Easier time putting on the trailer

[flashback]

It's a learning experience, steep ramp, not so deep, shallow then the delivery vehicle may get wet..it takes some practice..

 

[dubs283]

So, post #2?

The last statement, that is

 

[flashback]

So, post #2?

The last statement, that is

Yeah pretty much!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Don't back in too deep, walk the boat on the trailer

 

[dubs283]

walk the boat on the trailer

But, the slipperys?

 

[airshot]

Get the trailer set up so the boat goes on centered and can't get off center !! Can't believe how hard people fight to load a boat. There are numerous devices to make the job quick and easy. I am 73 and load and unload my 16' side console all alone. I have side guides and centering rollers, just idle up on the trailer, boat centers itself, power up just enough to reach the bow stop, reach over and snap the winch strap. Shut off motor, tilt up the motor, step out onto dock, get in vehicle and pull boat up. When there is a will...there is a way...when alone, I am usually loaded up and on my way to the tie down area long before those with helpers get there boat on the trailer !! Did the same thing when I had my 22' islander, had helpers but only to watch !!

 

[ski2rule]

If there is a crosswind I jackknife the trailer into the wind as much as possible. Then keep the trailer shallower than normal, get the boat mostly on the trailer. After tightening the winch strap, I back the trailer a bit deeper and finish winching.

 

[04fxdwgi25]

I can see some newer folks being very leery of "driving onto" the trailer, especially on windy days or in a current.

"Power loading" (using power to push up to bow stop) is a no no at more and more ramps.

Some guides for the sides (and maybe target bunks / rollers) and more practice with trailer not so deep would be the suggestion here.

 

[froggy1150]

 

[silverbul]

Or you can just deal with it. i'm in the same BOAT. ( get it )

 

[airshot]

I can see some newer folks being very leery of "driving onto" the trailer, especially on windy days or in a current.

"Power loading" (using power to push up to bow stop) is a no no at more and more ramps.

Some guides for the sides (and maybe target bunks / rollers) and more practice with trailer not so deep would be the suggestion here.

If I am in a position where power loading can't be done, then I back in deeper...easier to walk the boat into the trailer. With proper set side guides and centering rollers ( lots of them) the boat has no choice but to center itself. When I say deeper, I mean a little deeper....not making the trailer and guides dissapear !! Watch other boaters, especially those that can load with ease, see what they do...then watch those that have difficulty loading...then you can see what not to do !! Observe and learn !!

 

[SkaterRace]

I'd say your in too far with the trailer if you miss the winch post.
yep, learn to power load....
I have a yellow stripe I painted on my trailer where the water touches it which I determined after loading a few times. Definitely helps .
Most people have, and I plan to add, the round pvc pipes used as a loading guide. You could mark them also.
My boat is a 24' pontoon.

I have scraped my skeg a few too many times from that. I saw all the responses here yesterday saying that so I figured when pulling out yesterday to give it another shot. Scrapped it again. The 2 ramps I go to around here are apparently the perfect angle for scrapping the skeg while doing it with this boat/trailer combo. This is the first time I have ever had this issue in over 13 years of boating. Been power loading for probably half that - other half engines kept dying so not exactly any power to use.

 

[briangcc]

Iboats doesn't sell these, I checked...

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When loading, I hand my wife the dock lines and she (and the boys) walk the boat up the trailer for me. They stay completely dry as they're on the dock. I'm in the water and connect the strap to the bow eye and winch it in the last few feet. Totally normal for the ramps I'm on, no other way around it with my boat/trailer combo. Power loading where I am is a no-no.

 

[tpenfield]

I have an opposite problem . . . my Admiral often tires to 'help' too much and gets in harms way.

My advice for your situation, tagging onto the advice already given . . .

- Trailer guides at the rear portion of the trailer, set a bit tight (maybe 1" on each side) to help center the boat.

- Winch hook device, so you can grab and connect the winch strap from the bow of the boat.

- Lower the bunks/rollers as much as you can, for shallow ramps. Not much of an issue for steeper ramps.

- Ladder/walking boards attached to the forward part of the trailer, so you can step down from the bow and get to land.

- Wheel chocks under the rear wheels of the tow vehicle, just for safety, since you are on the boat and not by the tow vehicle.

 

[airshot]

Once again...your trailer needs to be set up for your boat ! If you enjoy getting in the water to load your boat so be it....everyone has there preferences. In my over 60 yrs of boating, I have never had to get wet to load any of my boats. Some prefer to do so, but it is so much nicer to stay dry, especially on the ride home. If your boat doesn't go on straight, fix it so it does !!

 

[briangcc]

Once again...your trailer needs to be set up for your boat ! If you enjoy getting in the water to load your boat so be it....everyone has there preferences. In my over 60 yrs of boating, I have never had to get wet to load any of my boats. Some prefer to do so, but it is so much nicer to stay dry, especially on the ride home. If your boat doesn't go on straight, fix it so it does !!

I get wet because I have to. Bunk trailer, non-adjustable. Fenders are under water but the last 1/4 of the bunk is not. Self centers each and every time. There isn't a way to retrieve my boat staying dry - won't happen, I'll snap the gears in the winch first. Ask me how I know this.

So beware of blanket statements.

 

[silverbul]

I will never, ever again gripe about loading my teeny weeny 14 foot jon boat again. lol

 

[dingbat]

"Power loading" (using power to push up to bow stop) is a no no at more and more ramps.

Must be a local thing.
Can't think of a single facility that takes issue with power loading.
Pretty much the norm around here.

 

[airshot]

I get wet because I have to. Bunk trailer, non-adjustable. Fenders are under water but the last 1/4 of the bunk is not. Self centers each and every time. There isn't a way to retrieve my boat staying dry - won't happen, I'll snap the gears in the winch first. Ask me how I know this.

So beware of blanket statements.

Then you need a bigger/ better winch !! If the bunks are not adjustable, then make them adjustable. If you like getting wet, go for it....but, when I say get your trailer set up, that means do what is necessary to make it work correctly. I have replaced many factory items on trailers to make them work the way I need them to work !!

 

[airshot]

I have scraped my skeg a few too many times from that. I saw all the responses here yesterday saying that so I figured when pulling out yesterday to give it another shot. Scrapped it again. The 2 ramps I go to around here are apparently the perfect angle for scrapping the skeg while doing it with this boat/trailer combo. This is the first time I have ever had this issue in over 13 years of boating. Been power loading for probably half that - other half engines kept dying so not exactly any power to use.

Yes, there are some ramps that are not designed to power load, I try to avoid those because if they are designed that poorly, it would be a pain to load it in any manor. Unfortunately there are folks that don't understand what power loading actually means and they end up screwing up the ramps for others.