How high to set keel roller?

[RRocket]

I'm installing a self-centering keel roller on my trailer to help with loading.

 

How high do I set it? Just touching the keel? Barely touching the keel? 

 

Any info is appreciated.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Between the bunks, the keel roller is just to help center the boat....so just touching. Beyond the bunks, it provides support for the boat...so a little more firm on the pressure there.

[RRocket]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Between the bunks, the keel roller is just to help center the boat....so just touching. Beyond the bunks, it provides support for the boat...so a little more firm on the pressure there.

Thanks so much! 

[airshot]

All depends on how the rest of the trailer is setup.  No one can say for sure without knowing the weight of your boat and how the trailer is setup.   

[gim]

I don’t even see my keel roller when I load my boat. It’s completely underwater. Mine is a Ranger Trail bunk trailer.

[RRocket]

15 minutes ago, airshot said:

All depends on how the rest of the trailer is setup.  No one can say for sure without knowing the weight of your boat and how the trailer is setup.   

Boat is a featherweight.

 

Boat is 500lbs., 50hp is 200lbs.

 

Rollers are only being used to get the boat easily centered on trailer.

[Way2slow]

Everything on the trailer the boat is sitting on should to be adjusted so the hull is evenly supported.  The bunks and the front roller are the main support, and they should be adjusted so the front and back of the bunks are evenly supporting the boat with the boat pulled into the stop and sitting on the front roller.  Then you adjust the other rollers so they are just putting a small amount of support pressure on the hull.

On smaller lighter weight boats this is very critical.  Improperly adjusted bunks or rollers can cause the hooks or rockers in the hull.   Let a boat develop a rocker from not being supported and it will want to porpoise badly.  Hooks create more drag and makes boat slower.  Even on a 25mph boat, a hook in the hull can slow one down a couple mph.  

Over the years, I have seen numbers of boats the hulls were damaged on by sitting on an improperly adjusted trailer. 

[RRocket]

2 hours ago, Way2slow said:

Everything on the trailer the boat is sitting on should to be adjusted so the hull is evenly supported.  The bunks and the front roller are the main support, and they should be adjusted so the front and back of the bunks are evenly supporting the boat with the boat pulled into the stop and sitting on the front roller.  Then you adjust the other rollers so they are just putting a small amount of support pressure on the hull.

On smaller lighter weight boats this is very critical.  Improperly adjusted bunks or rollers can cause the hooks or rockers in the hull.   Let a boat develop a rocker from not being supported and it will want to porpoise badly.  Hooks create more drag and makes boat slower.  Even on a 25mph boat, a hook in the hull can slow one down a couple mph.  

Over the years, I have seen numbers of boats the hulls were damaged on by sitting on an improperly adjusted trailer. 

Excellent. Interesting information.

 

Boat is already supported nicely by rear bunk and roller at winch.

 

Just looking for an additional roller to help with proper centering to ease 1 man loading. 

 

Thanks again.

 

This was a brief discussion of the boat. 

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/?&q=Uncommon bass boat&search_and_or=and

 

I will update that thread as the boat is setup the way I want now.