Trailer adjustment needed?

[mxyzptlk]

Hi,

I picked up a 97 SeaRay 185BR, first non-Jon boat boat. It's been on a lake for years, so was only on a Hustler trailer to get to the lake, but I will be trailing it to launch ramps so i would like the setup to be proper.

The keel sits on rubber pads currently that are attached to the cross members. It also appears very close to the rear roller which I assume is a guide, not a support.

It also looks like the front post should come forward an inch or two to bring the transom to the edge of the bunks.

So should the boat rest on the trailer cross-members at all or just the bunks?

Are the bunk brackets, which are flat with bumps, designed to support the weight of the boat or just to balance it and let the keel rest on the rubber pads to support the weight?

Should there be any space between the hull and bunks?

Can I just use some blocks and jacks and lift it a smidge to nudge the boat forward on the trailer 5 or 6 inches?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yeah, that's definitely not right. The center roller and those crossmember pads are only there for an "oops" moment while loading. The boat should sit squarely on the bunks ONLY and the bunks should be positioned such that they are on the outboard side (at least two of them) of a lifting strake - that also helps with making loading easier. And, yes, the winch stand is a little too far forward. Move the winch stand back and adjust the bunks.

My guess... that trailer was originally meant for a larger boat and one of the previous owners never adjusted it properly.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Hi,

thank you for the reply.

So here are a couple other pics.

So the boat should go up, the bunks should go up and should the boat go more forward or more backwards based on the current position?

 

[andy k]

The bunks should go up or you can slide the bunks in a few inches to the next flat section on the hull. It looks like the boat should be raised 4 inches.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Before we get too far into this... that boat/trailer combo is over 3K lbs. Which means in most states it's required to have brakes, which it does not. It sounds like you're going to be doing a lot of trailer boating. You may be able to add a brake kit, but it will depend on whether or not the axle has backing plates. It could start to get expensive pretty fast and then you are still stuck with an older trailer. It may be better to think about getting a new trailer and then selling that one to recoup some costs.

But, yes, slide the bunks in and/or higher to raise the boat. Ideally, you'd want to measure the tongue weight to determine if you should move the boat. It might be eaiser to say if you showed a full side view. But, boat trailer tongue weights are typically 5% to 7% of gross - but with a small boat, it's OK to go heavier.

Question... in the picture, your exhaust bellows looks cracked. I'm not worried about that, but that usually means the other two are not so good... and those I WOULD be worried about as they can sink your boat. Can you check those?