How do you use your post guide-ons?

[Daren and Heather]

For those of you with post guide-ons on your trailer, do you use them ONLY for a visual aid to line yourself up correctly when loading? (In which case you installed them wider apart) Or do you use them to course correct the boat automatically as you're loading? (In which case you installed them closer together)

I'm wondering because originally I installed them thinking the former, and probably have them 5 to 6in out from the width of the boat on each side, but the last time I loaded my boat really went sideways on me on the trailer...

So I'm wondering if I have these post guide-ons sticking out too far, and should move them in closer to about 2" from the width of the boat on each side. And not be worried about bumping against the post guide on when I load it.

 

[FLBulldogger]

We (by that I mean my wife, she loads the boat onto the trailer) uses them for both visual and for support in the event the wind/current are out of hand. She really only needs the support when its bad out at the time of loading. Our guide posts are a lot snugger than what yo have in the pics..maybe 2 inches either side.

 

[HangOutdoors]

I have mine between 1 and 2 inches, probably like 1.5. Once I have the front 1/3rd of the boat in between it is gravy even in a high wind and the boat sits on the trailer perfect every time.

 

[Daren and Heather]

I have mine between 1 and 2 inches, probably like 1.5. Once I have the front 1/3rd of the boat in between it is gravy even in a high wind and the boat sits on the trailer perfect every time.

That's good to know, so you don't really worry about bumping them then, and just let them redirect the boat, right? How did you measure the 1.5 inches? I think our boat gets a little wider in the middle...

 

[HangOutdoors]

I am 1.5 inches from the back the whole boat fits right through. Yes I use them to guide on and bump them.

 

[Daren and Heather]

Thanks! I'm going to do the same thing!

 

[anmut]

Yep, about two inches.

 

[Olsonn20]

I use mine to get the boat on straight, just last weekend I was loading up at a launch with a decent cross wind. If I didn't have them it would've been interesting loading up, I find that it just makes it less stressful loading also. Mine sit off the boat about 2"

 

[jdkaeser]

I have the curved Fulton guides with pads on mine. I set mine to touch the boat. That being said, when the trailer is in the water the boat floats up to the curved area and is no longer touching. I just got mine on and it was night and day for a first use this weekend. I had a strong side wind and serious chop and the guides saved my ass! I definately put some force on the one side but hopefully not going to be a pattern of use if mother nature will start being nice to me!

 

[AncientCanoe]

I don't have them because I winch my boat on, but are you putting in your trailer too deep if the boat gets sideways inside the guides. I think your bunks should be engaged some by then.

 

[Julian]

I don't have them because I winch my boat on, but are you putting in your trailer too deep if the boat gets sideways inside the guides. I think your bunks should be engaged some by then.

Totally depends on how steep the ramp is. Some are really steep and the bunks don't engage until you are way up the trailer.

There are some that call them "rookie rods" - clearly these people are lake boaters on nicely built perfect angle ramps who've never dealt with a steep ramp and a nasty current!

I keep mine pretty close. On my usual ramp they are just used as guidance....on the ramp at Harbor Towne Marina in Ft. Lauderdale they help keep the boat centered as the ramp there is really steep.

 

[Scottintexas]

my daughters use them a ricochet points, she hit them so hard they bent the mounting plate,

as we review the trip on the way home I'll nicely suggest "you may consider coming in a little slower next time"

mine are set as tight as possible at midship since the rear is slightly narrower, worth every penny,


.

 

[anmut]

Love my 60" ve-ve's. I've had a big 22' tri-toon before without guides and I had to rock that boat back on center on the bunks every time we recovered. With this 21' v-hull, I'm centered within inches of perfect every landing. As stated, when recovering during current and/or wind, these are a life and marriage saver. No need to power load, just sink the trailer, center, and winch up.

 

[Seadeals]

I agree to move them in closer. You have nice covers on them so no worries about bumping. The “rookie rod” name makes me laugh; but I totally agree with the value in strong winds and current. I do without; but my pilot experience helps me maintain a strong crab angle with a final moment pivot to align. I say “helps” as In tough conditions, we are all just one second away from a bad landing, be it a plane or a boat.

 

[Gym]

Just make sure your fenders are in for launching and retrieval so they don't get hung up on the guide-ons.