The ACE alum. trailer my stepped 288 sits on has two notched 3x10's for support half way between the V and the Chine from the rear just forward of the step, then in front of that it has two 2x4's down low for support of the V, I'm wondering if I should add some additional 2x4 bunks to support the V in the rear, since my boat now spends most of its time on the trailer ????

Here is what my trailer looks like...

How about keel rollers on those crossbars?

You have to be careful- too slippery can work against you. make sure you have more straps than you think you'll ever need.

Chris,, I thought about adding two keel rollers, as that would be the easiest thing for added support, but the 288 has a large pad, so I dont think thats the way to go... ??

Chris,

Long time no talk to! How ya doin'?

I've actually talked to the guy at Ace before. Tim seems helpful but he is kind of hard to get in touch with. I think I still have his cell phone number if you want to try!

Guess what, the electric winch that I had "the winch" put on doesn't seem to work all that great any more! And just think, she even made me buy a $60.00 cover for the stupid thing! Something else to add to the story!

Question - Have you had any problems with the brakes on the trailer? The boyfriend noticed one of ours is sticking - the front tire/wheel on the driver's side was extremely hot the last time we drove to the marina and it stunk like burning clutch!

C-

I had 2 different pad-bottom Velocity boats. Stepp recommended keel pads on the trailer. Both had 8' long planks about 12" wide, then 2 keel rollers forward.

Definitely can't hurt, as long as you don't place them where they will interfere with the step when loading and unloading.

Hey C.... Doing good,, U ??.. The only time my trailer brakes " stick " is because I have to back the boat into the driveway on a slight incline and our trailers do not have lock-outs for the surge brakes so the coupler compresses and tends the lock the tire for a few feet the next time I pull the boat out... Other than that, except for the crappy carlisle tires and a split bunk it's been o.k. ...

As for the winch,,, I never saw the need for an electric one, possibly with roller trailers,,, but not with the bunk trailers our 288's sit on. The wife backs the trailer in, I idle her onto the trailer and all she needs is 2 or 3 turns of the winch and she's ready to roll..

Chris,, If I read this correctly,, basically your trailers had a " pad " bunk ??? so in addition to my two rear bunks I could make a flat carpeted bunk that runs up the middle of the trailer from the rear supporting the pad of the boat ?? if this is correct sounds like a good idea and pretty easy to accomplish.. thanks chris..

Glad to hear from ya! Doing ok down here! This was the first time it happened so I wasn't sure if it was just something else to go wrong for us or what?!?!?!? It just seems to be our luck! I know what you mean about the tires. I heard about all the blow outs! Knock on wood (sorry - no punn intended) - I don't think any of our bunks are split.

I usually "walk" the boat from the dock up on to the trailer and then he hooks it and then uses the winch to bring it the rest of the way in. He liked it because he had one with his old boat! It just doesn't seem to be pulling the boat all the way up on to the roller and tight to the roller anymore! I'm thankful for the straps on the back!

Have a good one and take care! Post pictures when you are done! Would like to see what you ended up doing!

C-

Exactly. 3 rails in the rear- one on the left and right just inside of the hard chine- probably 2x6's, then one down the center that was either a 2x10 or 12. They were only 8' long (on a 30' boat) then 2 rollers up front following the curve of the keel to dampen trailer flex. It was set up pretty well- the boat always found its proper spot on the trailer.