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Random Quote: Red sky in morning, Sailors take warning.
Just picked up a brand new al. trailer built for a Mako 261. Builder says it might need a slight adjustment or two to get bunks dead-on for a perfect fit. The boat has resided in the dry stacks at the marina since birth in 1992. Any tips on the best way to measure for set-up would be of help. We will head down tomorrow to and see what we can do. We will have the aid of the fork lift to hold boat over the trailer for measurements (that way if something happens we can ruin the boat and the new trailer at the same time!). Is this the best way?
To center the bucks, I measured from the center of the trailer. For example if I wanted a space of 36", I went 18" each side from center. I wanted the boat as low on the trailer as I could get it yet maintaining the proper support on the hull. That way I don't have to back as deep into the water.
You want the transom to be supported by the bunks. My transom comes to the end of my bunks, not past. A "hook" can be generated by extending the transom past the bunks. You adjust the bunk location and winch position to get the best tongue weight which is approx 10% of the weight I believe.
I spaced my bunks to give the low height on the trailer, but still spaced as to support under the stringers of the boat. I covered my bunks with carpet as most do. A nice pretty majestic blue I must say.
In the sponsors forum, there's a boat trailer sponsor. Give him a try and he can provide you with the straight scoop I should think.
Location: Quebec, Canada and Pirates Cove, OBX, NC
Posts: 17,813
RE: Setting up new trailer--- Any advise?
Sounds like you got a good trailer and you are going to be able to trailer to where the fish are biting
You have probably already done this, but as an aside, please check your trailer to be sure that (1) the safety chains are good and solid with safety hooks on them (2) that the safety chain that backs up your winch is plenty solid in case the winch fails (3) that you have good solid transom tie downs to prevent the boat from bouncing around (4) the hubs are well greased before you trailer your boat. Safe boating
Just a point of caution when setting up the boat to the trailer. DO NOT spread the bunks so far apart the when loading the boat onto the trailer from the water that the stem / keel of the boat hits the first cross member of the trailer. This has happened to many a fellow and it makes for a very bad day.
Also look at your chines in relationship to the bunks. Dont set the bunks for a perfect fit even or almost even with the chines on either side, the boat will walk or fall of one and load crooked, especially when loading in a cross wind or current.
and you can always make adjustments later. A floor jack, some blocks of wood can be used to support one side of boat at a time while you reposition bunks, etc. I rebunked a whole trailer with the boat on it this way.
Insure that the boat assumes a correct attitude on the trailer so that rainwater drains from the boat while trailering. Ive seen more than a couple with a slight bow down attitude that accumulate rain in the boat.
I added 2 more bunks down low, angled to the hull angle on my trailer last year. before this, crosswind or current made loading it a bear. Now, I just drive it up and it self centers perfect no matter what because the bow gets centered by the additional bunks. Little details make the difference, Its so easy now that even my wife can drive it on.
Setting up new trailer--- Any advise? 
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