Anyone use trailer guide poles?

[biffdotorg]

Hey Biff:


What is the gap between the poles, and the rub rail, that you are using??

That was the trick when I installed them. I originally got the boat on the trailer as straight as I possibly could. Then I installed the guides up tight against the rub rails. At the first launch, we realized that the boat is widest just behind the steering wheel. That was not going to allow the boat to come off the trailer properly.

So now, I have them pulled out roughly 2" on each side. This allows them to rub at the wide spot, but leave a gap when fully on the trailer. I'm not sure how your islandia is for beam. You may want to experiment the first time at a quiet landing. Bring your wrenches.

For those looking for rollers, the VeVe guides are actually PVC pipes just slipped over the metal post, which goes up maybe 1/3 of the length of the PVC. They are slipped on, so can rotate easily. The pads and covers keep away the scuffs. They honestly don't need to rotate much.

 

[Murph_13]

Good info. thanks.

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks Biff.

I wasn't going to make them touch, since I want to leave room for my cover. I'm not sure if it's widest in the middle or not. I think it's pretty straight after about 1/3'ed way from the bow. But... I'll see if I can measure it.


I figured about 2" on either side. Even if the current pulls it a little sideways... it will keep if from drifting over the wheel wells. And, once the nose starts to engage the bunks... it will pull straight. (I think)

Anyway...I'm going to go put them on. But... unfortunately... I may be at a crazy ramp the first time out.

 

[Dr Honda]

They were easy to install. Only took about 15 min. It actually took longer to unpack the box, and get the tools out, then to put them on.


Here's the box, and where they are on the trailer. As Biff suggested... I left about 2" on each, and that should clear the bulge in the center of the hull.


Mine are as nice as his... but the steel part of the tube is about at the rub rail... and with the 48" poles... they are plenty tall enough on this boat.


I'm hoping to be able to get out on the water tomorrow... so I'll report back with how they work.

 

[biffdotorg]

Sweet Azz!! Those are lit on top too? Very cool. I didn't do the light kit, as I though the wire would get twisted if it rotated.

Since I bought the 65" VeVe, I put mine below the beam on the trailer too since they were so tall. Yours look just about perfect on that trailer, white on white works well. Nice work!

 

[Dr Honda]

No... this model only has an orange cap. BUT... they do make one with the light. Actually... it's lightly translucent... and I'm sure could put a light behind it. If I decide to keep them on the trailer... I may put a red strip on the rear.


I didn't get out to the water yesterday. (story of my life) but I did go and check out a new (to me) ramp in Pittsburgh. It's below any of the locks, and gets me in the Pitt Pool. I don't mind going though the locks, but I don't like to do it with kids on board. Basically... I have to spend too much time being the "Skipper" to watch them, and keep them safe. This ramp is in an older part of Pitt (so the area was questionable) and the ramp was damaged a few years back, and a lot of locals say it's bad, unless you are putting in a small boat. Well... after my trip yesterday... I have no issues. Yes, there are some gaps, but the 2 axle trailer of the islandia should help.


Anyway... I'll be putting the boat in next Sat. I'll report back then.



Biff..... Do your PVC tubes bolt on, or do they just slide over the steel tubes?

 

[biffdotorg]

No, there is a ring welded around the base that the PVC sits on. So they are not bolted and allowed to roll.

Yesterday was justification for the guides. We had to load our boat in 2.5' cross waves. My wife was a champ and put the bow right between the guides, let the boat settle then gassed it up within 3ft of the winch post. They held it in place while I cinched it up.

The kicker was the DNR gal sitting in her lawn chair inspecting boats. She congratulated my wife on a perfect, single run load. She said that was better than any load she had seen in those cross waves. That was a nice ego booster for her!

 

[Dr Honda]

That's the kind of story I like to hear. (positive) I wish I could get the wife to help a little more... but with the small kids... she does have an excuse. (she needs to keep them safe)

The ramp I went to look at, is protected a little... but it's still on the river, so there can be current, and waves. That's why I wanted the poles.

My poles aren't bolted on either. They slip over 22" of steel, and they snug up a little at the bottom. I'm sure if I lean on them too much, they will roll.

 

[challenger01]

Doc,

I added my homemade guide ons after my first day at the ramp. I had some extra 90 degree angle steel and I had a family member press a piece of stainless into a bracket that I bolted to the trailer. This is my first watercraft and I was frustrated after the first day I owned it in loading the boat. We all know there is a learning curve with jets and low speed, but I was struggling with the small waves and current. I made my cheap guide ons and it has be a major improvement for me as far as locating the trailer and keeping the back end from kicking out.

I also had a winch explode about 2 years ago, so I put a much stronger 2 gear winch on the trailer, which has been a big help.

I am curious about what new ramp you are talking about for the launch into the Pittsburgh pool. A friend went last week to the South Side launch and said that it is very nice, but I understand that it can get quite busy if we ever get decent boating weather.

 

[Dr Honda]

I guess, since we are done with the install... we can talk about ramps.


The south side ramp is VERY nice. The problems with that ramp are:

1) On the weekends, if you don't get there early, and stay late... then you run into all the looneys. New people are easy to spot, and I give them the benefit of the doubt. But, the Looneys are the guys who know better, but they put a big boat in sideways, so no one else can use the ramp. They sit there too long. They try to start a boat on the ramp, that hasn't been run in a while. They get on the ramp and load the boat. OR... they tie onto the courtesy dock, and run to the store, or go help a buddy.

Because of that, you can wait for 45 min or longer just to get out of the water. (and having a stress level giving you a stroke)

2) You will get people wanting to fish, or sun themselves on the courtesy dock, and they won't move when you want to tie off. They actually get upset that you think you can tie off your boat where they are fishing !!! There has been more than one time I told the wife... I'm much bigger than him. (lol)

3) Cars parking in the boat trailer lot. That one isn't a big deal, because the lot is SO big... but I've been there where you have to look for parking.

4) From where I'm at... I have to deal with the SH tunnels, and they are always working/closing them. Then the traffic on Carson St sucks.

5) Where it's at... it's not protected at all. AND... on a busy weekend/holiday... the waves, and current makes retrieving a boat (putting it back on the trailer) very hard.

Anyway... Sure... any public ramp can get this way... but it seems like ANY weekend, with nice weather gets ugly. And I'm the kind of guy who try's to avoid stress. But don't get me wrong. It's a nice park, and a nice ramp, and I generally don't worry about my truck, or kids when I'm there... even though, the crime has gone up on Carson St.



From where I'm at... the Ramp in Sharpsburgh is (more or less) the same distance, and still in the Pittsburgh pool. I don't mind going though the locks, but I would rather not, when I have the kids on board.

It's not a great ramp, since it's been damaged, and there are things to watch for... but it's used less. Also... it's just below Lock #2, so people aren't driving fast, and the waters are more calm at the ramp.


Just an FYI... next Sat, there is A LOT going on around the point. So, if you are going out... get to a ramp EARLY !! If you don't know... the Kenny Chesney concert is a huge party on the water, and there will be people tied up to the wall by PNC starting later in the week.


Oh... Cute kids. :thumbsup: Mine are a pain in the butt... but I love them, and they love the water.

 

[challenger01]

I was wondering if anyone ever used the ramp near the Edgar Thompson Plant in Braddock? I bike on the trail below Kennywood and you can see it next to the plant, and it is in the Pittsburgh pool. I am not sure what the parking arrangement is or if I would want to leave my truck there for an extended time period. I know my father works in Braddock and he has some guys that pull their boats to work and cut out early on Fridays and drop in at that ramp. It also looks pretty steep.

My wife and I have tickets to the concert so we will be down there walking around before the show, so I won't have my boat with me. I will look for a huge collection of SeaDoo's!

 

[Dr Honda]

Officially... I don't think it's open, and it's not public. It was a privet ramp for industry. Besides... Braddock is an ugly area, and I wouldn't leave my truck there.


The official stance right now... the only 2 public ramps are SS and Sharpsburgh. BUT... if you want to pay a few $$$ then most of the marina's will let you use the ramp. They are nice, and have parking.

On your boat... and the age of your kids... it may not be a big deal to go thought the locks. My youngest is 2, and the Islandia is easy to just walk off the end, since it's a deck boat. Your boat... you physically have to go over the side, or the rear seat. Mine has steps to the front swim deck, and it's a straight shot to the rear. So... a 2 year old, at full run can be gone. To me it's not "Unsafe"... but I don't want to swim in the lock.

IF... you want to use the locks... there is a ramp in McKeesport, but there isn't a courtesy dock. (so someone has to hold the boat, making it a 2 person job) Or there is a very nice ramp in Hammarville.

The only down side is the distance to the point. (depending on your fuel consumption) From McKeesport, it's about 20mi to the point... and harmar is 14mi.

 

[challenger01]

You are right about leaving a truck ib braddock. I have friends at McKeesport marina and Carosel in Elizabeth but they require 1 or 2 locks and I have never done that. I would take an experienced boater w ith me.

Whrn I got to the Yough it is approximately 16 miles long so I can rack up some miles over a day of running back and forth.

THe picture I posted is 2 years old. My kids have grown so much. I am glad I have had the boat while they are young. Its my favorite famiy activity.

 

[Dr Honda]

Going though the Locks isn't a big deal at all. The Lock master will help you out, and most of them are friendly.

Basically... put a couple bumpers on the starboard side... and tie a rope to your front kleet. When they give the signal (horn, or lights) you go in... they put a hook down... you put your rope on... they hang it loosely to a pile... and you hold the other end to keep you boat close to the wall. Then... you either let rope out, or pull it in as you go up or down.

Some locks will have floating piles (pins) and you hook on to them yourself. (you need about 75' worth of rope to be safe, but most locks only have a 15~20 rise)

Honestly... I go though the locks more often with my JetSkis, that will the boat. My favorite ride is to drop into little Boston... go down the Yough to the Mon. Go though the Lock in Braddock... and head to the point. It's about 45 miles round trip.

 

[buckeye_paul]

Hey Tony,

For whatever reason, I can't seem to find those guide posts you got from Overton's web site. At least not anything that was $59. I Google searched "long run heavy duty guide on posts".... The only place that came up in the search results was a store in Florida. ($57 + $15 shipping).
????

 

[Seadoobuddy]

BuckeyePaul,
I believe that Dr. got these #72478 reg price is $79.99 with a 30% off coupon or sale that was going on at that time brings it down to $55.99 and FREE shipping with orders over $50.

On page 69 of the 2013-#6A catalog.

 

[Dr Honda]

These were the one's I got:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...st-Guide-Ons-48-High&i=72478&r=view&from=grid



I did have a one time coupon that brought them down to $55... and it's free shipping. (the code right now is JUNEFREE)

 

[buckeye_paul]

These were the one's I got:

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...st-Guide-Ons-48-High&i=72478&r=view&from=grid



I did have a one time coupon that brought them down to $55... and it's free shipping. (the code right now is JUNEFREE)

Ok. Thanks

 

[buckeye_paul]

After further review, I'm going with Biff's VV's or will fabricate something similar. I want the guide posts to be perpendicular to the road.
Because Doc Honda's and Challenger01's installations are angled, the trailer takes up more roadway.
I tow up a very busy two lane highway and don't want to have a mishap that could have been avoided.
I'm also going to relocate my trailer lights and license plate up to the post brackets.

 

[Dr Honda]

I know this is an older post... but I want to give you guys an update.


The first time out... I didn't know if I was going to like the poles or not. Basically... When trying to get on the trailer... I hit one hard !! That, in itself wasn't an issue, since it flexed... and it did kind of put me back on the trailer. But... the next couple times I put the boat on... I was a little more careful.

Well... when we were out last Sunday... there was a 10 mph wind, directly across the ramp... so the boat was drifting to the side some. So... once the boat had it's nose on the front... the tail was starting to drift... and it was sitting on one of the poles. But... the pole did it's job, and kept the boat from drifting off the trailer. Then as I pulled the trailer out... the boat settled onto the bunks, and it was centered enough to just tie it down.



So... I guess it's a love hate relationship. Generally, I don't need them, and yes... they make the trailer EXTRA wide. (in ref to Buckeye) But when there is a wind, or a current... they do their job, and keep the boat from drifting away. So, overall... it was worth the $50.

 

[challenger01]

I had a similar situation this weekend and I found the poles to be a significant help.

The other issue was in the parking lot...
When I went to retrieve my truck and trailer I was really pinned in on both sides and suv's parked behind me. The poles were helpful in knowing where the back of my empty trailer was.

I would say they are worth the small cost.