Gelcoat damage from trailer!

[pdxCC]

Alright guys. I need some guidance on how to prevent this. I am getting some decent gelcoat damage on my 01' Air Nautique from the chin roller on my DHM trailer. I think it may be from how i load the boat so tell me what i am doing wrong.

When i put her in i dunk the trailer until the transom floats and then we push/lightly back her off. I think we are good there. Top of fender is about 1" under.

When i load i dunk the trailer fenders 1-2". This leaves the last 2' of the loading where i have to winch the boat up so it touches the bow roller. This seems to put alot of pressure on the bow at the chin roller. So much so that i release the tension on the strap once we are out. Any suggestions on how to prevent this going forward? I'm looking at. $500 repair that i'd prefer to not repeat very often...

[pdxCC]

[jbach]

that damage is from your bow roller? i'd start with a new bow roller. or maybe replace with a bow stop.

[NautiqueJeff]

Sounds to me like you're backing in too deep when you're loading. I am not familiar with your specific trailer, but on my Ram-Lin trailers, I like to leave a couple of inches of fender out of the water, then load. That allows less pressure on the D-ring in the bow. Judging by the pictures, it looks like there is WAY too much pressure there, to the point that it is cracking the gelcoat where it sits on the roller as you pull the boat out.

[TX-Foilhead]

I had that same issue with my first boat, we have a short ramp with a big drop so there aren't any different options with how it's loaded. The center of the roller would wear through it was so bad, switched it to an amber colored roller that was more durable and never had another issue. That does sound a little deep for loading, but every ramp is a little different.

[jonsquatch]

Maybe get one of those stainless bow protectors to distribute the load to a larger area once you get it fixed? I would definitely be looking for a new softer bow roller. If your dragging the boat up and it is all the way on the bunks and pulled up tight before you pull up the ramp maybe relax the tension a bit and then tighten it up again just enough to lock it to prevent it happening again?

[AirTool]

side note....the more perfect the repair...the higher the cost based on either 1: time spent or 2:skill of the repairman

I admit to being a perfectionist but I would also state that that area of the boat doesn't need perfect looking gel.

My point is....take a crack at it yourself for less than 50 dollars for all supplies and an hour or so of your time.

You can always touch it up later....that is one beauty of gelcoat

[pdxCC]

Sir - What's the process? Clean area, roughen with 220-grit, clean again, build up thin layers h gel, San buff and go?


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[Woody_tobius_jr]

I had that same issue with my first boat, we have a short ramp with a big drop so there aren't any different options with how it's loaded. The center of the roller would wear through it was so bad, switched it to an amber colored roller that was more durable and never had another issue. That does sound a little deep for loading, but every ramp is a little different.

I had the same roller as the OP, and there was no give to it, very hard and weather worn, it was leaving scuffs, but nothing nearly as bad. I also switched to the amber/yellowish rollers nice and flexible, no scuffs since.

[TX-Foilhead]

I agree with Air Tool, fix that one yourself, its a perfect spot to learn on.

I thought the amber roller was harder and a different material, it spread the load a little better. My roller was more of a cylinder than a V and not compressing that roller as much made it work like it was supposed to.

[gvaldez3]

I'm not an expert gel guy, but it's not to hard to do. Check out youtube on how to repair gel coat and nauqitueparts.com has the gel coat supplies. Good luck

[gvaldez3]

I'm not a gel coat expert but it's not hard to do. check out "gel coat repair" on youtube and you can get the matching gel coat on nautiqueparts.com. Good luck

[pdxCC]

Ordered the gel from Nautique Parts. I hope the report will hold. Not too concerned with looks..! Where can I get the poly roller? NP didn't have them and CalTrailer works (DHM) doesn't either...


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[JayG80]

[QUOTE=pdxCC;213777]Alright guys. I need some guidance on how to prevent this. I am getting some decent gelcoat damage on my 01' Air Nautique from the chin roller on my DHM trailer. I think it may be from how i load the boat so tell me what i am doing wrong.

I had similar damage once - different model boat & trailer though. I did replace the stiff black bow roller with a softer amber one but later found out that the damage was not due to roller. On one steep ramp, I backed in too deep, the damage was during launch. The bow dropped down and hit the first trailer cross member on the frame after the boat was clear of the bow stop.

[AirTool]

+1 youtube

Is one possible scenario when you pull the boat out of the water the weight increases on the bow roller as the stern goes down. Usually it is opposite but I don't know your setup.