by SMHolmans on Sat May 13, 2023 2:57 pm
I spent some time very recently discussing the winch post configuration with a leading boat trailer manufacturer here in the UK, and their recommendation (stipulation!) was that the bumper (here we call it the snubber) must meet the boat about two thirds of the way up the stem.
This is for safety and security reasons.
They say that it is dangerous to have the bumper low down on the stem because the boat could jump up and leave the trailer in the event of a collision or emergency stop.
They would not support having the bumper below the PocketShip bow eye, for that reason. And will not build such a winch post.
So, we have configured my winch post accordingly, so that the bumper is up high, and the winch is down low - in line with the bow eye. We don't want the boat trying to get into the car in the event of an accident!
The problem is that the PocketShip bow eye has two roles - to secure the bobstay, which means it must be low down on the stem, and to drag the boat onto the trailer, which is where the problem occurs - because a winch is normally high up at the top of the winch post - where it cannot usefully or safely pull PocketShip onto the trailer.
The downside to this is that the bobstay must be disconnected while in transit. I guess that is not a big issue - we will see.
My conclusion is that a custom winch post is required. Which is what I am building.