Hard to load boat onto tailer, asking for suggestions.

[hcrumbie]

Howdy all....been using my "new" '70 model 15' Deckette for a week or so now, and having quite the time getting it back on the trailer. The boat's hull is not a tri, but not a "v" either. It's more of a V that becomes nearly horizontal at the edges. The boat is very "U" shaped, with a very blunt bow.<br /> The trailer has 2 roller bunks, about 3' each at the rear, 3 keel rollers and a bow stop. It's nearly impossible to winch it straight up on the trailer as any wind or wave will push it to one side until the 3rd roller makes contact. Would side boards like many bass boats help with this setup? Perhaps additional bunks to help guide the keel? I appreciate any suggestions....RR

 

[Lark40]

Re: Hard to load boat onto tailer, asking for suggestions.

If you are having trouble keeping the boat straight while loading it, that is what the side guards are made for. Get the biggest ones that are practical for your size trailer. They are especially helpful if you are trying to pull the boat on by yourself.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Hard to load boat onto tailer, asking for suggestions.

Yes sir those tall guide ons make a world of difference. I have the 2 foot tall ones with rollers they work great.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Hard to load boat onto tailer, asking for suggestions.

on my old river boat, which i always had to load/unload in current, i built the side posts out of exhaust tubing with pvc sections that would roll around on them. i bolted the light fixtures on top, which kept the pvc from coming off. great trailer, the side posts make all the diff in the world IMHO<br /><br />i painted mine, but i imagine galvanized conduit would do even better.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Hard to load boat onto tailer, asking for suggestions.

Rivrrat<br />Problem you are having very common and usually caused by backing trailer in water too deep. That make it crank up to the bow stop easier but the back of boat is still floating around. Try this before buying side guides. When you launch your boat watch back and note when back start to float. Note how deep trailer is in the water. When time to retrive make sure do not back in so deep. The boat should center Ok if it hits the bunks but if floating then nothing to center. If it is too hard to crank this way then try lowering your ball with a different reciever. This will lower the front of trailer but also raise the back so bunks will center boat. Remember they can not center boat if boat is floating. Bunks or roller must hit boat when still have about 6 feet to crank or you will have to center by hand which is very very hard.

 

[B_Eager]

Re: Hard to load boat onto tailer, asking for suggestions.

I agree with boatist, but if you find it difficult to get it alinged, don't worry about it as long as the nose is alinged, then do what I always do it I don't like how it sits. Back up a couple feet and pull (pull it don't crawl)the boat out, the boat will straighten itself as the trailer comes out.