Trailer question "Front bow eye support for (Ski) bottom STV"

[Jeff "Yammer"]

As some of you I have an STV ModVP "Ski" bottom. I am wondering what to do with the front roller support on the trailer at the bow eye of the boat. The "Ski" bottom has such and inverted VEE on the center pod it makes for a very poor fit of any roller/pad set-up. I will make a custom fit one if needed but was wondering what if any idea's other STV owners have done or if any one else has any idea's.

Thanks in advance ...... Jeff

[Ted Stryker]

Could you make a bracket to hold two short pieces of lumber in the inverted "V" shape... Maybe put them on a swivel bracket so that they would just find their own angle..???

[Euroski]

Mine never did hit the roller. I always left it back about 4 inches and jusr used the winch strap to hold it there. I did this because of the trailer flex and felt it would reduce the stress on the bow hook.

[xstreamed]

mine has 3 rollers. the 2 outside rollers the big end is on the inside small end on the outside it fits in the v perfect

[Raceman]

Jeff, the nicest STV trailer I had was one I originally had under my Mirage and changed the bunker's for the angled shape of the tunnels in the STV. It didn't have a support at the bow eye, but rather had two upright's about half way between the bow eye and the pickle forks, then just a strap going to the bow eye through a hinged lever that went up there also, but didnt offer any support. It worked VERY well, and was something my partner designed after I parked the Mirage (when it was still his) too deep on the trailer and punched a hole in the front. (damn speedmaster and fast idle) Anyhow, I can shoot a picture if I get my digital back this weekend and post it if you like.

[AnthonySS]

Jeff ,


does the bow roller look like this?


I used a turnbuckle to pull the nose down tight on the roller attached to the eye and hooked to the trailer. It was essential on long hauls and prevented the boat rolling too far over the bow roller too

[stvhelm]

Isnt the winch strap supposed to go under the bow stop? thats what prevents it from going too far forward.

also, jeff when you figure out a good piece for the bow stop let me know cause I hate mine too

[Jeff "Yammer"]

Raceman .... ya post up some pictures.
Anthony .... thats exactly what I do not like about all the trailers under STV's ... that same bow roller ( big or small ) is junk !! Me and Bob Clarke will just fabricate a perfect fitting one ( if there is interest I will post what we used or even sell a few )

Yammer

[AnthonySS]

HELMUT,



The bow strap went under the roller for retrieving. then flipped over the roller cause the steel bolt between the rollers would were on the winch strap and literally wear thru the winch strap....the turnbuckle was an easy fix and remedied the problems...maybe Keith can post a pic, if he still uses it;)


I am all in favour of intervention on this one...So yeah let's have a see when your done Jeff

[MODVP22]

Interesting topic here. I'd like to see something fabed up if you guys do it Jeff. As you may have seen, the trailers under my Mirage and our old RiverRocket were custom built by us, and the dumb roller still leaves rubber marks on the nose of the boat...even using the Polly yellow rollers.

[tdogcarter]

If you can post something when you have this done, that would be great.
I have noticed that on the Custom Line Trailer, when you crank it down, the bow naturally when sitting on the trailer, wants to stay elevated above the bow roller, but if your actually trailering it, and do not crank it down so the bow is against the bow roller, you will probalbly get some bouncing of the bow, and have it smacking the bow roller as the trailer is coming up and the boat is coming down. This is not a good design for a trailer, you want the pressure off the bow with the bow roller.
I would like to see the retrofit when done and buy one if easy to retro without welding anything.

Has anyone had any damaged caused by this?

Trey

[stvhelm]

ok everybody get to the drawing board.. I was thinking 2-1ft long carpeted 2x4's thru bolted to the sides of the roller mount. The center roller can be left on to protect the winch strap and the 2x4's can be angle cut to match the angle of the bow. that would leave room for the strap in the middle. as matter of fact im gonna get started on mine..

[ProComp]

Use to have a pic of a nicer one, but here's one idea

[stvhelm]

did it

[stokernick]

how much more speed do you think you'll get out of it????????:p

[DoktorC]

Jeff,

Let me know if you still need a hand...I work for a trailer distributor and can get all sorts of rollers, bunks..whatever...we do alot of custom bow stops for woodies and ski boats so I may have something you can use. PM or email me if you'd like...

[ProComp]

did it

How about a little more detail?

[WR_Merc]

Anthonyss,mine is the same as yours,however i also have a smaller v roller in the middle and run my boat up 3 more inches, my saftey goes through the bracket incase a sudden stop , due to the rear straps the chain always kept slack in it, has worked well for me. Wayne

[Dutch]

Wayne saw me in action this weekend, now I am
his hero. It makes me feel important. :D

[stvhelm]

How about a little more detail?

I started with a wood 2x3 and ripped an angle to match the hull. I then cut it about 1 ft and cut a 45* off the top side corners. I drilled a hole in it, smoothed out the sharp corners, and stapled some carpet to it. I thru bolted it in place of the old rollers and left the original center roller for the strap. Im thinking off adding a 4" piece of 90* angle steel on the inside of the wood to help support the wood better for those crappy roads.

[DoktorC]

That looks good Helm...Here's acouple of options that I put together out of off the shelf peices..Let me know what you think.

[AnthonySS]

Looks Encouraging DoctorC...you better let us local guys know where you work cause most of us are in need of trailer supplies...THANKS;)


For Example...I need a wiring kit for my trailer as I need to redo the lights...THANKS:)

[DoktorC]

Well...I work for a company called Do It Industries and we are the distributors for Eagle, Shoreland'r and Karavan trailers for Ontario and Quebec. I had a trailer under the Tuff at last year's boat show and I've met you (Anthony) a few times at TIBS in years past. If you need something PM me and I'll help you out nooo problemo..

[JIM5656]

I had this configuration custom made. I did not want a bow stop because I do not want to accidentally hit it to hard and I also did not want to mess with altering the mooring cover . Hence I went with a two winch set up. One to pull the boat up as needed. The other to keep the boat from moving forward. It is a very secure set up.

[stokernick]

yah,but the neat thing about your trailer is the rear overhang!!:D

[JIM5656]

It is very functional. It puts the trailer lights behind the boat where the are easily seen. It keeps cars further behing me in traffic. I can stand on it to play with the motors. Washing,tinkering, etc. When I back in my garage i can feel freee to hit the wall and not wreck the engines....LOL And best....I like the way it looks.

[tdogcarter]

Jeff,

What did you eventually come up with on your trailer?

Anyone else do anything for their stv trailer?

Trey

[RACEBOATRUS.ONE]

please note that the most important thing to have on the trailer is extremely long bunks that extend beyound the motor , so long that they extend beyound the motor to protect the motor and become the foucse of critaziam and jokes ,that way you will always be noticed and always have a place to sit and have an easy step way to get up on your boat ,wwwlong bunks .com

[woodduck]

I am glad that others have the same problem. My Hustler trailer on the STV has the large dumbell roller in the centre and the two smaller rollers either side. Without being a hoon whilst trailering and have tried it back fromm the roller, tight against it, rear straps loose or tight but it still moves around. When I brought it the bow eye was loose and the two holes elongated, tightened it up but have noticed what seems to be hairline fracture running down from the bow hook about 8" long. So now I run the winch loose. PS Our roads are crap compared to yours or the ones I drove/towed on. Must admit it tows better with the merc instead of the OMC. Any one else had that fracture in the same place.

[Tango]

I took a large V-Roller, cut it in half and inverted it. Now it sits very nicely on the V of the hull with no problems. I also have very long, 12" wide carpeted bunks that are angle and curved to fit the bottom of the hull perfectly.

[tdogcarter]

Tango,

Can you post any pics of what you did.

Thanks

Trey