Trailer mods...

[jonboy]

Just got back from a pleasant couple of hours on a breezy lake, spoilt only by the ritual pain of getting the boat back on the trailer.

5 metre runabout with 40 hp outboard, two wheel, break back trailer, with rubber jockey wheels to guide the boat (HAHAHA).
On a breezy day, wind abeam across the boat, if I don't get it right first go, it's back down into the water, try again, boat slewing about and cranking the hand winch like a nutter.
Question... why haven't I seen a sort of vertical pole at each corner of the trailer set-up, to truly steer the boat as I winch it forward. Am I the only one to suffer this problem, does this kind of trailer or modification exist... tell me why I shouldn't do it before I do break out the welder...or any other tips....
I am usually single handed, as the problem is mitigated by having a bunch of helpers, of course.

[cybulski]

I have several trailers with corner poles. Shouldnt be hard to add.

[Woxbox]

You mean this sort of stuff?

http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=220

[jonboy]

Thanks !!! Perfect....We just don't have that kind of retailer here... so it's off to the shed.....

[Tom Robb]

I'm guessing that there are guys who bend exhaust pipe to fit various cars who could bend up a custom fit bit to bolt on w/ U-bolt hangers. Put some pvc pipe over them for rollers and maybe carpet them if you want to be anal about it.

[Thorne]

There are other options. Taller posts can also take the trailer lights for better visibility. Shorter ones can have angled rollers which may work better than PVC on a post for some hulls and conditions.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_017777_imageset_01?$main-Large$

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_018953_imageset_01?$main-Large$

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/01/77/68/i017768sn01.jpg

[Bobcat]

On the dolly for my boat, I put some 1 x 4 boards vertically to keep the boat contained as I pull it forward. Made all the difference in the worlds on a windy day.

[The Bigfella]

These posts are there for windy days.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff112/igatenby/trailer.jpg

They need some pvc on them yet, but we are still fiddling with it, as it does duty for two boats, a catamaran and a skiff.

The central guides with the blue skids are for the cat. They come out for the skiff.