Launching/Loading Boat

[fullerton]

I have a shorelander trailer w/ rollers. When either launching or loading my boat (Lund 1600 SS), the engine must be in gear (forward) and throttled up to keep the boat in position so that the trailer's winch strap can be removed/attached to the bow eyelet. When launching the boat when the trailer is in the water, the boat will roll off the trailer w/o the strap/chain being attached, so much so that you have to put the boat in gear, and throttle up to remove the tension in the winch strap and to be able to unhook it. Is this normal, Other roller trailers I have launched w/ require a push, or have to have the motor in reverse to pull the boat off the trailer. I would prefer not to have to be throttled up to remove/attach the winch strap. Is there any adjustments that can be made for this, or is this norm for a roller trailer?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

You don't need the engine running to launch or retrieve. <br /><br />To launch, tie a line to the bow and stern cleats (assuming there's a courtesy dock). Tie the lines to the dock, back the trailer down, disconnect the safety chain and winch strap and let the boat roll into the water. It won't go anywhere, it's tied to the dock.<br /><br />To retrieve, tie the boat to the dock with two lines as above, back the trailer into the water, grab the bow line, untie the stern line, and pull the boat onto the trailer with the bow line as far as it will go. Wrap the bow line around the winch post to hold it, connect the winch strap, and winch it on the rest of the way.<br /><br />I launch and retrieve a 24' cruiser by myself all the time from a roller trailer. My wife watches or maybe holds a line. <br /> <br />Watch how other boaters launch and retrieve, you'll see what works and what doesn't.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

Why not just winch the boat off the trailer if it wants to roll off. There is usually at least 20 feet of winch cable. The person in the boat can unhook the strap and bow line. (You obviously need to hang onto the winch handle to keep from getting your knuckles wrapped as you unwind.) I unload and load my larger boat on a Shorelander roller trailer about 30% of the time by myself and never get my feet wet.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

Lowering the boat off the trailer with the winch works for me.

 

[fullerton]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

rwidman -<br /><br />I'm curious how you can unhook the winch strap when there is the tension from the weight of the boat on it. You have to relief the tension some how to unhook the clasp.<br /><br />Power loading and unloading isn't a problem with someone else. 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off. I am just wondering if there is an easy way for me to POWER load / unload solo with a roller trailer where the boat always wants to slide back into the water (no pushing required). I have seen some guys throttle up (in-gear), and then walk to the front of the boat and unsnap the winch strap & chain..and then the same for loading. Not sure if that is what I want to do.<br /><br />So suggestions for solo launch w/ roller trailer?

 

[gewf631]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

I never back my roller trailer that far into the water, so I need that winch strap/cable to load my boat onto the trailer. I think this is the preferred method, because my rollers self-center the boat.<br /><br />So I'm with the others who leave the winch attached as my boat rolls off the trailer. Then when I'm ready to load, the hook is right where I need-it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

You are making this way too complicated. Since you are alone, back the trailer in just as you normally do. If you don't have a 20 foot bow line get one. Attach the bow line to the bow eye and tie it to the trailer if you don't want to hang onto it (leave slack of course). Now "unwinch the boat". In other words, release the lock but be sure you have a good hold on the crank as it will want to free wheel. Now unwind the winch. When the boat floats, use the bow line to pull it along side the trailer. Unhook the strap, tie off the boat and go park your rig. The loading procedure you've seen where the guy loads his boat, leaves the engine in gear while he snaps on the safety chain is the way I do it. No problem. If you don't mind getting your feet wet, use your bow line to pull the boat so it just noses into the trailer. Hook on the strap and winch it up. Either way works. One way you get wet feet, the other you don't.

 

[KM2]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

I think thats the norm for a roller trailer and that size boat. When I launch in that situation, I just hold the boat forward with one hand and unhook the strap. Of course I have a rope to pull it back to the dock.

 

[bbalcer]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

boat buddy... for your loading problem. it will be a bit difficult to disengage the pin when unloading (i have the same shorelander trailer with a 17.5 smoker).<br />http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0001975011046a&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=cat21384&podId=0001975&catalogCode=IF&parentId=cat21384& parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.1_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276&hasJS=true

 

[BillP]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

Something like upinsmoke sez. I unhook straps and winch while high and dry. Then tie the bow line to the trailer. Back down and hit the brakes enough to spring the boat back and off the trailer. Then I get out of the car and dock the boat while I park the car.<br /><br />Coming in I back the trailer down about half way and walk the boat up onto the trailer...keeping tension with the bow line while I get the strap hooked up. Winch up and pull out. <br /><br />The bow of my boat is too high to make driving on and off easy...its hard for me to climb.

 

[tengals123]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

could be a common case of a super steep ramp???<br />I believe the best way is simply tie a bow rope to your bow and the other end to your tow bar. Unwinch until your bow line takes the weight of the boat. Unhooh your winch strap, carefully untie your bow line at the tow bar, with the right knot just pull the end. Once in water, tie to dock and BOB ur uncle. cheers

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

My son and I both have the same type lund you have. We launch on a steep ramp. I have a bunk trailer so I don't have your problem. But my son has rollers so he launches exactly like tengals described. He uses a slip knot that he can undue under tension. Works for him. When loading, he attaches the same line and pulls it up as far as he can then winches the rest of the way.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

I have seen many people (mostly recently) power the boat onto the trailer without using the winch. This strikes me as extremely dangerous to the lower unit, trailer, hull and anyone nearby. The worst I ever saw was a group of guys trying to pull an inboard speedboat up a steep ramp with an old Chevy Van. Since the van did not have enough power, they reved up the boat's engine and floored the van's gas pedal. They made it, but I really expected an accident with serious injuries.<br /><br />This past year I assisted my neighbor in putting his 17CC onto its trailer. The current was strong and would not allow the boat to stay straight when winching. Since it was December in the Northeast, the water was cold and I was reluctant to wade in to hold the boat straight. I was able to use the outboard motor's thrust to hold the boat straight while he winched it in. I was extremely careful, and it took and experienced and steady hand on the throttle and wheel to make it work. I killed the motor as soon as I could, and still thought it dangerous.<br />Anyone else feel that way about "power trailering"?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

I have had to load in a strong side wind in the past. As you say, very difficult to keep the boat lined up with the trailer while winching. What I have done is put the boat motor in reverse at low throttle setting. I was able to control stern while someone else winched it far enough to be out of the wind's control while keeping motor deep enough to pump water.

 

[bassman283m]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

I always power load and unload so what fullerton describes sounds right to me. I have almost the same rig, 1650 Lund on Shorelander roller trailer. The salesman took me out and showed me how.<br /><br />Off: Back in so transom is just touching the water. Lower motor, start and put in gear, idle is normally enough. Go up front and unhook safety chain and winch strap. Get back in boat, put in reverse and back off. Do just the opposite to load. done this hundreds of times without incident.

 

[notinbig]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

I have a 1991 shorelander roller trailer and an 18 foot larson 1988 with a v6. I have no problem just buring the wheel wells and backing off and pulling on I have no need for help. Please have enough control you can throttle up and down without running anyone over?!?! I have never caused any damage to boat, truck, trailer, or sourrounding people or places. use cation and don't drink (too) much. <br /><br />I have never been in the water to launch or retrieve(untill I forgot the plug, DUH!)<br />you look cooler if the lady just sits in the truck or boat also

 

[baileys]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

we have just started out and have had the same probs with the boat being pushed side ways with the tide but we all work as team always 1 caller the rest follow instructions we manage with 18oocc renault laguna sport but when we first got the boat we had 1600cc ford escort diesel the boat was higher than the car , couldnt see a thing reversing so we un hitched and rolled down the slope outof control and stuck in the ending of the slipp way we will never do that again especialy when we fixed the spare 6hp on and it broke the shaft what abad day and the place was called hope cove a lovley little village in south devon we managed to get her out on tow rope with the help of big pebbles as wedges so the morale of the story is get experience and always have help on hand {saftey first}

 

[jtexas]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

Originally posted by fullerton:<br /> rwidman -<br /><br />I'm curious how you can unhook the winch strap when there is the tension from the weight of the boat on it. You have to relief the tension some how to unhook the clasp.<br />

Can't you hold the tension off the anti-reverse lever thingy by turning the crank handle just enough to move it half a notch?<br /><br />Not sure I described that very well, did it make sense? <br /><br />It should be winched up so tight you should have to do that anyway, otherwise you got slack, and the boat is moving on the trailer as you go down the road.<br /><br />p.s. everybody around here power loads onto their bunk trailers, roller trailers I think usually winch it most of the way. Thousands of power-loadings every weekend with never an incident, I consider it safe.

 

[fullerton]

Re: Launching/Loading Boat

Ice just went out!<br /><br />I'm just gonna power load like I normally do, and then just keep the motor in gear so i can snap and unsnap the winch strap when by myself. There were a couple good ideas for unloading using a slip knot which I may try.<br /><br />Good Feedback.