PVC guide ons VS. rear bunk guide on boards for loading

[Hooked1]

As far as consistent, easy, drive on boat loading...how do to the side mounted bunk style "guide on" boards that cradle the rear of the boat compare with the standard PVC guide on poles? (talking about a small 16ft. fishing boat and a 21 ft. bay boat)
thanks

[Eyehooker]

I have a combo-- side boards with PVC poles with my lights-- some states not over 5 ft height--- Used on my 17 ft crestliner and searay-- I would go with the guide on because the PVC will bend with a heavy wind or when you goof too hard

[Kamper]

I have side bunks and rollers. It's almost like loading into a chute. After a long day, it makes things a lot easier when you have wind and current complications.

[Mr. Demeanor]

I have had both and like the side bunks better until its time to wash and wax. Not that I have any problems with the guide ons but the side bunks really out the boat in the middle every time.

I had very long side bunks though. This is what it looksl ike towing a boat through the Smokey Mountain National Park. Theres no water up there in case you wondered

[tg]

I've never used 'em, but those long side bunks are all the rage on the west coast. You might want to ask on the west coast forum.

[mole2]

As a third option there are roller style boat guides which is what I use. You can see them here:

Roller Style Boat Guides at West Marine

[Hooked1]

I see some Guide on Boards that are 24" long and some that are 5 feet long. For my 16ft. aluminum semi V hull, would the 5 foot boards be overkill? Would the 24" boards make enough difference to justify getting rid of my PVC guide on poles?

Would there be any point (if they both fit) to using the PVC poles AND the Guide on Boards? (I do use the PVC poles as an indicator of when to stop when they line up with my cleats, but other than that...)
thanks again
Emile

[HullSlap]

I would just stick with the PVC on such a small light hull. I only have the PVC pipes on the trailer for my 20' Sea Hunt and they work very well. I can't imagine you'll see a dramatic difference switching over to 24" guide boards. The pipes are already there and I imagine they work okay. Why go through the trouble of switching?

[Kamper]

Mine are about 4-5 ft long and my boat is aprx 16 feet long. I considerred the posts but I cant remember the details from 7-8 years ago.

[richg]

Put the trailer lights on the top of the PVC guide on posts, and be happy.

Side boards ( which I still have on one boat, along with PVC uprights) sometimes are too low to do their job on a steep ramp. Tall PVC poles let me back up the empty trailer to recover the boat much easier; launch and recover with heavy side winds, and I wouldn't have a boat without them.

I figuered out a way to rig the launch line so that it doesn't hang up..and I can launch by myself with no trouble. RG