently it seems a fairly common issue for many of us!

Its been a lesson in physics for me just trying to think this thing through!
 
The slight inequality of weight will make little difference--maybe a slightly greater tire wear. Even when the boats are strapped down, they will shift a little going down the road. I would not worry about an inch or two.

As far as permanent list--it can be corrected, or you can live with it and trim it out. (Both moving items, or trim tabs.) I have a small level glued to the console for athwartship trim, and one to the cabin side above the engine controls for the fore and aft trim.
 
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