Roller Guide On's

T

Tug

New member
I remember seeing a post about ..Cabala's Deluxe Roller Guide On's..i just found this picture i think was the one referred to:

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb3 ... de-Ons.jpg

I have large bunk guides but they do not seem to do a great job of centering my boat. I was wondering how much help do these guides do in loading your boat, are the size large the one's to buy and are they recommended. Thanks Tug
 
Just thought I'd toss this low tech solution out there...

I've seen many a post here about various centering setups. For me - I've never had a need, either on a 22 with bunks or a 16 with rollers or bunks.

Truth is, these boats just don't weigh that much. For those of you reasonably fit, using a little elbow grease and rhythm is all it takes once the boat is high and dry on the trailer - as long as the bunks/rollers are wet.

Don't try and get it all at once - simply start pushing at the back end, using the momentum of the boat to your advantage...push a little harder each time it springs back, followed by a stiff push after 3-4 rocking motions. I can easily move a 16 by myself doing this, the 22 is a tad tougher - but it just moves less with each shove. With a second set of hands on the 22 it's a piece of cake as well.

Probably not an option for a 25.
 
Dave.. yes, i seen your centering system. It is very good but i thought that you had fabricated this set-up yourself and i was not available in a kit. Tug
 
Hey Tug,
The guide on bunks should work excellently. Maybe they are set too low for your ramp slope.
They can be fastened at the top of the box channel, instead of the bottom.

Cheers
Stefan
 
I too have the original ez-loader guideons...just tall posts. I had thought about replacing them with the side boards, but two issues came up. One, the boat (CD-22) is a bit wider in the center, and two, as pointed out to me by a trailer builder, the side bunks tend to be lower than the bars, and may be under water depending upon where you place the trailer in the water. In the end, I have just left the original guide posts alone. I find I don't need to put the trailer any farther in the water than just barely dunking the very front of the bunk boards, and most the time the boat is close enuf to center once I winch it on. Otherwise, my wife just hold the boat close to center as I pull out. I suspect any post system on the back is not going to perfectly center the boat, due again to the boat being wider in the center than it is in the stern. Colby
 
The next i have my boat on the trailer i will move the bunk guides to the top of the trailer channel. I not sure but i think i looked at this before and thought that the boat's hull would come in contact with the bunk's support tube.They will be in this week so i will post the results. Thanks Tug
 
I tried the Cabela Guides but ended up returning them.

I can't recall the details, the I seem to recall that they conflicted with some of the in-place hardware on the trailer, so I decided not to use them afterall.

Best,
Casey
Cape Cruiser "Katmai"
 
I am kinda with DaNag.... it really does not weigh that much so that if your an inch or so off, you can move it over, (while it is wet)..most of the time it centers itself so well I don't bother...just going down the road it will usuaally center itself...it does bounce a bit on the trailer...when I go long distance I use the rear tie-downs .... I also have changed my front strap several times.....

I use a Chain and shackle at the bow hook... I don't want it to climb on top of my truck in case of an accident..I have seen pictures of boats that have done that...not good.. I actually have two chains...with cleavis ends hook to the bow eye...one from just under the winch, and another that comes up from the trailer frame and hooks to the bow eye...both are strong and safe...also keeps the boat from sliding off...I don't trust those straps.

Joel
SEA3PO... Not being used this summer much.
KEA the working tug..in the water and working like a tug should...hard.
 
On Kea because I launch and retrieve it in all sorts of weather and in strong wind, I had a local welder put a 5' piece of pipe on the frame on each side as a guide and then I put a piece of PVC pipe over that to use as a roller... it keeps the back centered and holds it in place while I winch it up onto the trailer...the tug is deep and heavy and in a wind was hard to center... works just fine.. normally the tug is in the water on Lake Almanor all summer...I actually have requests from lake front owners for the tug to sit in back of their homes....it is very popular.. and loveable..we often use it for wine and cheese tours in the evening...and I have it booked in Sept. for a wedding ....I will pick up the bride and groom at their dock after the reception and wisk them away...(to the launch ramp 2 miles away)... I plan on wearing my tux and top hat.....and shorts...may polish my boots for that occasion.
 
I wouldn't try to move my boat an inch, probably would end up in the emergency with a broken back..I was going to have some guides welded to the frame like High Tide did, but i thought i would try this first to see if it worked out. Picking the roller guides up tomorrow and will let you know if they are worth anything. Tug
 
Picked up my roller guides today and was eager to install them on my boat which i had brought home from the marina.Opened the box and went through the parts list...four of the backing plates were missing.I called Cabala's customer service but it must of been after 5:00 PM because i got someone from .." who knows where " ..and only got , we will notifly the manufactures.I will call tomorrow and try to find out when i will get the missing parts...Tug
 
Called Cabala's and they will replace my kit, they are sending me a new Roller Guide but i had to buy it minus the shipping and when i send the old incomplete kit back they will refund me. I still can't see how they sent me the Deluxe Roller Guide Ons and forget to put 4 backing plates in the box.These are made in the Usa and one would presume that there is some kind of Quality Control in place to catch these mistakes. Hopefully i will get it next week and will put it on my trailer. Will post a picture when it is complete. Tug
 
I have done DaNags method many times. It helps to have the trailer parked so that the direction you are moving the boat to is on the downhill side of the slide.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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