trailering antics

[scotty c]

While waiting for a fellow to load his boat <br />yesterday, i had to chuckle at this guy's method.He backed his old steel roller trailer into the water so deep, that the rear wheels of the truck were almost in the water.<br />He then proceeded to fight with his boat to get<br />it lined up on the trailer.<br />5 minutes later, he was up to his waist in the <br />ocean still fighting it.<br /><br />i only submerge the trailer wheels,so that <br />when you pull the boat on, it can align itself<br />on the rollers properly.<br /><br />Otherwise it just keeps floating off.<br /><br />how do the rest of you load your boat?

 

[reddog349]

Re: trailering antics

Scotty ,<br />1 way to think of it is perhaps this is the guys 1st boat. I remember doing the same thing for a month until a friend pointed it out and found it to be useful advice.

 

[rwidman]

Re: trailering antics

Each boat, trailer, and ramp can be different and require different techniques. With my boat and trailer, backing to the water's edge works well and minimizes the distance the boat must be winched. The boat loads correctly every time. It's a pretty big boat for a trailered boat.

 

[jtexas]

Re: trailering antics

I back in until the water reaches a certain point on the trailer, then power it on, no problems - depending on the slope of the ramp sometimes my truck wheels get wet.<br /><br />But before I figured that out, and got my bunks & rollers all adjusted just right, there were days when I could have provided you with some fine entertainment.

 

[bdirect]

Re: trailering antics

I do like jtexas with my 24ft but i have to admit my 15ft tri-hull has given people some laughs on occasion. find the type and slope of ramp makes a big difference with that boat

 

[watered down]

Re: trailering antics

My current boat aligns itself perfectly every time...I guess because the trailer is custom made for the boat. I back it in until wheels are under water and drive on. <br /><br />However, my old 17' Glastron would sit where ever it pleased. REally had to have the trailer in at the correct depth or retrieving became an exercise in self control... <br /><br />I would guess that each is different based on type of trialer...bunk or roller...and whether the trailer is formed and fitted for that boat.

 

[brine]

Re: trailering antics

There is a fine line with my Regal. Too deep and it floats all over. Too shallow and you are winching like a maniac. I am too much of a chicken S--- to try powering on to the trailer. I can picture my boat on top of my truck!!!

 

[Pony]

Re: trailering antics

I dont belong in this thread......with my 14ft alumacraft I can generally pull the boat up to the winch stop without ever using the winch. I back in until my wheels are under, then I grab my docking line which is tied to the front of the bow, walk over to the winchin post and manually pull the boat all the way up. The tri-hull I used to have was a different story.....

 

[jtexas]

Re: trailering antics

Originally posted by brine:<br /> There is a fine line with my Regal. Too deep and it floats all over. Too shallow and you are winching like a maniac. I am too much of a chicken S--- to try powering on to the trailer. I can picture my boat on top of my truck!!!

I understand your reluctance but think about it...<br />even if your bow does go up over the bowstop the trailer crossbar will catch the lower unit. <br />And if it doesn't, surely the prop would be shredded. <br />And if it wasn't, as soon as it cleared the water you'd lose all forward momentum. <br />So unless you backed up & got a running start.... <br />Even then, you'd be famous, your picture all over the internet...you'd be remembered for years... <br />

 

[brine]

Re: trailering antics

well maybe next spring we will give it a go.. we will be sure to have lots of room to get a run at it.. get up on a good plane,(to get extra trailer clearence).. have a video camera handy.. have a lawyer handy to handle my divorce after I destroy "our" boat.. <br /><br />course that part could be easy...It would be easy to give her half of the boat...she could have the starboard half.

 

[lugster84]

Re: trailering antics

I may need a lawyer the way my wife and I load. I think I had the trailer (rollers, also a 19' heavy Regal) too deep all year. There was one instant in a wind she had to go back out 7 or 8 times to get it straight. Makes for a pleasant drive home in the car. Next year I am going to try the trailer shallower and if that doesn't work, I am ordering trailer guides. Powering on was never a problem for either of us, especially with the heavy boat. Winching on, now that was a problem.

 

[Capt Joe]

Re: trailering antics

We have a problem here where we inevitably launch & retrieve across the fast flowing current of a river. My solution was to put nylon runners right across the back cross member, at the correct transom angle. I now have a 1.5 metre "target area" for the bow. As soon as the bow touches it drops to the bottom of the "V". The next nylon "V" straightens it up, & the wobble rollers against the lower bow ensure it hits the winch post square. At the most we winch about 1 metre, mainly because of very shallow angled ramps.<br />"She who must be obeyed" has had numerous compliments about her power retrieve.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: trailering antics

My boat is fairly light (18" Starcraft) so I keep the trailer a little higher and have guide rollers at the keel she come on pretty easy. <br /> <br /> I understand the problems with tri hulls I used to wonder why my cousin had so much trouble with his old Glastron till I tried it myself still haven't figured out how to line it up.

 

[jtexas]

Re: trailering antics

try these:<br /><br />

self-centering keel roller<br /><br />they work great for my trihull. bass pro and academy both have 'em.