Trailer Guide-Ons

[MakeItAMudLight]

I'm wanting to add some guide-ons to my trailer for my CS22. Looking for recommendations on some that are preferably bolt on but also don't look awful.

[JTinMO]

Most look awful. The only ones I've seen that look decent are on the high end wakeboard boats.

I fear you are going to get a lot of replies about non needing them, etc. I think they can be useful for visual reference, but I would never want to depend on them to straighten out the boat when loading onto the trailer. You will snap them off in a heartbeat, even with a CS22.

I think for the most part centering on trailers is almost a non-issue if your trailer is setup right, and the trailer is out of the water far enough. Most people that have issues loading have trailers too deep. I know my custom trailer for our 232 has been far easier to load and center the boat than our last 20' Tahoe boat on a semi custom trailer. This Cobalt is twice the weight and 4' longer.

I think any guide-on poles that are meant to be outside the rub rail would almost make my trailer over the legal width as well. You may want to check into that.

Is there a specific reason you are looking for them, or need them for a specific reason? Maybe that will help us give recommendations.

[Bfun220]

Most people that have issues loading have trailers too deep.

+1
I see this all the time.

[MakeItAMudLight]

I mainly want them as a visual reference as in the few times I got to use the boat last year I felt like I had to have the trailer pretty far in the water to keep from having to power load it which makes it hard to see. I'll admit I'm a bit of a novice though with a boat this big. I realize it's not that big to most but it is to me.

[akorcovelos]

I know on my old 21’ the guide poles were fully submerged when backed in for loading. They only really helped when I was launching/retrieving alone, and even then they didn’t do much. I won’t be putting them on the new trailer.

[Big Block Power]

If its just to help you see the bunks here ya go.
https://youtu.be/IicTE8G1cFc

Wholesale marine has the purple ones.

[NautiGirl]

I mainly want them as a visual reference as in the few times I got to use the boat last year I felt like I had to have the trailer pretty far in the water to keep from having to power load it which makes it hard to see. I'll admit I'm a bit of a novice though with a boat this big. I realize it's not that big to most but it is to me.

I'll get yelled at for this - but skip the guide-on's and power load it. Not saying hit the trailer at WOT, but idle on let it get centered then give it a little bump to get it the rest of the way up. Done and Done.

[Bfun220]

Many boat launches do not allow power loading.

[NautiGirl]

Many boat launches do not allow power loading.

Yeah, I have heard that, ours doesn't have a sign that says not to, but I do understand why its harder on the ramp.

If we couldn't power load I would need to get a bigger two speed wench.

[Big Block Power]

I mainly want them as a visual reference as in the few times I got to use the boat last year I felt like I had to have the trailer pretty far in the water to keep from having to power load it which makes it hard to see. I'll admit I'm a bit of a novice though with a boat this big. I realize it's not that big to most but it is to me.

I'll get yelled at for this - but skip the guide-on's and power load it. Not saying hit the trailer at WOT, but idle on let it get centered then give it a little bump to get it the rest of the way up. Done and Done.

I use the winch stand to line me up. Heck I can't see the trailer in the water. Heck I can only see 6 well 8 inches down anyways.

[NautiGirl]

I mainly want them as a visual reference as in the few times I got to use the boat last year I felt like I had to have the trailer pretty far in the water to keep from having to power load it which makes it hard to see. I'll admit I'm a bit of a novice though with a boat this big. I realize it's not that big to most but it is to me.

I'll get yelled at for this - but skip the guide-on's and power load it. Not saying hit the trailer at WOT, but idle on let it get centered then give it a little bump to get it the rest of the way up. Done and Done.

I use the wench stand to line me up. Heck I can't see the trailer in the water. Heck I can only see 6 well 8 inches down anyways.

Agree I really don't look at the bunks, center the bow nav light on the wench stand and float it on. I don't think guide poles would really help get ours loaded, but everyone is different so whatever works best.

[Bfun220]

Many boat launches do not allow power loading.

Yeah, I have heard that, ours doesn't have a sign that says not to, but I do understand why its harder on the ramp.

If we couldn't power load I would need to get a bigger two speed wench.

They have a sign at ours. But ive never seen anyone enforce it. When our lake gets green and nasty I power load.

[Big Block Power]

Many boat launches do not allow power loading.

Yeah, I have heard that, ours doesn't have a sign that says not to, but I do understand why its harder on the ramp.

If we couldn't power load I would need to get a bigger two speed wench.

They have a sign at ours. But ive never seen anyone enforce it. When our lake gets green and nasty I power load.

Exactly the big boys don't winch them on there. I never have either. I remember swamping the top of the decking with water. Oops.

[JTinMO]

I do as all the others. Put her in gear and bump forward until on. Normally at the same time as a person cranking the winch.

This is not crazy power loading full throttle, but just in gear, and out.

[JTinMO]

I mainly want them as a visual reference as in the few times I got to use the boat last year I felt like I had to have the trailer pretty far in the water to keep from having to power load it which makes it hard to see. I'll admit I'm a bit of a novice though with a boat this big. I realize it's not that big to most but it is to me.

What I have experienced is that the bigger, longer, and heavier boat is easier to center as it's less affected by the wind, waves, etc. The size actually helps over the 20' bobber of a boat I previously had. As long as you are roughly centered the bunks will self center it and you will be good. Ease out of the water slowly until you are sure it centered on the trailer.

And TAKE YOUR TIME. Don't worry if there's a line, people waiting, or otherwise. As long as you are efficient you are fine. It's not worth rushing and causing damage to save 30 seconds. Once you have her on and connected, clear the ramp. Just don't be that guy that pulls forward, unloads 4 coolers, clothes, eats a sandwich, etc while blocking the ramp.