Boat Loading Problem

Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
7
I have a 2019 Lund ProV 1875 aluminum deep V boat that is almost 19 feet long. This boat has a 200 hp. motor and a bed trailer. I more often than not fish alone. Getting the boat in the water and going to fish is easy. My problem is loading the boat when I am finished fishing. For the first year or so I just motored it on the trailer. I stopped doing this, because for one person, it is hard to tell when you are close enough to put on the safety chain on. Plus, sometimes the bow gets damaged this way. One other reason is that many of the lakes I fish on have 'No Motor Loading of Boats' signs. Therefore, since my boat weighs with the motor, talon, trolling motor and front 35lb. electric anchor and a few other pieces of equipment (i.e. four large batteries) etc., close to 3000lbs. I decided to put on a four thousand rated winch on the trailer, to make loading easier. Well, the winch stressed and strained to the point I thought it was being overworked and might actually malfunction. So, this year I had a 10,000lb. winch upgrade. Believe it or not the same problem occurred! Please also know I am 71 years old and this is my retirement boat and fishing is my favorite past-time. I am not willing to trade down for a smaller boat and trailer. I need to find away to make this loading easy for me to do alone.

I have the following questions I would like your advice on.

Question 1 - What am I doing wrong?
Question 2 - What possibly is causing this problem?
Question 3 - How can I reconfigure the trailer or boat to make it easier for me to load this boat each time I need to do so?
 

04fxdwgi25

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 25, 2022
Messages
543
^^^^ What he said.
Trouble wrapping head around a 19 aluminum weighing over 3k.
What is a "bed trailer"? You mean a "bunk" trailer?

Believe the problems all lie in the trailer and your technique. Get trailer in deeper (but not too deep). You can tell when launching when the boat will float off with a little push. That'll be your sweet spot, give or take. Make a mark / remember that position and put in the same depth to reload boat.

If you have guide on poles, put a wrap of tape on where the water line is for the launch and use that as your baseline.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,769
I pull a 4400# boat onto a trailer with my 3000# winch.

a 10,000# winch on a 2000# boat means you are doing something wrong.

I do not power load (because it wrecks the ramps)
I agree with the others that you are not deep enough. I myself simply back the trailer in so the fenders are 1" above the water, walk the boat up to the winch stand and I only have to crank it forward about 9-12"
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,126
My boat is 5k.
Typically power load, but can pull boat by hand to within 18" or so from the winch. Connect strap, pull to level ground and winch the last foot or so to the bow stop

Right depth and wet bunks is the key. Make sure the entire length of the bunks are wet before loading

Guide poles make it a whole lot easier. You can back much deeper yet still keep the boat centered on the trailer.

I also have target bunks. They center and hold the bow in position for loading
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,175
I load from a dock. If you are beach loading, ignore my comments.

I have an eye bolt on top of my trailer fender. I pull out the winch cable to the right length and then clip it to the fender. Then back in until the last part of the bunk in in the water.

The bunks have ez-slides on them and my PowerWinch is a 3000# model. I added self-centering poly rollers on all crossmembers.

Back in - pull the boat up until it touches the last roller. Clip on the winch. (it holds pretty tight because it was pre-measured)

Press the power button. When the stem hits the bow roller, clip on the bow tie down and the safety cable. Done.

My boat is similar in size to yours, but I'm only 74 years old.
 

flashback

Captain
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,974
All the above, find a steeper ramp. Your probably like me and don't want the back end of your vehicle in the pond so you're not going deep enough.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,913
Get a pair of the side guides for the trailer. Put the trailer in deep enough to float on. Put a loop of line on the winch stand. After you float the boat onto the trailer, use a boat hook to grab the line and cleat it to the bow.

Now get out of the boat and attach the winch strap, winch her home and add the safety chain, and pull her out.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,223
RL created an account then posted question ad has not been back since

Doesn't matter what kind of winch he has "actually" or other if the winch is not above the bow eye. Manufacturer of my trailer mounted the winch below the eye, so guess what happened when I tried to winch it up?

Something else with a QC issue
 

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Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
7
RL created an account then posted question ad has not been back since

Doesn't matter what kind of winch he has "actually" or other if the winch is not above the bow eye. Manufacturer of my trailer mounted the winch below the eye, so guess what happened when I tried to winch it up?

Something else with a QC issue
Thank you!
 
Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
7
RL created an account then posted question ad has not been back since

Doesn't matter what kind of winch he has "actually" or other if the winch is not above the bow eye. Manufacturer of my trailer mounted the winch below the eye, so guess what happened when I tried to winch it up?

Something else with a QC issue
Thank you!
 
Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
7
RL created an account then posted question ad has not been back since

Doesn't matter what kind of winch he has "actually" or other if the winch is not above the bow eye. Manufacturer of my trailer mounted the winch below the eye, so guess what happened when I tried to winch it up?

Something else with a QC issue
 
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