2016 170 Montauk Trailer Guide Bunks

A conversation among Whalers
richiemac
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:41 pm

2016 170 Montauk Trailer Guide Bunks

Postby richiemac » Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:50 pm

I am interested in [trailer]guide bunks [for a c.2016 170 MONTAUK.]

Backstory: I just bought a 2016 170 Montauk with Mercury 90 FOURSTROKE with 2.7 hours for $26,500 in Daytona beach. {The seller] had health concerns immediately after delivery, and there it sat in the garage.

I just bought a Mercury Vessel View mobile. I extended the factory warranty by five years to a total of six years with the Platinum Plan.

Karavan swing trailer.
Fishing package.
Rear livewell.
No guide bunks.
Garmin 73 cv.
Flare gun.
Bimini.
Full bow rail.
Raised rear rail.

Impeccable boat. Getting everything ready to break-in. I'm retired. My last whaler was an 1989 Outrage with twin 70-HP engines; I went to a Yamaha F115. Best boat. I'm quite excited.

My tow vehicle is 2000 TUNDRA 4WD 4.7-liter.

Ready to fish.

Ridge Runner
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:12 pm
Location: Florham Park NJ / Punta Gorda FL

Re: 2016 Montauk 170

Postby Ridge Runner » Sat Apr 21, 2018 9:04 am

Congratulations! Very nice price for a great boat! Good luck with her.
Member since 2005
2005 170 Montauk, 2010 E-TEC 115 H.O.
2016 210 Montauk, 2017 E-TEC G2 200 H.O.

"Red sky at night, sailor’s delight - Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning”

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Dutchman
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Location: Kalamazoo, MI (South Haven)
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Re: 2016 Montauk 170

Postby Dutchman » Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:55 pm

Excellent price for a great boat, you'll enjoy it immensely but won't be as smooth as the old Outrage you had.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: 2016 170 Montauk Trailer Guide Bunks

Postby jimh » Wed Apr 25, 2018 9:56 am

richiemac wrote:I am interested in [trailer]guide bunks [for a c.2016 170 MONTAUK.]


Trailer guide are a good addition, but I don't think side bunks are particularly necessary or the best option.

I have been using the taller white PVC poles mounted at the extreme rear of the trailer. The tall poles keep the stern of the boat in line while loading. I find them essential. They are particularly useful if there is any sort of cross wind or cross current at the loading ramp. All of the ramps I use prohibit "power-loading" where the boat is driven onto the trailer with propulsion from the boat engine. I load the boat by floating it onto the trailer and then winching it forward the last few feet. The tall pole trailer guides do a great job in keeping the stern of the boat from getting out of line.

There really are not trailer guides that are specific to a particular boat model. These tall PVC poles will adapt to almost any trailer.

Trailer side bunks will add more weight to the trailer and the total towed weight. I don't see much advantage to them. They are usually engaging the sides of the boat until the boat is almost fully loaded on the trailer. The tall poles hold the boat during the entire loading process.

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: 2016 170 Montau Trailer Guide Bunks

Postby jimh » Wed Apr 25, 2018 9:58 am

richiemac wrote:...I'm quite excited...


I think that emotion came through in your post. Boating often does add excitement--or sometimes a bit of panic.

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Phil T
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Re: 2016 170 Montauk Trailer Guide Bunks

Postby Phil T » Wed Apr 25, 2018 11:42 am

If one needs additional assistance getting the hull lined up on the trailer when winching the boat (note-power loading is not recommended) onto the trailer, pvc guides are highly recommended. If one has very rough sea conditions at the ramp, rear guide rollers are preferable to PVC guides given their added strength.

The key factor to an easy retrieval is the appropriate location/depth of the trailer in the water. Each boat/trailer combination is unique so trial and error is necessary.

Most owners either dunk the trailer either too deep or not enough.

Once the ideal depth is identified, mark the water level on the front face of the left trailer wheel fender horizontally with white duck tape so it is viewable in the driver side mirror. This will allow you to easily back the trailer in to its sweet spot every time.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

jimh
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Re: 2016 170 Montauk Trailer Guide Bunks

Postby jimh » Wed Apr 25, 2018 12:54 pm

Phil's comments about the importance of the trailer's depth of immersion are extremely good advice. I have water-level marks on my tall white PVC posts (with black tape) that show the perfect water depth. When I back the trailer down the ramp, I watch these marks in the rear view mirror, using them to position the trailer.

Jefecinco
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Re: 2016 170 Montauk Trailer Guide Bunks

Postby Jefecinco » Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:36 am

I've had a couple of different trailers with PVC pipe guides. They seem to come in two types, heavy duty and other. Our current Sport Tail trailer has heavy duty guides and they are superior. The PVC pipe is thick wall but I don't remember the Schedule Number. The aluminum stubs are very well mounted and somewhat tall to provide additional lateral support. The PVC essentially provides a visual target while the metal stubs provide good positioning as the boat moves toward the winch stand.

I recommend heavy duty trailer guides.
Butch