Front roller hang up

[Harry]

Today while launching the boat (2007 198 DLV). I had someone that could drive the truck.
I hopped in the boat and he backed down the ramp. I figured since I launched before and it slid off real easy I could drop the motor and back off the trailer.

Well, He backed me up to where I've always stopped before (Of Course I was never in the boat and only launched 2 other times so far) anyway I lower the motor and tried to back off, Didn't budge. I have him come back some more and still no good.

I looked up under the bow and the roller was hanging up on the second lip. Not the rolled gunnel lip like I've been hearing about guys ripping off but the next one down. So my buddy pushed it up and over the lip and she backed right off.

Only thing I could think of since it hadn't happened on the first 2 outings,
was 1) I wasn't in the boat, and 2) I pushed the boat off by hand and I guess up and over the roller not giving it a second thought.

Anyway,
When I got home I lowered the height of the roller and slid it back towards the boat well under that second lip and below the pulling eye. Before it sat right under that lip and above the pulling eye.

Here what it looks like now and you can see the lip it was catching on. Hopefully when I launch the next time it will not be an issue.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e223/aclineman/Frontroller.jpg

[largebucket]

Harry,I was wondering how this worked out,I had the same problem at some of the steeper ramps was thinking of doing it myself.

[Harry]

Well what, happened with the setup in the above picture was the pulling eye was now getting caught on the TOP of the roller.

I changed it back and put the roller just above the eye and below that lip.

I just have to either back in a little deeper or shallower (depending on the water level at the ramp.) So far Zero hang ups. I think it's just a matter of getting used to the boat/trailer setup , plus the ramp slope your using.

I was used to having an EZ load roller trailer where it could launch at almost ANY depth or tide.

Hope this helps.

PS,
I'm getting a slip, so no more launching this year....... ;D

[Willie]

From what I've experienced, anytime you have a steep ramp, you cannot back in too far or you will be hung up. Easiest way around the problem is to fill in the curved lip with something, for example a 2x4 or a piece of pvc pipe. This will hopefully allow the bow stop to roll right over the now filled in area. I have still not done this after 4 years, but probably will this year as I am back to launching when ever I use the boat.................. ;) give it a try, it may work for you.....and it may not...........

[Fillet1]

I have used steep ramps and shallow ramps and if I back in until the top of the fenders are barely under water I have no bow hang up. However, I do have to roll back and hit the brake to get the boat off the trailer.

[Backcast]

Use bunk slicks and you can launch dry if you like. I have never hung up and never had a problem launching. The dlv can hang up if you sink the trailer too deep. It causes the stern to float which pushes the bow down before the boat slides back. I NEVER put water over the top of my fenders. Now ith bunk slicks I stop as soon as the stern touches the water. No problems!

[Willie]

Forgot to mention the use of the slicks. Slippery little devils they are, but so nice for unloading and loading.

[bobreeves]

I was hanging on the front stop on my J16. I just installed a piece of PVC today under the lip (about 2 1/2" diameter) - thru bolted with a plastic cleat on the top. Will report back after the cold front and rain blow through. Also added Smart Tabs today (smallest stainless ones they make with 30 lb struts) and can't wait to try them out!

Bob

[Familymanof5]

Harry I think your your front eye will tend to hang slightly on your roller now. Maybe not.

TOM

[Harry]

No it won't, because it's no longer my boat, I sold it.... ;D
Actually that picture was taken after I made the adjustment & before I launched, and you are correct, it hung up so I changed it back.
It was just a matter of finding the sweet spot the trailer liked at the ramp I used. Once I found that sweet spot, I never had a launching issue again.