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The Tractor supply jack works great! spend the extra on Trim Tabs the Wife will thank you! Tracks straighter, cuts the waves better, rides better!
I park in gravel, and have kids jumping around in the bow when I’m working on it on the trailer. The XO750 is just an awesome jack. I feel way more comfortable moving around inside the boat when on the trailer. The stock jack just feels so flimsy.
The jack I showed is very stable, lifts higher , twice as heavy as stock, easy to crank , Dual wheels and goes in the stock spot for $69 with leftover money for Trim tabs!
I’m no expert, but I agree it should be fine. ?
On your guide posts: 1 1/2" at the stern or at the widest point of the beam? My posts are about 4-5" at the stern to allow for the beam to clear. The posts will flex, so I can move them in if you think that's the way to do it. I haven't driven the boat on yet, but I use dock lines just like you. First time out I put the bumpers on first...that won"t work....LOLOk here are my answers.
1) Well over 500lbs before. Low to mid 300's now. I purchased
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2) Weight about 8%. For me. This is a religious battle with some so I am not going to get into it.
3) Bunks were not moved.
4) It tows much better and the back of my expedition is level. Definitely not as bouncy and jerky.
5) Unloading - I read your explanation of how you do it above and I cannot relate. Not sure why. Basically I launch boat every time without engines. Actually I have never used the engines unloading (although I have the blower motor on - Important) I take off the Boat Buckles in the staging area. Then when I line up for the ramp, since I don't know which side I am going on, I back up till the transom is over the water. I hope out, the Admiral has two lines in here hand. One goes on the the front cleat and the other on the mid cleat or the tower, depending what the dock looks like. I remove strap and safety. The Admiral will take both lines and run then along the boat and around the back of the Guide Post, so they won't get hung up. I then back the boat into the water and when the back end starts to float a bit i tap the break good and the boat starts floating backward. Soon as it moves a couple of feet, I then start pulling out and the admiral just pulls it close to the dock. Now if there is a good wind, when I pull up I will hop out real quick and help her. She is 5' 11" and 140 lbs, and has no problem.
Loading - I get the trailer while the boat is tied to the dock or the Admiral holding it. I back the trailer up into the water a couple feet and make sure it is strait. Then I go switch with the her and I untie the boat and back out slowly with the engines. She will then start backing up straight till I hold up my hand and tell her to stop. I only sink the front trailer fenders an inch or so under water and have no issue loading the boat. I do not pay attention to where the bunks are. I do only drive the boat up till it stops on the bunks which makes the bow about 2' from the Winch. Basically get the boat moving slowly toward the trailer and once the bow passes the guides I kill the engines and let the forward momentum glide on nice and smooth., and it self centers. Then I hook it up and winch it on the rest of the way, effortless really. Then when we start coming up the ramp she does the 5mph hard stop and the boat snugs up a couple of inches very nice. I crank about a half turn till tight and it is perfect every time. I do use the 60" C.E. Smith Trailer Guides on the trailer as well. I have 1.5 inch clearance from guide posts to boat on both sides. To date I have not miss loaded all summer, circa 25 outings or so and have not had an issue........ Well it got tricky in fast moving river launch that I have never done before. 7-9 mph current. Not fun but got her on, on the second try.
Hopefully my answers help you. This is how I do it, and it works for me and us.
I had to do the same exact thing. It’ll be fine
400lbs sounds like too much tongue weight. I would properly balance you boat with proper tongue weight, which will move you boat back as well as the winch post. Something tells me it is going to be just enough to put in front or damn close.
