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sgicinto.
I have an 04 Pantera classic on an 04 Basscat trailer. My problem is that the fiberglass is chipping around the bow eye. Which I hear that it is common for this to happen due to incorrect launching on the trailer, that is not the problem. I installed a new bow stop (stoltz) and the problem wasnt solved. When the new bow stop was installed the bow stop bracket was twisted and putting one side of the roller in a bind keeping the roller from moving. Is it possible that I got a bad trailer? Does anyone have a solution? I dont want to keep tearing up my bow. Thanks, SamLast edited by sgicinto on February 13th, 2008, 2:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
I seem to recall that the front roller is not necessarily supposed to turn (mine doesnt). So having a slight twist in the bracket might not necessarily be all that problematic, although one certainly wouldnt want very much twist in the bracket there. I presume when you state that you put a new bow stop on, you are speaking of the newer style that BCB started offering a few months ago which has the cut-outs in the outer rubber pieces. If you have a newer style soft black rubber one like that, you shouldnt be having any problems unless you are powerloading too forcefully. The gap between the outer and inner rubber roller parts before the modification was the primary problem causing bow eye area damage. Before I got the modified roller, my method was to first back the trailer in pretty shallow and only try to get the boat about 3/4 up on the trailer. Its much easier to get the boat lined up properly when the trailer in shallower than if in deeper. Then after waiting a few moments for the boat to settle, I would have a buddy back slowly down a few feet while I gently eased the boat up the rest of the way to the stop. If I was alone, I attached the hook and winched it as much as I could (without forcing it), then back the trailer down a few feet more before winching it up the rest of the way. Hope this helps, others may have different suggestions.
As BoBo mentioned the new roller w/ the cut outs is nice and will prevent you from putting the sharp nose of the boat in between the two rollers, this can and will chip the glass if it happens. The other thing is you mentioned the Stoltz roller…that is not recommended because it is a harder material and can cause chipping also should you hit that roller hard. The best roller and the one BCB recommends is the soft black one. It will leave black streaks on the boat if you hit it hard but they remove easily and are much easier on the boat. Good luck and sorry for your trouble. If you think your winch stand is bent is could be from hitting it on the side or maybe it was mounted incorrectly. I have never seen that but there is a first for everything. If that is what you are thinking then forward a picture to [email protected] and they will take a look at it and figure out what is going on. Judd Lasiter
The new cut out side rollers work great and Keelguard also makes a product called a scuff buster that also prevents scuffing and chipping around the bow eye. Its a nice looking stainless steel plate with a notch in the center. I know BCB also recommends the black softer rubber rollers versus the hard tan colored rollers. The tan rollers can also chip the area in front of the bow area. Glenn
Get rid of that Stoltz bow roller and replace your bow roller assembly with the new & improved side rollers while replacing the middle roller with either a soft black roller or one of the butter yellow middle rollers. The butter yellow center bow rollers are a little stiffer than the black ones, but not nearly as hard as the Stoltz rollers. In theory the Stoltz rollers claimed no scuffing or marring, but scuff the bow area nonetheless and seem to harden over the years.
The StoltZ is problematic in that it increasess chipping. We doubt your trailer is at issue, and if the bow brackets are twisted or bent forwards, it is from impact. We suggest the black rubber rollers to increase impact absorption, that increases chipping at the bow when loading. There are many factors that could be questioned, though it does sound like impact or missing the bow roller. The new notched bow end caps do improve that, and this has been brought up on this board many times. We hope this helps! BCB
Thanks BCB and everyone for all the helpful info. I am going to try the black rubber roller and see if that helps. Hope to see all of you at the OI! Sam
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