Attaching SN 196 to Trailmater Trailer

[jeclarke]

My new (to me) model year 2001 SN 196 came on a Trailmaster trailer. The trailer has a nice winch with a wide nylon strap for attaching to the bow of the boat.

My previous boat was a Sea Ray 17' outboard and it had both a rope winch for attaching to the bow as well as a short chain with a hook that one also attached to the bow once the boat was in position on the trailer. If when trailering the boat the winch broke the fixed chain would only let the boat move backwards 1-2".

I'm concerned that the Trailmaster trailer has no "backup" for the winch. I could make up something to be a backup but I'm wondering why it didn't come standard with the trailer.

What am I missing? Do many Nautique trailers use only the winch?

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[AuMDLST]

RE: Attaching SN 196 to Trailmater Trailer

Ramlin trailers only have a turnbuckle with spring hook - no winch ( at least on the 06 model that carries my 210) and 94 SNOB and 05 206TE

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Attaching SN 196 to Trailmater Trailer

You could have a loop welded at the base of the bow stop and add a turnbucle. It might also keep the boat from porposing while trailering. My prestige trailer worked best with the strap and the turnbucle.

[Teleman]

RE: Attaching SN 196 to Trailmater Trailer

I welded the two nuts to the base of the bow stop bracket and then welded "T" handles to the bolt heads. This allows me to move the bow stop back and forth with no tools. I need to do this if I trailered it and it went forward to the stops and I need the room to slip the cover on. I have not found another need to have a back up to the winck though. Most of the time the boat moves forward due to the truck breaking. I haven't seen it go backwards yet. I even loosen the winch (still locked) when trailering. Still no back movement. Maybe a steep bumpy road going up would do it.

[2gofaster]

RE: Attaching SN 196 to Trailmater Trailer

I have trailered Nautiques for 20 years with nothing more than the winch attached to the bow eye.

[j2nh]

Ramlin setup

This is pretty much the way it is and has been done on Ramlin trailers. Note that the winch is an option, normally these trailers come with the bow stop and a turnbuckle. Check your trailer you may already have a loop for a turnbuckle at the base or you could have one welded on.

[jeclarke]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess the winch by itself should be enough and if I decide I want to add a turnbuckle I can cobble something on my own.

[todda]

jeclarke, I always heard the same advice about towing tourn inboards w/just the winch strap, and did so until about 7 yrs ago... I was towing my (then) '90 Ski Brendella from the lake to my buddy's house to drop him off. There was a large hill going into his neighborhood and about 1/2 way up felt a "pop." Didn't think much of it until I got to his house to realize that the winch strap had broke, and the boat slid back about 10 inches on the trailer. That was enough to have me always trailer with something else of a safety on the front. When we purchased our 99 SN, I had a shop weld an eye on the trailer to put a safety turnbuckle on. Just my $.02...

Todd

[jeclarke]

Todd - Thanks for the advice. I'll figure out how to add a safety strap or turnbuckle to my trailer.

[todda]

No problem jeclarke...cheap insurance. And you know how the thought goes: If it is there, you will never need it!

Todd