How to Install
Installation Guide
Before you install
Installation process
Installation resources
Installation FAQ's
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Installation process
Congratulations! You’ve made the awesome decision to install the L & R Boat Latch system. Here’s everything you need to get the process started!
Step 1: Align your trailer rollers / slides
Your boat may need to be aligned to the centreline of the trailer. Your boat will move more easily on the trailer, and requires less force to move it, when it’s properly aligned.
To check your alignment, release the winch. The bow of the boat needs to be in line with the base plate of the latch. If it’s not – then you’ll need to align the trailer rollers/slides.
Rule is:-
- L equals R
- H1 equals H2
Release the winch. The bow of the boat then should be lined up with tow point:
- middle of winch post
- middle of the winch drum
- middle of the roller/v-block
- middle of bow of the boat
If not check with the tape measure and follow the procedure shown here.
Step 2: Move the winch post
You will need to move the winch post on the trailer in order to replace the U-bolt with a snare, either fibreglass or aluminium depending on your boat type. This is generally easy to do by simply loosening the bolts securing the winch post and sliding it out of the way.
Step 3: Install the snare
On U-Bolt boats
Check your bow eye fitting. Your snare needs to be fitted, and you need to choose the right snare for your boat. Typically the snare is used for fibreglass, wood, poly, steel, Jet Ski boats, or where a U-bolt is used in place of an aluminium towing eye.
Fit your snare to your trailer. Snare fitting may require you to ream out the holes by ½” (12.5mm) to increase their size.
Clean and lubricate. Be sure to clean the threads and use a lubricant as stainless steel has a bad habit of seizing up.
Select the right-sized spacer washer. Place the polished washer on the snare and apply silicone to seal the hull when mounted.
Finalise placement. Place the other space on the threads that penetrate inside the boat. Then tighten the nylon locking nuts onto each thread. You may need to cut off excess thread.
Place the other spacer on the threads that penetrate inside the boat.
Note that the short section is ‘UP’. You will be attaching the winch coupling to this ‘top hole’.
Step 4: Mounting the latch on the trailer
Image Key: (A) Lever to set Launch or Retrieve.
Image Key: (B) Without the bolt you could void the warranty.
There’s a wide range of trailer setups, but typically the latch should be bolted underneath the winch platform. It is important that the latch is fully supported – not just hanging out in space. Any impact (for example, as commonly happens with the wharf) can bend the latch base plate.
The front of the latch must be properly held by the latch bolt. Secure the front latch bolt to a sturdy support, such as a winch post or latch support, by drilling a hole for it through the support.
Without this bolt in the proper position you will void any warranties. If necessary, you should trim the bolt end so there is clearance for the shift lever to move freely. Remember to always use spring washers on nuts (and/or nylon locking nuts) so the bolts don’t work loose.
Some winch types will need more than two bolts, and high tensile varieties.
Step 5: Adjust latch position relative to snare
For optimal use, the goal is to ensure that there is a gap of approximately one finger width (thumb width max) between the rollers and the bow.
To achieve this, adjust [a], [b] and [c] so that the gap [f] between the snare and the bar on the latch equals 1 finger width (20mm or ¾”). The latch should move aside to give a finger spacing.
It’s important that the snare on the boat is central. If it’s not, the boat may not be properly aligned on the trailer. See step (1).
Step 6: Adjusting the winch support post & tightening the nuts
The winch support post can be adjusted both in its base position and height. Once you have determined that the winch support post is in the correct position by the finger test, tighten all the nuts and bolts on the system.
Image Key: (a) Adjust height. (b) Adjust base position.
Step 7: Affix the trailer label
A special weatherproof sticker is included with all latch kits. This sticker shows which side the lever needs to be to ‘Launch’ or to ‘Retrieve’ your boat and it should be affixed to your system once installation is completed.
There are three possible locations to affix the label (as shown in the attached image). Always remove salt, dirt and grease prior to fixing the sticker.
Say goodbye to stressful launches. Get your L & R Boat Latch system today!
Look like the pro you are with the L & R boat latch system!
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