www.iFourWinns.com

Captain,

Yeah you always run your piehole... Unless you walk in MY shoes don't make assumptions..

Some of us don't have the luxury of nice 6+ launch ramps that don't look like a mountain side. When I launch my 248 the forward bunks are still out of the water even when the truck tires are almost in the water.. It's called STEEP ramps.

If I were to drop the tongue lower it may get the bunks to submerge but then I would drag the trailer. The only solution I can come up with is to extend my side guides up past the rub rail so that I can dunk the trailer much deeper without the fear of the stern swinging over the OEM guides (because if I put it in as deep as it needs to be on these ramps, the guides are under water).

Got any smart alek replies as per usual? Or can you come up with a CONSTRUCTIVE reply that might help?

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Brett DiMichele

A childish response to my post like you have made deserves nothing constructive.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Dang Brett, I should lend you my roller trailer for the summer! It just collects dust anyways.. You're welcome to come pick it up and give it a shot bro.

It's ok... I am not the only one that has your number and trust me, you couldn't help anyway.. You just talk a good show.


Brenden,

I actually considered buying a loadmaster roller I-Beam but I don't know that I am preparred to go that route. I think I am going
to try the new bunk caps that West Marine has in the new catalog they cover the whole side/top of the bunk, secure from the side (no chance of marring the hull with fasteners) I am just going to try this on the forward bunks only, that is where my problems seem to be. The rear outer bunks work fine, there are no marks on the hull. The inner bunks just don't go under the water all the way on steep ramps. A longer tongue, or a lower tongue would fix one problem and create ten more..

And here is a good visual of the ramp I am speaking of.. And look at where my bunks are... I have no choice, there are only two reasonably "local" ramps I can even use. Aww well.... It's all part of the game!

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Brett DiMichele

Brett,

Is that where you would normally retrieve from? We have a couple ramps that are about the same grade, they are buggers!!!!

When I retrieve, the front of my fender just gets below the water. Depending on the ramp, I normally have to get my feet wet to winch on also!

Very cool set up there! How does the short wheelbase handle the load?

Ken

_________________
Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

And my opinion, these side bunks (guides) are no more than an obstruction when I am trying to clean my boat!!! LOL

Although, I never launch in a current.!!!

The older models had side bunks that extended as far forward as the front of the fenders, which would help in a current situation!

Ken

_________________
Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

Ken,

Sadly that's the favorite place I launch. All of the other launches up and down the river (trust me, I've driven both shores from land and water to find a better ramp) are all steep, in disrepair, have train bridges over them with low head clearance etc.. PA has the bost boats per capita of any state in the U.S.A. and we also have the most crappy launches!

The current is generally 2-5 knots which is fairly mild but enough that without the side guides it could post a problem keeping the stern centerted. I think what I need to do is have my welder friend, make new side guides that go up to the rub rail and then I can just dunk the trailer DEEP and not worry about it. Yes there is no getting around getting wet.. it sucks but there is nothing I can do about it short of getting a roller trailer.

I will try the bunk glides and see if that works/helps. The new one's that West Marine has are $72.00 which is enough material to do two 2"x6" x 8' bunks (not sure how long my center bunks are, need to measure) it's a modular system so if I need more I can "add on" pieces.

Sway wise the truck tows the boat great, the tail does not wag the dog. But the biggest issue for me is the gearing. I have the 20" rims and 3.92 gears and that does impact how fast I can get up to speed pulling out from a light etc.. I don't let the tranny hunt for gears, it's better to lug it down and let the plates and clutches in the transmission stay engauged than to let it bounce back and forth from 2 to 3 and slide in and out of the gears pulling that load. A friend of mine has the same year ram but in a long bed work truck trim which has 4:11 gears and 17" rims and it does tow better all things being equal.

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Brett DiMichele

For clarification to those that are interested, according to the 2005 NMMA U.S.Boat Registration Statistics. Pennsylvania ranks #12 with 349,159.
The top 5 are:
Florida with 973, 859
California with 963,758
Michigan with 944,138
Minnesota with 853,489
Wisconsin with 639,198
These statistics only apply to registered boats. It would be very difficult if not impossible to ascertain the total number of boats per state, registered and un registered.

The information can be found in this NMMA publication.
http://www.nmma.org/facts/local/documen ... ummary.pdf

As far as getting wet goes. There is a new product being launched at the trade show next week, it's called Snapper Boat Latch. You can check it out on this site.
http://www.epcomarineproducts.com/snapper/features.html
It will be at the MAATS show booth #1435

Some key features are:
* One person can catch or release from the boat
* Electronically activated latching device, no need to wade
into the water
* Remote controlled from as far away as 50 feet.
* Load tested to 10,000 pounds
You still need someone to back the trailer in and drive it out, but it does seem interesting.

I'm not sure if it will solve all your launch and retrive issues, but it might be something to look into if you can deep launch and retrieve.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Brett, Rim size has nothing to do with how fast you get up to speed. Tire diameter and gear ratio are what matters!
What does matter with rim/wheel size is what load range tire you can put on it, soft or stiff side wall. Usually a 20" wheel you can't get a great towing tire without spending big money, which I know you have no problem buying the best!!!!

What are the diameter of your tires vs your friends?

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Powell,

We have had this convo in the trailering section before. His tires are smaller over all diameter and he has the steeper gear ratio. I am a gear head from way back I should be more specific when I post but his 17" rims have shorter overall diamter tires than my 20's do (can't tell you off hand because his truck isn't here, but we made the comparo the day I brought the 248 home).

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Brett DiMichele

Here is a pic of my local ramp for what it is worth. The picture with the trailer is todays water level, the other picture was from at least 10 years ago. The water was 4 feet higher then! I know not great pictures, but show the ramp none the less. In the next couple of weekends I will try and get some pictures actually retrieving!

_________________
Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

At one time we were able to launch here, and our front tires would not breach the top of the ramp! Man I wish that water would come back!!!!

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

I know we have had this conv. before, but I still dont think there is that big a difference between your two tire sizes, thats why I asked for exact size.

I would bet that if both of you are running stock size, yours are 32"ish and his are 31"ish, not that much difference.
Just looking at your photo, you have a low profile tire, they are not that tall.

Powell,

Not a huge difference I agree, maybe an inch. But he also has deeper gears (4.11's vs my 3.92's )


Ken,

WOW that's a nice ramp! Imagine a ramp where all the bunks actually submerge... I can only dream of shallow ramps

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Brett DiMichele