Delete trailer prop guard? |
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Posted: October-30-2021 at 6:36pm |
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New garage. Boat barely fits. Annoyingly, the trailer prop guard strikes the ground when backing in, because the angle of attack is down the driveway then back up into the garage. It needs about 1.5” extra height (blocked a 2x4 under the trailer tires and it cleared no problem). I removed the prop guard and the trailer backed right in, prop has plenty of clearance.
Think it’s a terrible idea to semi permanently delete the prop guard to facilitate garage parking? On longer trips or unusual destinations I could bolt it back on. Other considerations - build some ramps out of lumber (works but a pain), buy bigger trailer tires (could work but not sure if they’d fit, also expensive and I’d have to buy 4 of them), lower my trailer hitch from a 4” to a 5-6” drop (could work but might negatively affect towing dynamics), store the dang thing outside. |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11050 |
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You've already done it and it works, so your plan sounds reasonable to me.
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Deleting the prop guard? It definitely works, just not sure if it’s a dumb idea to leave it off all the time. |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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KENO
Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11050 |
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Probably depends on how much ground clearance you have and if you go four wheelin' to get to the launch ramp
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desertskier
Platinum Member Joined: December-19-2006 Location: Az Status: Offline Points: 1115 |
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I know someone that welded a couple of small wheels to the prop guard to handle a steep driveway. I think they did the job.
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92 SN - Owned since 93
99 Pro Air 89 SN - Went to live on a lake in Texas 75 Donzi 16 - Sold in 93 |
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scootdogydog
Senior Member Joined: November-03-2013 Location: Central MA Status: Offline Points: 404 |
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If you lower the bow, the stern will rise. 4-6" drop and you'll be fine
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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That is an awesome idea. Could probably just bolt something on. Thanks |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Yeah I’ve got a 4” drop already which keeps everything pretty neutral, but might try a 5-6” to see how that works. Certainly an easy fix. Maybe an adjustable hitch is in my future. |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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MrMcD
Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3734 |
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Drop the hitch and see what it does for you. I had to drop my nautique hitch to get more weight onto the front wheels of my trailer so the brakes worked properly, I have a 2 axle trailer. I have towed with a variety of vehicles and have a collection of receiver hitches to use from straight to 6" drop. I think if you remove the prop guard you will be un lucky enough to have your prop kiss something it should not kiss and you won't be happy.
I have seen wheels on the back of trailers many times to allow bad angles to roll on by.
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Donald80SN
Grand Poobah Joined: January-12-2009 Location: Denver, NC Status: Offline Points: 3896 |
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RV's also weld on wheels for the same purpose. Bumper drag.
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1980 Ski Nautique SOLD Back to Cypress Gardens
2002 Sport Nautique, GT-40, FCT2, Cover Sports, Tower Bimini, Inc., Wet Sounds Audio System, Star Gazer Wake Edition S. 1968 Ski Nautique, Project. |
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Yeah this is the approach I’m going with. Ordered a drop hitch and will give that a go. If it doesn’t work I’ll pursue the roller / caster route which seems pretty straightforward. Googled it and it seems to be a very common add on for these types of trailers. |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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All my hitches are bolted on and unadjustable.
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67 ski nat
Platinum Member Joined: July-19-2018 Location: Santa rosa Status: Offline Points: 1194 |
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Doc you’ll have clearance from prop to driveway until one day you forget and Don’t Leave it on
BTW. What have you done with Pete |
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63 Skier
Grand Poobah Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4269 |
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Agree with 67, leave it on. I'm guessing that guard has saved my prop a few dozen times at this point. I love the idea of rollers on the guard, might look into that myself.
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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yeah I agree too and will do so. Not worth trashing the bottom of the boat for this small problem. I'm really hoping a slightly lower hitch will fix the problem. Otherwise will look into rollers/casters, or even just ramps.
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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I'm with HW, lower the hitch - it will be the next thing dragging. How about a lower ball mount or if yours can be turned over just do that..... |
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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My fault, I'm confusing hitch and ball mount... I'm getting an adjustable ball mount.
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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gun-driver
Grand Poobah Joined: July-18-2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4127 |
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Sell house, buy a more boat friendly residence
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Ugh literally just finished this brand new garage!! Couldn’t convince the wife to move out to the lake so oh well |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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Jonny Quest
Grand Poobah Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2957 |
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I fabricated a mount for the R/V type "butt dragger" steel roller wheel. I have one wheel on each side of the prop cage. The axle on the roller wheel has a grease zerk for lubrication. The location of the roller wheel is about 3/4" below the prop cage.
I also have an adjustable ball mount so that I can drop the trailer tongue fairly low to get the a$$ end of the trailer (and prop cage) up with additional clearance if needed. |
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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
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MrMcD
Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3734 |
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That looks bout perfect JQ. Nice work.
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Jonny Quest
Grand Poobah Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2957 |
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Thanks McD. Those wheels are one of the best mods I've done on the trailer. I have a fairly steep driveway, so the butt-dragger wheels are used many times during waterski season. I got real tired of the scraping and grinding of the prop cage and the marks left on the concrete. JQ
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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
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MrMcD
Grand Poobah Joined: January-28-2014 Location: Folsom, CA Status: Offline Points: 3734 |
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Your welds look better than mine. I am still working on that skill set. I have a frame to modify, will give me lots of practice.
Where did you find the grazeable rollers?
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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Where do you guys find adjustable hitches?
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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Linky no worky
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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That’s not a hitch.
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Fixed the Amazon link
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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DockDoc
Senior Member Joined: February-17-2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Points: 474 |
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Yeah again because I'm an idiot and keep confusing "hitch" with "ball mount". My bad.
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1993 Sport Nautique
PCM 351w, no ProTec |
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