Trailer bunk guides

[Ronald Dillow]

You guys are all great and my new best friends..
My boat never sits on the trialer right. Its a pain in the ass to get on the trailer. I'm not new to boating. In the past I has a 20' Crownline and it was easy to get on and off, but this boat is a challenge.
I'm looking at the Overton's catalog and was wondering if anyone has installed trailer side guides and what are the best?
Ron

 

[ToddW850]

Been contemplating doing this myself too. I've gotten very good at getting on and off the trailer, however, it's a challenge when the wind is whipping. @Albysure just installed guides and could tell you where he got them and how easy the install was.

 

[4x15mph]

Ron, lets see a picture of your trailer with a view of the bunks, bow stop, etc. I have wrestled with my boat trailer set up since i have an aftermarket trailer and I faced a few setup issues; bunk alignment, bow roller, and other. I do pretty well now that it is dialed in although what I did learn was that for putting the boat in/out at the ramp, my trailer fenders have to show just through the top of the water otherwise, my boat doesn't align correctly.

I do not have trailer guides but a lot of people use them especially those that face currents and/or winds. I find the boat is so light that I can easily maneuver it from the water and if a ramp is "professionally done", I can drive the boat right onto the trailer. For shallower or sandy bottom ramps, I don't do this to preserve the ramp.

 

[Ronnie]

I don't know about which are the best ones but highly recommend trailer guides for all. If you are getting them get the long versions (about 4 or 5 feet tall). This will allow you to put the trailer deeper in the water at the ramp but still have the tops of the guides out of the water. They make shorter ones that wouldn't work at most of the Ramps I use. As an added benefit, the guides generally allow me to see the empty trailer better when I'm backing into the ramp.

My guides are a single piece of pvc which are bent at 90 degrees at the bottom to create the horizontal mounting point for two u bolts on each side. Install is / was as easy as tightening 8 nuts on 4 u bolts after finding the right location on the trailer.
Mine were less than $100 shipped from overtons or west marine.

I ended up spending another $60 or so on trailer guide accessories. That is running lights (not turn signals) for the tops of the guides and guide covers. The running lights allow me to position the trailer better for the occasional night time recovery. Installing/wiring them took longer than the guides themselves but it was still easy.

The covers are made up of two parts, a nylon or canvas cover and a pool noodle underneath it. I don't think the covers are needed to protect the boat but they don't hurt and you can get covers to match your taste if you don't like the color of the guides themselves.

 

[GTBRMC]

This is what I use. Highly recommended. http://www.veveinc.com/shop/Post-Guide-Ons-T-965-65-inch-model.html

Also need to get a set of padded covers if you go this route. http://www.veveinc.com/shop/Post-Guide-Pads-T-965-PC-48-inch-CAPPED-Top.html

At one time, on YJB, there was a huge following for these guides and for aftermarket pads from (can't remember the company name - they went bankrupt back in '09). These guides are very tough, I have hit them with some force more than once.

Note: 90%+ of my recoveries I don't need these at all...but they are very handy in a cross current (like a river) or in a launch exposed to heavier wave action (especially if broadside).

 

[jawsf16]

I think you are referring to beyondthewake.com and I think they are still in business. Still have an active web site...

 

[Ronald Dillow]

I like the idea of lights on the top.
Here's the only photo I could find of the complete boat. It's covered now for the winter. :-(
I have a factory trailer.
The river is the hardest because of the flow. On the lake it's much easier.

 

[GTBRMC]

I think you are referring to beyondthewake.com and I think they are still in business. Still have an active web site...

Just thought of the company - Screamin Sacs. They did go under. www.screaminsacs.com now redirects to http://www.speakersox.com/home.htm (speaker socks were another product line beside trailer guide pads/covers for Screamin Sacs, I assume).

 

[greg]

I am getting these. $57
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F3D16E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1UG3QUYJI8ABK&coliid=I107QHUWZD7N4C&psc=1
with these covers for 25$ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPH5ZHC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1UG3QUYJI8ABK&coliid=I1NQ8SI6XDBQMY

 

[jawsf16]

Just thought of the company - Screamin Sacs. They did go under. www.screaminsacs.com now redirects to http://www.speakersox.com/home.htm (speaker socks were another product line beside trailer guide pads/covers for Screamin Sacs, I assume).

Yep I do remember them. Beyond the Wake has some good covers as well.

 

[Bill D]

I have CE Smith guides on my trailer and like them. With the added covers, they float so the height adjusts to the ramp. I haven't experienced it, but I can imagine if you were to hit one very hard, it would likely break.

It does help me line up and keep the stern in line when retrieving... especially if there is any wind or current. C.E. Smith also has excellent customer service. I had one of the LED's quit working and they sent me a replacement at no cost.

https://cesmith.com/product/420/post-guide/27760
https://cesmith.com/product/960/post-guide/27901

 

[txav8r]

I use the CE Smith Guides and modified to 56" with quick disconnects, so I can straighten them when they get bent. And they do get bent occasionally on a very windy day. I love that they will give, because I want them to give, NOT THE BOAT! They have never broken and had them on two boats. The LED lights on top make the one of the most useful tool mods on my boat and trailer. My wife is a little intimidated backing into the lake at night with the trailer to take us out. The guides help here to determine the end of the trailer and alignment, as well as depth. And for me, I have to back the boat/trailer down my 200' long winding tree lined driveway that has NO LIGHTING! So those guide post lights are invaluable to me.