Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

R

RCabrera

Cadet
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
10
I'm farely new to boating. Question for seasoned skippers.I sank the trailer wheels and lights as far back as I could and boat would still not come off trailer. An adult pushed from the bow, another adult pulled boat deck line tied to back cleat,cable unhooked from stem eye, no other tiedowns, stern and propeller were in the water,attempted to reverse with sufficient trottle and boat would not come off trailer! Trailer side rail guides was not the problem. Only thing I can think of is that the rollers may be stuck! I even tried three different launching docks! Help anyone? Persistantly trying.Thanks for any suggestions short of having another boat pull boat off trailer.
 
H

Homerr

Commander
Joined
Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Uhmm Hmmm...<br /><br />I wouldn't think rollers (or bunks) would be an issue if the boat was completely in the water.<br /><br />That doesn't make much sense.<br /><br />Long shot:<br /><br />Have you done any recent fiberglass work to the bottom? Maybe you've glued it to the trailer?<br /><br />I'm curious to find out what's causing it.<br /><br />H.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

RCabara,<br /><br />Other than "gluing or bolting" the boat to the trailer bunks, I'm a bit at a loss-unless. :confused: <br /><br />1. Was the bow stop hooked on the bow eye?<br /><br />2. Did you remove the transom hold down strap(s)?<br /><br />Other than that, it should go.
 
Ross J

Ross J

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
1,119
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Roller centres rusted stiff with boat weight resting would be enough to do it. I've been there.<br />If you have bunks as well then perhaps it's temporary and will come loose. Put some vasaline on the bunks to prevent this recurring. Once a year is enough for mine.
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Rcabrera<br />Make sure the plug is in, the transom straps removed, the wench strap is removed, the saftey chain is removed. Back down deeper and hit your brakes hard. If it is a old roller trailer the roller may all be rusted where they will not turn and also stuck to the boat. If it has been sitting for a long while pretty normal. Make sur boat bow is in the water and hit the brakes for a hard stop.
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Hi, Cabrera.<br /><br />I think the posts above are on the right track. Something that should roll is stuck or something is sticking the boat to the bunks.<br /><br />If your rollers are free and your bunks are not sticking you might have too much weight on the front of the boat. Tongue weight should be 7 to 10% of total weight.<br /><br />I once saw a rig that had a second winch rigged to launch the big, heavy cruiser without submerging the trailer. The extra long rope went under a roller near the bow, all the way to the stern, under another roller and back to the bow eye. The guy only had to crank her back about half way and she was off. The launch rope then stopped her and could bring her back to the trailer. It worked on the steep ramp where I saw it, but I wouldn't want to try it on a shallow ramp.<br /><br />If your bunks turn out to be the problem, there are stick-on slick strips and spray-on teflon stuff that will make them as easy as rollers, according to the ads. Check West, BPS.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 
9

93evinrude

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
154
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Do you have a step at the rear of the hull that is typical,at least on bassboats,or a step somewhere else?If you do,it's would be possible that the rollers near the step could be stopping it from moving back due to making contact with the step and acting as a stop.
 
B

blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Have you climbed under the looking for something that could cause this? Could you use a trailer toungue extension so you could get the trailer even further into the water? Only 3 things could happen, trailer floats with boat, boat sinks with trailer or boat come off trailer.<br /><br />Sorry, can't resist this one. Have you just unhooked the trailer from tow vehicle and tried using boat with trailer attached? Once, a blonde this and it worked OK, but boat didn't plane very well.
 
B

BassMan283

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2002
Messages
277
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Sounds to me like you're putting it in TOO far. If you float the back of the boat, it can cause the keel to hang up on the pads on either side of the front roller. I have a Shorelander roller trailer (1 year old, rollers still spin), 161/2 Lund with a 60 Merc. If I get it in just a little too far, wide open reverse won't pull it off. Steeper the ramp, the worse it is.<br /><br />Try putting it in so that the rear of the boat is just touching the water. Trim the motor pretty much clear down and slowly open the throttle to about half open and wait a few seconds. (If the motor is trimmed up it will tend to lift the back compounding the problem) The boat should start rolling off if you've got it right.<br /><br />For loading, back the trailer in so that the rear rollers are just barely under water.<br /><br />Something I do that makes it easier is while the motor is warming up, I disengage the winch and let out 8-10 inches of strap and then lock the winch again. Then I push the boat out til the strap is tight and then unhook it, climb in and back off. My boat weighs about 1000 lb. Might not be easy if it was much heavier.
 
B

boatingfool

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
610
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

I would suggest maybe trying to jack the back of the boat off the trailer in the yard,just alittle to see if the boat is actually stuck to the trailer.Kind of an interesting problem. :confused:
 
B

blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

I started to suggest same boatingfool but worried with my lack of experience (if boat is really "stuck" tight to bunks) if that could cause gel coat problems? Guess if its a roller trailer, you could certainly test if rollers roll once jacked up.<br /><br />Also, interesting theory on backing in too far. Our GX205 can be a little stubborn backing of sometimes. Maybe we're getting in too far.
 
Ross J

Ross J

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
1,119
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

If jacking the boat off the trailer a little causes the gelcoat to seperate then you've done no more damage than you'd do seperating it anyway. You'll have just discovered the problem. <br />I imagine that would then need serious repair if that were the case and yes I would rather discover that in my back yard than at the ramp!<br />Ross
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,986
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Back it in Deeper....it'll float, with or without the trailer...
 
W

wilde1j

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
5,964
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Has this boat ever come off the trailer during your ownership? If so, when did it happen last? Have you tried dynamite?
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

I hate it when someone opeans a new topic, people put their time into helping but the topic starter never comes back.
 
M

MJC

Cadet
Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
28
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

I'll second that one Boatist - <br /><br />HEY RC : DID YA GET THE BOAT OFF?
 
L

Luna Sea

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 20, 2002
Messages
1,069
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Maybe he can't get himself out of the boat now either! :p
 
R

RCabrera

Cadet
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
10
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Hey fellow mariners, read every single reply with anticipation, that is except the Lunatic Sea Captain's remark. Sorry I had not update. Boat is still on trailer. I'm in the process of taking up advice and jacking up boat to replace carpet from bunks. Current carpet is a shag-like indoor carpet. Living to get back afloat! Again thanks, you to Cat. Luna Sea. I guess humor does tend to ease the problem! Keep you guys posted.
 
B

BassMan283

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2002
Messages
277
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

Bunks? Don't mean to be picky, but didn't you originally say something about rollers? :confused:
 
M

MIKE F

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2001
Messages
313
Re: Ever tried to launch boat off trailer and it would not come off???

I've had a hard time believing, this whole thing wasn't somebody's idea of a joke. :rolleyes: Who ever heard of putting a boat in the water, but it won't float?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top