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I just bought my boat and I purchased a new aluminum trailer to go with it. I have a World Cat 250DC and the trailer was manufactured specifically for that hull. Being a cat trailer the winch post is very tall with ladder steps welded on to it. The winch post is bolted to the tongue just forward of where the two main frame rails come together at the tongue. This puts the winch post about 4 ft from the bow of the boat which makes the ladder step useless. My question is can I rebolt that winch post closer to the bow so that I can use the steps to actually climb aboard the boat while it's on the trailer?
Lee, it sounds like you have a trailer for a longer WC (or you are not pulling it up all the way, which I doubt). Does the tongue extend past the point where the two side rails meet?
Without a picture of the boat sitting on the trailer as you currently load it I would be reluctant to give you any advice.
On mine, I have the winch that far away because my bow pulpit will hit it on steeper ramps when loading/unloading the boat. I use the ladder on the transom to get on/off the boat. I'm too afraid to get "something" caught up on the anchor
To answer your original question: Yes, but I would make sure the pulpit doesn't hit the post. I don't think the ladder is intended for boarding the boat. They put it there to make it easier to get to the winch. At least that is how mine is setup.
Looking at your picture, I don't think you have much of a choice. You can't move it back because you would have to be behind where the frame comes together on the tongue, which would put you too close to the boat. You would definitely hit the pulpit when loading/unloading.
BTW, nice looking boat!
Have you joined the World Cat forum yet? Lot's of good information on there.
Looking at your picture, I don't think you have much of a choice. You can't move it back because you would have to be behind where the frame comes together on the tongue, which would put you too close to the boat. You would definitely hit the pulpit when loading/unloading.
BTW, nice looking boat!
Have you joined the World Cat forum yet? Lot's of good information on there.
JeremyJ;
I have registered at the World Cat forum but the Administrator must be on an extended vacation because it has been three weeks and they haven't activated my account yet.
I think I have a more serious issue...tongue weight. I just took the boat on an extended trip and the trailer whipped the ass end of my truck around like a rag doll. I really don't have too much room to move the bow stop forward...maybe 6-8". However, I am inspired by JeremyJ's rig with the tool box. I have the room to put a tool box seeing as how I have bottle jacks, lugwrenches, tools, bearing kits, etc. Not to mention that I haven't mounted my two spare tires on the trailer yet. Also considering the amount of space between the winchpost and the bow stop I have been thinking about adding some galvanized grating to walk on when retrieving the boat. All of those things are sure to add a few hundred pounds on the tongue.
I dont think adding hardware to the front to increase the tongue weight is the answer.
I hate to say it but I still think the trailer is wrong (too long) for the boat. Can the winch stand be relocated rearward past the side frame join to the tube that the bow stop is clamped to?
I have a WC 266 SC and the trailer was made for the boat and has 9' of tongue past the bow. I don't get any fish tailing and I tow regularly on the interstate at 70mph. Being to long does not cause fishtailing. Improper balance for and aft or side to side is what causes it if the trailer is in good condition.
I once had emptied one of the tanks and the other was full making 600#s of additional load on one side. I didn't fill it up immediately, thought it might be beneficial towing without the xtra wt, wrong, the unbalanced made it terrible. I couldn't get over 60 or so without fishtailing it was very difficult to maintain control. Both tanks were filled and all was fine.
I have registered at the World Cat forum but the Administrator must be on an extended vacation because it has been three weeks and they haven't activated my account yet.
e-mail them again. It took me a couple tries to get through when I joined up.
__________________ John
2006 World Cat 250DC
Twin Honda 150
It looks like the boat could afford to come forward a couple of inches but not much. That might help. As stated by others a little bit makes a big difference. You definitly need to allow room for the puplit when deciding where the winch mast goes as it will be lower when you approach from the water.. The trailer looks a little big for the boat but not by that much. Maybe check with the manufacturer to be sure what they recommend for the boat.
I keep mine in the water all year so it gets trailered only about 10 miles each way in the spring and fall but we brought it home which was about a 100 mile trip and it was steady and straight the entire way.
Enjoy the new boat!!
Here are some shots on the trailer.
__________________ John
2006 World Cat 250DC
Twin Honda 150
I'm with One4Water, I would try to move the boat up on the trailer more to increase your tongue weight. Do you have any hull overhanging the bunks at the rear? It looks like you could move the front bunk forward some, if needed.
My trailer was made for a WC 266, but I use it for a 226 and I don't have any sway issues with the trailer. That said, I do keep the boat in the water and only trailer it for maintenance. I am yet to take it on a long trip, but I have had it up to around 65 mph with the boat loaded.
The transom is already resting fully on the pads and that is where the distance of 6-8" came from. I could definitely move the bow stops up the next time I launch it. Hey just another reason to put it in the water right?
Cat Trailers 
