Boat Buddy® Trailer Accessory
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- Spring-loaded, stainless steel bolt
- Non-marring pad
- Easy installation
As your boat is driven onto the trailer, the bow eye contacts the Boat Buddy® and triggers a spring-loaded, stainless steel bolt through the bow eye, thereby attaching the boat to the trailer. Non-marring pad won't harm boat. Easy installation - replaces typical 3" or 4" wide roller assembly. Intended for use with U-bolt bow eyes. (Not recommended for cast bow eyes.)
Rated 3.6 out of 5 by 47
reviewers.
Rated 1 out of 5 by OARSHANK72 DOESN'T FIT
HAVE A 2008 LUND 1775 WITH A SHORELINE TRAILER. THE TRAILER WINCH STAND BOLT HOLE FOR THE ROLLER DOES NOT MATCH THE HOLE IN THE BOAT BUDDY.
WOULD HAVE TO SAW OFF HALF INCH OF THE STAND TO GET THE HOLE TO MATCH, THEN DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD WORK.
OPTION WOULD BE A WELDING SHOP TO WELD A PLATE AND DRILL A NEW HOLE. NOT GOING TO DO THAT!
VERY DISAPPOINTED. GREAT CONCEPT, BUT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT FOR VERSATILITY!
May 6, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Dannny Boat Buddy
Well it went very easy. I have had the chance to use it yet I have admit I am kind of nervous about it I want it to work really! Check with me a little later. Dan.
April 26, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by K9BOB HIT IT RIGHT
THE FIRST TIME I HIT IT OFFCENTER IT BENT HAD TO THROW OUT
August 1, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by ironhorse22 not bad
the older i get the harder it is to load my boat so i thought this could be the answer & it is no more wet feet or falling off trailer tong skinning shins works great.
July 30, 2012
4 Questions | 25 Answers
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has anyone put the boat buddy on their trailer for a fourwinn 180 horzion boat hookup?
(read all my Q&A)
Answers
A:
The Boat Buddy® is designed to be used on boats with U-bolt eyes with drive-on trailers. If you can drive all the way onto your trailer and stop with the bow eye right below your roller or V-block the boat buddy® can replace your 3"-4" roller or V-block. The boat buddy® comes in two sizes. The original boat buddy® is for boats with 3/8" bow eyes--most boats 21' and under. The boat buddy® II is for boats with 1/2" bow eyes--most larger boats. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Most boats require an extended length bow eye to allow room to add a winch hook for trailering, or some boats may have a cast bow eye instead of the U-bolt bow eye--so we have included an extended length bow eye in each package. Most bow eyes can be easily changed. Not recommended for Boats with bow angles greater than 40 degrees.http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/index....
Thanks
Details:
is there a simple pin release so as to back off the trailer?Answers
A:
BY NOW YOU KNOW. THERE IS NO QUICK RELEASE FOR THE PIN TO BACK THE BOAT OFF. YOU MUST USE THE REGULAR WINCH AT THE LANDING. THE PRESSURE WOULD BIND THE BUDDY PIN AND THAT ENDS THAT! I JUST RETURNED MINE TODAY SINCE THE BOLT HOLES AND CONTOUR OF DESIGN DO NOT FIT MY WINCH SUPPORT.
A:
yesA:
Sort of.. You will have to acquait yourself with the operation, BEFORE putting it on.A:
Very simple pin release and it works perfectly!
Top 1000 Contributor
A:
Get it down the ramp some just to be safe and pull the pin.Details:
I HAVE A 19 FOOT SEA RAY DO I NEED THE LARGER BUDDYAnswers
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Yes.A:
No, I have a 21 foot Ranger Bass Boat and the smaller one fits and works just fine.A:
I was worried about the same thing for my boat. I believe the size of your bow eye is the key to answer your question. If your bow eye is made of 1/2 inch diameter steel, ten get the larger one. If your bow eye is 3/8 inch diameter steel, get the smaller one. If you don't have a "u" shaped bow eye installed already, you can probably go with either one since it comes with the bow eye that you can have someone install or try to install yourself.A:
For durability and peace of mind, Yes. the larger one holds my 23 foot crownline cuddy on roller bunks just fine.A:
yes get the larger oneA:
No as long as you are under 21 ft.A:
I doubt it. I believe the one I bought would be fine. My boat is 18.5 feet and it works fine.
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I have a 19ft Palm Beach and I have the smaller version. I can't get the lock to trip when I drive on. Maybe I need the larger one.Details:
When you finally get the Boat Buddy hooked up do you need to attach the winch strap or does the Boat Buddy hold the boat on the trailer while trailering?
Answers
A:
Yep, you do for safety reasons. You may need a bigger bow eye as I did on my Ranger Z20, but it's fine because the boat buddy comes with one.A:
Personally, I would recommend attaching the winch hook. While the Boat Buddy would keep your boat on the trailer, it's not snug against the roller and would possibly bounce too much while driving home.A:
You don't have to because the boat buddy does lock it in place, BUT once in a while it's tough to get the lock unlocked before you drive the boat down to the water.....so if you have the hook strap available, you can hook it up and winch it just a bit to take the pressure off then it will unlock. I had to swap out my u bolt on the boat with a larger one so the boat buddy and my hook could be used at the same time. Hope this helps.A:
On my boat I hook up the winch strap to take pressure off the bow eye / Boat Buddy pin and my boat does less bouncing when on the road. I suppose you could go without the winch strap, but then the bow eye would probably bounce against the Boat Buddy and it's pin that goes through the bow eye. For a short, slow speed tow on a smooth road, this would not be a problem.A:
it is fine for holding it till you get off the ramp, I would still put the strap and safety chain on. But I have never towed it with pressure just on the pin. I consider the pin for loading purposes not trailering down the road.A:
you must attach the winch line the buddy is not designed to hold the wait of your boat while trailering. it is just for pulling boat out of waterA:
yes you must hookup the winch strap . If you don"t you will damage the boat buddyA:
I don't think it would be necessary, the Boat Buddy would hold it ok. However for safety reasons you should have two sources to hold it in case one fails for some reason. I always hook mine up. You wouldn't want to remove the wench in case you were unable to drive onto the trailer so why not hook it up too for safety.
Top 1000 Contributor
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Several schools of thought. I hook the winch strap up disengage the buddy and secure with another bow strap. Also you can leave the buddy engaged but always hook the winch strap.A:
You need to attach the strap. The pin can be damaged. I used to release the pin by putting pressure on the trailer handle.A:
Don't take a chance. The pin bent, and I lost my boat at the boat ramp. If you value your boat, use the winch strap and a safety chain while trailering.1 of 1
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