JoshKeller
Well-known member
Hey guys, figured I'd type/show how I built a set of guide ons for my boat trailer. Being a jet, its hard enough to load onto the trailer in still water. add in current, and its almost impossible.
Total cost was around $25. I set my guide ons to be center with the rib on the outside wall of my boat. That left me with about 14" of metal per guide one. I got two 36" 1.5 x 1/4" x 36 flat bars. Cut each one down to 14", and saved the 4" piece. I c clamped the metal UPSIDE DOWN to the trailer frame where I wanted them to be. Put them upside down so there was no chance of scratching my hull, while I bent them to the approx angle I needed with a pipe wrench. Reversed them to the correct orientation on the trailer and test fit the 2 x 4 board. After verifying placement, I welded them onto the trailer. Then I took the 4" piece of scrap off each bracket, and welded it over the bend to add strength. Drilled out the holes for the bolt for the guide on board, and used an air ratchet to crank them down to sink the bolt head into the wood to avoid scratching the hull. I will carpet them when It get warms enough for the glue to properly set.
Total time was approx 1.5 hours.
Total cost was...
1.5 x .25 x 36" flat bar 8.79 x 2 = 17.58
2 x 4 board 2.79
4 5/16" bolts @ 70 cents total.
can of spray galvanize (not shown) 4.29
TOTAL = $25.36 not counting the carpet and glue.
Total cost was around $25. I set my guide ons to be center with the rib on the outside wall of my boat. That left me with about 14" of metal per guide one. I got two 36" 1.5 x 1/4" x 36 flat bars. Cut each one down to 14", and saved the 4" piece. I c clamped the metal UPSIDE DOWN to the trailer frame where I wanted them to be. Put them upside down so there was no chance of scratching my hull, while I bent them to the approx angle I needed with a pipe wrench. Reversed them to the correct orientation on the trailer and test fit the 2 x 4 board. After verifying placement, I welded them onto the trailer. Then I took the 4" piece of scrap off each bracket, and welded it over the bend to add strength. Drilled out the holes for the bolt for the guide on board, and used an air ratchet to crank them down to sink the bolt head into the wood to avoid scratching the hull. I will carpet them when It get warms enough for the glue to properly set.
Total time was approx 1.5 hours.
Total cost was...
1.5 x .25 x 36" flat bar 8.79 x 2 = 17.58
2 x 4 board 2.79
4 5/16" bolts @ 70 cents total.
can of spray galvanize (not shown) 4.29
TOTAL = $25.36 not counting the carpet and glue.