Boat Won't Sit Properly on Boat Trailer Roller System

Published 04/14/2020

Question:

I have a cakins boat trailer with rollers. The problem is the boat has never set right on the trailer. I want to convert it from rollers to bunks. The boat is a 1969 glasspar 15 foot. The trailer is adjustable to an 18 foot boat. The front rollers are barely on the boat, witch makes it hard to load. The brackets on the trailer are shaped in a u with single bolts on each end. There is a roller on each side and one in the middle. I have two sets of the u shaped brackets. One in the front and one in the back. The main frame of the trailer is like a wish bone I would say 2x3 tube steel or maybe 2x2 tube steel. My boat is very flat across with maybe the middle to front with a slight v shape. What kit would you recommend? Needing brackets and bunks. Length of bunks?

asked by: Daniel R

Expert Reply:

I can definitely help you figure out what bunk boards to use, but I think with a little adjustment we can get your boat to load much easier with your current setup. Since rollers are considered an upgrade compared to carpeted bunk boards it's a little unusual to want to "downgrade" (in a sense) your boat trailer.

From the pictures you sent in and the way you phrased the problem that you're having, it sounds like your Cakins boat makes contact with the keel rollers on your winch stand and essentially raise your boat off of the front set of rollers. If you were to loosen up the U-Bolts on that front winch stand and move it up a little, then adjust the height and angle of the keel rollers, I really think you'll be able to get your boat to sit properly on your boat trailer.

Obviously we can look into carpeted bunk boards that will sit higher than your rollers and ultimately make contact with your boat evenly, but that's going to be the more difficult road to take, plus you might need to adjust that winch mount and keel roller setup anyways.

Let me know if you aren't able to get everything adjusted so your boat sits properly and I can help you choose the parts you need from the linked selection of boat trailer parts.

expert reply by: Jon G