SNAPPER® FAQs

Q. Will the SNAPPER fit my boat?
A. The SNAPPER should work with a boat which has a trailer with an adjustable winch stand that will permit the boat's bow eye to align on a horizontal plain with SNAPPER jaws. The winch stand should be adjustable in both horizontal and vertical positioning. If unable to adjust the winch stand, it may possible to reposition the trailer bunks / rollers to allow the boat's bow eye to align with the jaws of the SNAPPER.

Q. Why must the extended 1/2" diameter bow eye be used with the SNAPPER?
A. The bow eye must be extended to allow the winch hook to be attached to the bow eye when the bow eye is being held by the SNAPPER. The winch hook must be attached to the bow eye whenever the boat / trailer is being towed.

Q. Can a boat's existing 3/8" or 1/2" diameter bow eye be replaced with the 1/2" diameter  extended bow eyes?
A. There is a replacement extended bow eye designed to replace the 3/8" or 1/2" diameter existing bow eye. It is necessary to enlarge the mounting holes in the hull when 3/8" diameter bow eyes are being replaced. All extended bow eyes are 1/2" in diameter.

Q. What SNAPPER model should be ordered for a boat that has a 3/8" diameter bow eye?
A. SNAPPER P/N 16-SNAPPER-1 is for an existing 3/8" bow eye and P/N 16-SNAPPER-2 is for an existing 1/2" bow eye.

Q. How is the existing bow eye removed?
A. Remove the hex nuts from the inside of the boat before attempting to remove the bow eye. In most cases, there is access to these retaining nuts. Once the interior nuts have been removed, simply screw the outer top nuts in a clockwise direction down the bow eye to pull the eye from the hull. Loosen the nuts alternately in small incremental adjustments to keep the bow eye from binding during removal.

Q. What is the SNAPPER power source?
A. The SNAPPER requires a 12V DC power source which can be supplied from the tow vehicle. Vehicles equipped with Factory Towing packages will have a 7 way connection at the rear of the vehicle. A constant 12V DC auxiliary power source is available at the connection. Vehicles without the towing package will require a 10 amp, 12V DC power line run to the vehicle fuse panel.

Q. What if the remote control FOB is lost?
A. Contact EPCO for replacement instructions.

Q. Is it possible to operate the SNAPPER without the FOB?
A. Yes. The SNAPPER jaws can be manually set to catch or release the boat's bow eye in the event the remote control fob is lost (or power loss). Pull back (away from the bow of the boat) on the slider bar on the underside of the SNAPPER. It will be possible to feel and hear a ‘click’ when the SNAPPER jaw mechanism has been ‘set’. The SNAPPER is now ready to catch or release the boat from the SNAPPER.

TIPS:

1. Once the SNAPPER has been successfully operated in the water, a visual water line reference mark made on the on the trailer can assist the boater in repeating the optimum SNAPPER / bow eye alignment for catch and release operations.
2. A visual reference mark on the bow of the boat can assist the boat driver by providing a line of sight alignment between the boat bow and LED Light pole to assist in catching the bow eye in the SNAPPER jaws.