Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

[fishjumped]

I have an 1994 Bayliner 2050 on a capri trailer single axle. I have had a problem when I take the boat out of the water, I like to power up onto the trailer.
The problem is that I have dammaged the prop, on 2 separate occasions. it barely touched the ramp but thats all it takes, it only happend when I was trying to get it on the last 4 inches. I know your supposed to partually lift the outdrive up in trailer mode to prevent prop contact but I would like to just be able to raise the trailer just enought like 2 inches to clear the prop instead of adjusting the outdrive. Just in case I forget to place it in an upper position. I do not have a trim Gauge on my Instrument package, so I dont know where I have the outdrive positioned.
The Last time the trim was all the way up but it still made Contact with prop. The Mercruser has a separate trailer position button on the base of the control box and that has to be done before powering up completely to the winch post rubber Vee

What are your feelings that would remidy my Issue>

Invert the Axle, stack up additional Bunks to raise it up, use a lower position for the hitch (Not an Option it is already low now) or continue to use it the way it is and do nothing.

Please help I welcome all inputs good or bad

Scott

 

[Bondo]

Re: Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

What are your feelings that would remidy my Issue>

Ayuh,.... Quit power loading,+ ruining the ramp for everybodyelse.....

That's Why there's a winch at the front of the wagon, to pull the barge up.......

 

[lowkee]

Re: Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

First, make sure your trailer is level when attached to your truck hitch. The hitch height is determined by the trailer being level. As for not making it the last 4 inches, as mentioned, it is better for the ramp and your bow to crank the last foot or so. It only takes a few seconds and it'll prevent everything you are having issues with. Consider the last foot of cranking as a good reminder to attach the safety chain, lock the crank and recheck your trailer connections.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

I agree with Bondo, you aren't doing anyone any favors by doing that. You probably don't realize what that does to the ramp.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

Power loading has ruined two of the ramps at my favorite two lakes. I can still launch and retrieve, but people with larger boats are forever dropping their trailer off the end of the ramp, which stops everything until the trailer gets freed.

There's a big sign at both ramps forbidding power loading, yet half the people who use the ramp do it anyhow. What's up with that.

A 200 hp outboard or I/O can dig a hole at the end of a ramp in just seconds from the propwash.

Since I have a little aluminum boat, I can launch it without even the wheels of the trailer in the water, and retrieve it the same way. It's a lot easier, though, if I can back down the ramp. Too bad some folks have ruined that ramp, I think.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

Fortunately, you're in Arizona, so you won't have me yelling at you for screwing up the ramp for everyone else by powerloading.

 

[EricR]

Re: Capri Trailer ESCORT too low?

It does sound like you need to adjust your trailer, or have someone help you with winch loading.

Every ramp and boating situation is different. We boat in tidal rivers with a constant current, with deep ramps- power loading is a near neccessity. I will make some video one day to support this- and we are not damaging our ramps especially at high tide (we have a 7 to 9 foot tide swing depending on the moon phase) here.

Our ramps are concrete and unless it's and extreme low tide your prop wash isn't affecting anything. A two mph current perpendicular to the trailer, you have to approach the trailer upstream and time your "shot" between your guides just right to get it on. There is no "beach" to land the boat at, a floating dock to load/unload. The shoreline is oyster shells and riprap.

Now on occasion when I boat in fresh water away from the tidal swing, yeah I drift up to the trailer and winch it on.