My boat overhangs the bunks

[Rhojo]

My 22-2 is on a '04 Magic Tilt trailer with bunks. I've noticed that the boat overhangs the back of the bunks by a good foot and a half to almost two feet. I'll be replacing the bunks probably after this year because they are starting to show some age. I noticed this when I recovered them a couple of weeks ago. While the trailer tows well, no wandering or anything unusual, I'm wondering if the bunks shouldn't go all the way to the bottom edge of the transom? I haven't verified my tounge weight at this point, I've been told it shouldn't be much more than 200-300 lbs. which is about where I am now I believe. There is room to slide the winch up some but not enough to get to the end of the bunks and I think the tounge weight would be excessive at that point.

Please, help get me straight on this. I've heard so many different opinions on the position of the boat on the bunks and trailer I really need it from some that know for sure!  

[seabob4]

You may want to check out this thread on THT...
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/288928-trailer-doesnt-look-right-me-pic.html

Lot's of opinions, including mine, for what it's worth.  Started by a 215 Explorer owner, whom I happened to talk into buying the boat!

[gran398]

I'm with the last post on THT. Good pics there too of 2 different Aquas on trailers. If you want it exact as he suggested, adjust the axles, not the tongue. But if you have approx., 250 lbs of tongue weight, I'd say you're good. Mark the bunks where they're an inch from the end of the hull, pull back the carpet, and take a Skilsaw to the overhang. Re-fasten the carpet.......now THAT'S custom....

[RickK]

I have 450lbs tongue weight on the 230. I kinda thought this was excessive but the trailer people didn't.

[gran398]

So if the the total approx weight of the 230, ready to go, is 4500 lbs...

Would that mean the tongue weight should be 10% or thereabouts....

I'll give our trailer guy a call, and see what their recommended ratio is.

[seabob4]

10% is what all believe in...

[gran398]

Gotcha.
Tx, SB.

[RickK]

I would say the boat weighs probably close to 6k when topped off with fuel, water, cooler, me....

[Circle Hooked]

I would say the boat weighs probably close to 6k when topped off with fuel, water, cooler, me....

Rick i agree with you on the weight thats about what i figure for my boat also.

[gran398]

Rhojo, per discussion, you may be a little light on the tongue weight. Easy enough, weigh everything at your local truck scales, and back it down from that. The 10% rule SB mentioned is what my trailer dealer also stated today. If in doubt he says go a bit heavier on the tongue weight, rather than lighter.  Your triple 2 will weigh in less than the 230's, but at least now you have a point of reference.

[John Jones]

I just made a post on how to get the tongue weight at home if it's under 600 lbs.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5612

[Rhojo]

Thanks to all for the input. I have to read through all this a bit more before I make any decisions or change anything on the boat and trailer. I'm definately worried about hull damamge from the bunks but I may be overly worried. I have to trust in the PO that they somewhat knew what they were doing when they bought this '04 trailer for the triple 2 but something still isn't sitting quite right for me with the way it is now and I will definately have to replace the bunks sooner rather than later.

JJ, Thanks very much for your diagram on getting tounge weight at home. That will be a big help to be able to do that myself!

[slvrlng]

My trailer was built for a Proline 210. I only have a 19-6. My transom doesn't even come to the end of the bunks, maybe overkill but I like a decent margin of extra capacity just for piece of mind. If you can post some pics of how yours sits will greatly help everybody make better suggestions. In looking at your avatar pic IMHO your trailer looks short. Warthog5 on Classic Mako always posts that your bunks should not extend more than a couple of inches beyond your last crossmember. If you agree with him then my trailer is still not correct! What is the weight of your trailer? Also what is its capacity? If you can give us more info we can help even more.

This is the way mine sits as of now.

[seabob4]

Lewis,
Nothing wrong with that setup, as long as your tongue weight is good.  That real issue with bunks extending past the transom comes into play with trim tabs.  Tabs can get bent if they are left down a little or if they are mounted such that when fully retracted, the trailing edge doesn't come up above the hull bottom...

Hell, I've yanked 18 footers out with triple axles...want to see some long bunks?

[Rhojo]

Here is my current setup. I'm not sure these pics show it well enough. I'll try to get some better ones this weekend.