Guide-ons

[Gymnogene]

Do you guys recommend the shorter or longer style bunk guide-ons? The boat is a 21' Wahoo center console. I've put it on the trailer twice now without them, but I'd like a little help when dealing with current and if I'm by myself. Thanks in advance.
Matt

[Pauper Piscator]

Came with the boat and they work great. If the ramp is steep, you might consider long.

[Nauti Buoy]

Either the short or long will help with retrieving the boat, which is a big plus in a current, especially when alone. The added benefit of the long is being able to see & know where the rear of the trailer/boat is when backing down a steep ramp or in tight places. If you have a problem with the trailer lights, you can also use the long guide-ons to mount the lights up high, keeping them out of water.

[Squidly]

are guide ons the white PVC type posts on the sides of the trailer? If yes, does anyone know where I can purchase these? Thank you

[mansfieldsign]

Hi Squidly, Cabela's has them -look under trailer items. I would think Boaters World or West Marine should have them also. As the above post mentioned, if you trailer as much as I do, getting the Stop lights out of the water is something to think about. Saves me alot of headaches. :)

[iluvgear]

I would get the long ones,I think they are 6 feet, less than $100 from Cabelas. They look like trailer bunks. Forget about the tall PVC post helping you in a strong current or wind. I learned the hard way trying to load the boat on the trailer at the Bath ramp on the Kennebec with a full running tide. Get the long ones, you won't be sorry.

[PeteV]

This was posted as a suggestion a whille ago & is different from the PVC pole ... I was thinking about this for my trailer.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0017569015501a&navAction=push&navCount=3&indexId=cat21382&podId=0017569&catalogCode=ID&parentId=cat21382&parentType=index&rid=

[Yakfly]

I was investigating guide-ons recently and was discussing the merits of both with a local dealer and they rig up the horizontal carpeted bunk style for all their customers who want guide-ons. These were only about 2~3 feet long attached at the end of the trailer in two locations. The height of the vertical PVC pipes would be nice at a deep ramp, but I've seen some that are cracked and split and I question the strength of a sole vertical pole being able to fully withstand the force of a 2000lb+ boat pushing against it.

My only concern with the horizontal carpeted bunks is that they be kept clean and soft for I wouldn't want any chaffing to occur between the guide-on bunk and gel-coat.

As far a lights go, I long ago go rid of the plain vanilla hunk-o-junk trailer lights and replaced them with the Wesbar sealed capsule lights. I think I've replaced one bulb in 4 years. Now with the new LED lights that could possibly be stretched even further.

Haven't purchased yet, but I'm leaning towards the bunks, would appreciate any additional comments.

[SamRiley]

After what I had to go through last weekend trying to bring my boat in solo, I broke down and bought the Cabelas bunk guide-ons. Short money if you ask me.

[Codfisher]

are guide ons the white PVC type posts on the sides of the trailer? If yes, does anyone know where I can purchase these? Thank you

West Marine carries them.

[FireFly]

I recently installed the PVC guides and purchased the 60" model. First time using them it made an immediate difference.

I purchased (online) from Bass Pro shops- they have the lowest price around.

[Too Fly]

I have not been happy with the pvc/steel vertical "guide-ons." In my opinion they are good for one thing only, backing down a steep ramp. With the likelihood of fishing solo a bit this year, I decided on the Cabela's bunk guide-ons. Having both styles of guide-ons will be overkill, but what the heck. I already paid for them.

Last Friday I took a nice sized section of gel coat from the keel (bow) on a piece of concrete at the Winthrop ramp. :mad: The water was muddy and near dead low tide. I guess it's time to invest in a keel guard too.

Has anyone installed one of these? It's supposed to be easy.