Boatmate trailer launching depth, any ideas on a replacement bow roller?

[Miljack]

Two seperate questions I have in regards to our Boatmate for a 230.

1. How deep are you guys putting the trailer in the water? I've tried a few different depths, and not yet found the right combo. I don't trailer a ton, our local ramp is a fairly shalllow angle, when we've traveled, the ramps have been steeper, so different launching and loading conditions.
My challenge is loading it on straight so it centers on the bow roller. I eventually get it on there somewhat straight (can you tell I prefer the crash pads?), and the boat does center up on the rear bunks quite well.

2. The bow roller is a clear/yellowish rubber, and it's marking up the bow of the boat, any suggestions on a replacement? Hopefully a different compound of rubber/plastic...

[dfoster]

Note: I have a 2004 SV211 with a Boatmate trailer... YMMV

I back the trailer in until the front bunks are underwater. On some really shallow ramps this puts the truck in the water, on steeper ramps we are way out of the water. On some ramps (typically steeper) I have found that when I winch the boat in, the nose starts lining up below the roller. When this happens, I just winch the boat so that it is a couple inches away from the roller, but is held in place. Then I have the driver pull out a bit. As they pull out the stern sits down on the bunks and the nose comes up. Once the nose comes up, I can winch all the way in. You need to do this before you pull all the way out, or you probably will not be able to move the boat.

I haven't seen marking on my nose due to the roller... so can't comment on that.

[TxJole]

Get TPR blue rubber roller.

[Miljack]

ok, I'll try the depth thing, I've been leaving the front 6-8" of the bunks out of the water, and have been trying to drive it onto the bow roller. When I've tried to winch it closer, all it does is pull the bow down, not forward.

I'll try out the blue roller and see if that works any better.

[CradGen2]

I keep a micro fiber towel on my roller. Not prefect but works. I miss the crash pads too.

[lucky7t]

I sink the bunks all the way. Bring it in slow until it stops. Get out and winch up.

No scratches here at all.

[schaabj]

I always have a separate driver on the boat and vehicle. I have the trailer backed in to just over the fenders, then I bring the boat straight onto the trailer. The boat obviously doesnt make it all the way up to the fron roller at this point. I then have the driver in the vehicle back in to submerge the trailer and I feather in/out of gear to slowly move the boat up close to the winch then jump down the front and winch it in the last little bit.

I hate when people power up the bunks by ramming the throttle ... it shortens the life of the trailer and also create massive ruts at the end of the boat ramps.