Full roller trailer for 2001 SN

Hi guys,

Due to my horrible local shallow ramps I've always had launching issues getting the 89 off its trailer (trailer is a standard Easytow RB20). Adding to the shallow ramps I ride in salt, which at the moment means dipping the back of my car up to the rear axles to enable the boat to be pushed off. Adding to this again, I'm normally launching it myself. Due to how the trailer is built under the prop I'm unable to reverse the boat away also. So, as you can see, it's not all sunshine and lollipops at the boat ramp.

Due to the shortness of the ramps with big drop offs at the end, an extendable drawbar is not an option.

I have tried liberal doses of silicone spray and Mr Sheen on the carpeted bearers to help the boat slip off easier but to no avail. My brother has a smaller lighter skiboat that benefits from slippery bearers, but not mine unfortunately. These older SN's seem to be very bow heavy.

I have been toying with the idea of replacing my sticky carpeted bearers for a full roller set-up. The rollers would be all inline spaced approx 6 inches apart (as opposed to fishing craft where they are randomly everywhere) and placed under the main boats bearers. My question is, A - do you think this is a possibility for these older craft, and B - Do you think the hull would suffer indentations from the singular roller resting points.

It would be a costly mod, but if the hull is not affected and makes my life easier launching I'd seriously consider it.

Thoughts ??

Justin not a fan of roller trailers for ski boats the support area is much smaller for a roller than the carpeted timber bunks. I remember Pacey having trouble with Mark Robinsons's SN2001 tandem trailer as well.

The Robinsons imported their SN2001 together and yours is the brother to that boat. I think they probably purchased the Easytow RB20's at the same time. The Easytow that Pacey had looked a little big for the boat as there was a lot of free bunk board at the rear after the transom approx 12"-18". This would upset the balance factor with the boat too far forward, making it bow heavy on the trailer.

Does the bow of the boat rise significantly as you winch it right up to the bow stop? Have you tried moving the bow stop back so the boat is level with the rear of the bunks? This may then upset your tow ball weight but would be worth a try to see if it is easier to launch. If this fixed the problem you would then need to play around with axle location which is fun. What is the current towball weight balance?

Another option may be to lower the bunks on the trailer so you dont have to dip the boat as deep to get it off. How much clearance do you have between the prop guard and the rudder/prop, and the tracking fins to axle and cross members? Once again the further the boat is back the more clearance you should have. Pacey was having problems damaging props driving his on and off. I think he was actually hitting the bunks with the prop. He may have had the trailer in to deep and the extra length of the bunks was adding to the problem. From memory he tightened the guide pole to boat clearance up and that helped.

I know what you are saying about these boats being harder to launch than your old boat. They do require a bit more water as they are quite a bit heavier. I always launch from the bank so this was a big issue for me. I had 3-4 goes at my trailer before I got it right. It meant playing with axle and bunk heights, bow stop and prop guard.

Pictures of Paceys boat on Easytow trailer.

I have seen a half roller, half bunk trailer. Maybe rollers at the front and bunks from behind front of motor to the transom. Would be a cheaper alternative than full rollers and with a bit more support where most of the weight is located. The boat does look a bit high at the bow on the trailer you may be able to lower that front roller a bit when you shorten the bunks.