So I recently bought my first jet boat, a '77 Miller and have run into a few issues I would like to put to rest.

First,
The handle for the winch seems to hit the boat 


Second,
Not sure why this is happening.. When I load the boat onto the trailer it loads straight, then while in transport the boat will shift an inch or so to the right causing this..



Third,
I was pulling everything out of the bow and realized that the drivers side bulkhead is rotted and broken for the most part.




I plan to pull the winch and weld up a new bracket to pull it towards the truck a bit more, so I can get the boat a bit more onto the trailer and possibly alleviate the problem with it moving during transport?

As far as the gelcoat, I really want to repair it. Any advice? I have read up on the forums a bit before posting this and it seems to be some 150 grit sandpaper and crystaliner will do the trick for the most part?

Now onto the Bulkhead. Are they hard to replace? Is it worth replacing? Is it bad enough to not take out until it is fixed?

Any input would help out greatly. Thanks!!

Aaron

I agree with Ralph.... Seems that the trailer is either wrong or someone has modified the trailer for nun for the better. If it were my trailer I woiuld ditch the winch and put the floater bar back on it. As far as the bulkhead goes I would not run the boat until it is fixed, yes it will be a pain mainly because of the cramped space, but it will not be hard if you have any experience with wood and glass. I personally like doing glass work(glutton for punnishment) and actually have a bulkhead replacement job lined up for when it cools down on my neighbors Conolly cruiser. Just remember if you do the work yourself, cardboard patterns are your friend andbe sure to make your bulkhead about a half inch or so smaller than the hole andspace it up from the bottom and top so the bulkhead Does Not come in  contact with the hull itself(it will crack if it does). hope this helps


SJ

Get a bigger side v roller on both sides. Also either use dip or a heater hose cut in center for the floater bar where it goes to hull. Keeps it from rubbing on the gel.

true whren i midified my bar this winter I ordered a chunk of urethane from Mcmaster Carr and urethaned it to the floater bar. works bitchen

I agree with Ralph.... Seems that the trailer is either wrong or someone has modified the trailer for nun for the better. If it were my trailer I woiuld ditch the winch and put the floater bar back on it. As far as the bulkhead goes I would not run the boat until it is fixed, yes it will be a pain mainly because of the cramped space, but it will not be hard if you have any experience with wood and glass. I personally like doing glass work(glutton for punnishment) and actually have a bulkhead replacement job lined up for when it cools down on my neighbors Conolly cruiser. Just remember if you do the work yourself, cardboard patterns are your friend andbe sure to make your bulkhead about a half inch or so smaller than the hole andspace it up from the bottom and top so the bulkhead Does Not come in  contact with the hull itself(it will crack if it does). hope this helps


SJ

Thanks for the info, I noticed it partially when I purchased that boat. After taking out to needles for labor day weekend and getting slapped around by 30+ boats for a few minutes it seems to have gotten a bit worse. Just to make sure I am picking up what you are putting down, leave a half inch gap up top and bottom on the plywood? And just glass the outsides to the bottom and top of the hull? I imagine the glass will hold everything together but will not put enough pressure on the boat to crack it?

Aaron

i was thinking of trying that liquid stuff that you dip wrenches and shit into i think its called liquid rubber or something? what do you think

thats what i did my floater bar with ralph .it works tits 

From the looks of your link....Either the v-bow or bow roller. I have the bow roller. It should be a 3 piece deal as mine is, small center v roller with two big v roller ears that go on the outside part. The rubber tool stuff is called Dip as thats what you do to achieve the rubber cover. They come in different colors and is sold at home d.  http://www.plastidip.com/  I would consider getting rid of one of the set ups. Most light jets have just the bar for a clean look.  If you go that route, to feel safe as you tow wrap a tie down strap from the bow eye to trailer. My winch is mounted upside down for ease of use without hitting hull. Mounting it that way will pull the hull down on the roller and will help from bouncing somewhat.

like so:





you can see the gap and then the 2" or so layer onto the hull and onto the gunnel support.  aka = tabbing.  but like mentioned you dont want it wedged in there and you MUST leave a gap.

What he said ^^^^^



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