Trailer Guide-Ons

[jhnmdahl]

We loaded in gusts of maybe 30mph once, and I'm seriously considering them if only to help the next time we get caught trying to beat a storm to shore. In MN, many launches have DNR reps doing boat inspections for zebra mussels, etc., and enforcement of power loading rules is probably a little more prevalent. That said, the 210 has always been easy to load in nice weather (EZ loader trailer with a fancy Fulton winch), and the guides would really be for that one time in twenty when weather isn't cooperating.

John

[cmattj]

Knowing where my back tires are when she floats is that same spot for retrieving for me. I’m a tie off and pull her on engine off.
My drives are tucked away from harm and I can feel her center as she gets winched.
I also have my winch strap marked so my transom is just showing an inch of bunks so I know I’m in the right spot.

I’d recommend guide poles in up wind areas and forward drives. They aren’t going to be good looking unless you put a nice padded cover on them.. but they make sense to have them.

[Tuscany]

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.

Loading our R7 can be very problematic in wind and current, where our old 23' Chaparral was an "easier" problem to deal with..

I always power on, and let the poles do their thing. They are not fence posts and give a lot, but they do keep the rear straight before you hit the center bunk. I always crank in the last three feet. Since the poles are not touching the boat, they're are useless for centering when coming out of the water, so we just go very slow and it centers fine.

[MakeItAMudLight]

Tuscany, Did you add your poles or did they come in your trailer?

[JTinMO]

Check out the thread 'New Utah member" for pics of a new Cobalt trailer with guide-ons. That looks like a nice way to go.

[Tuscany]

Tuscany, Did you add your poles or did they come in your trailer?

The poles were an option when I had the trailer custom built.

The "unattractive" aspect that keeps on being mentioned?
I just don't understand what part of a boat trailer is actually beautiful, or why some folks think it's a status symbol of some sort where poles ar just an unacceptable zit on an otherwise masterpiece of modern trailer art...

It's sole purpose should be designed and built to transport the boat. If properly designed correctly, and thought out properly, the goal is to maximize ease of use. Its main purpose should be to load and unload with the least amount of work and stress.

[mdadgar]

It's sole purpose should be designed and built to transport the boat. If properly designed correctly, and thought out properly, the goal is to maximize ease of use. Its main purpose should be to load and unload with the least amount of work and stress.

Well, as long as it does that, why shouldn't it look badass, too?

I also spec'd cheater poles when I had my trailer built last fall. I'm not too proud to make it easy.

- Mark

[AsLan7]

It's sole purpose should be designed and built to transport the boat. If properly designed correctly, and thought out properly, the goal is to maximize ease of use. Its main purpose should be to load and unload with the least amount of work and stress.

Well, as long as it does that, why shouldn't it look badass, too?

I also spec'd cheater poles when I had my trailer built last fall. I'm not too proud to make it easy.

- Mark

.
I'm a big fan of guide-on poles and didn't realize there were folks that looked down on them until I joined the forum. In fact, that is the first time I ever heard the term "cheater" poles mentioned in a thread last year.

They were worth their weight in gold when we boated on the rivers. Strong currents with strong crosswinds while loading our Fountain onto the trailer at the boat ramp made them invaluable.

I don't currently use them with our lake boating life but if I had them on my trailer, I would not take them off. ...and I can park my single engine 27 footer with the best of them.

Don't be discouraged. If you can find some that look sharp, go for it.

.

[akorcovelos]

Tuscany, Did you add your poles or did they come in your trailer?

The poles were an option when I had the trailer custom built.

The "unattractive" aspect that keeps on being mentioned?
I just don't understand what part of a boat trailer is actually beautiful, or why some folks think it's a status symbol of some sort where poles ar just an unacceptable zit on an otherwise masterpiece of modern trailer art...

It's sole purpose should be designed and built to transport the boat. If properly designed correctly, and thought out properly, the goal is to maximize ease of use. Its main purpose should be to load and unload with the least amount of work and stress.

Oh you’ll understand when I finish my trailer RGB and speaker install.

[Big Block Power]

It's sole purpose should be designed and built to transport the boat. If properly designed correctly, and thought out properly, the goal is to maximize ease of use. Its main purpose should be to load and unload with the least amount of work and stress.

Well, as long as it does that, why shouldn't it look badass, too?

I also spec'd cheater poles when I had my trailer built last fall. I'm not too proud to make it easy.

- Mark

.
I'm a big fan of guide-on poles and didn't realize there were folks that looked down on them until I joined the forum. In fact, that is the first time I ever heard the term "cheater" poles mentioned in a thread last year.

They were worth their weight in gold when we boated on the rivers. Strong currents with strong crosswinds while loading our Fountain onto the trailer at the boat ramp made them invaluable.

I don't currently use them with our lake boating life but if I had them on my trailer, I would not take them off. ...and I can park my single engine 27 footer with the best of them.

Don't be discouraged. If you can find some that look sharp, go for it.

.

Yea that was me that called them cheater poles. Yes I think they would come in handy. I wont argue that. Could I use them where I load sure. But T yes I think trailers look good and ugly. So do I think yours make yours ugly no. On tow boat trailers I think they need them. But I wouldn't add them to mine because they would look ugly. Even if I think they would help me load. I wouldn't be afraid of loading anywhere either.

[Tuscany]

Respectfully.
Maybe I'm not understanding boating protocol, but do you think anyone really notices? I mean anyone? When someone arrives at the ramp, I look at the boat. Yeah, if the boat sits on a custom trailer, I'll notice an owner who likes quality, but it ends there.
Like A7, I never considered the notion that they were either ugly or distasteful, and I never thought anyone really would consider them as anything other than a very smart and useful option.
I think for those who may question the ..look.. loads a large boat in wind and current, the idea suddenly looks very pleasing to the eye. Almost beautiful... I see them as beautiful.

I agree that boat trailers should compliment the boat, and look attractive when driving down the road. I paid extra for matching paint and wheels because that's me, but my main purpose in speccing it was to transport the boat safely, to load it without a scratch, and to keep my stress level at zero.

[Ytmsn]

I dont need them where I load or unload, but if I was in current or wind they would be added in a heartbeat, no doubt about it.
And I think they are about as useful as the booster seat BB uses when he drives!

[cmattj]

Maybe rename them?

Prop savers.
Scuff from bouncing off rough wheel cover savers.
Chunk out of the bow cause you missed the bow stop saver.
Don’t worry about your insurance deductible savers.
( What’s in my coffee?)

[AsLan7]

You two need to do a stand-up routine.

Booster seats & Bow chunks.

Made my morning guys.

(...and no ill will directed at you bbp )
.

[Ytmsn]

Ill will? I loce BB! I like him because hes the only guy I know shorter than I am!