Trailering the boat options

[frosteeone]

My wife thinks I'm an idiot for standing knee-deep in the water and pulling my little 14' john boat up on the trailer instead of motoring it up like she's seen other people do.<br /><br />I don't trust my skills in this manner and I'd rather not drive up on the back of my truck trying to perfect them (I don't have a steering while, so I'm at the back of the boat).<br /><br />Does anyone see anything wrong, besides wet feet, with simply pulling the boat around from the dock and up on the trailer? I usually perform this act w/o a lot of others around because I get fairly nervous with others waiting/watching.<br /><br />So I only boat between 2:00am and 4:00am .... <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Trailering the boat options

Well, I just plan on getting my feet wet. I'd rather do it under control (lines) than have to repair any minor dings, rubs or scrapes that might occur - and, the boat gets on - or off - right! Maybe I've been doing it forever, but I've never noticed other people watching, maybe it's a confidence thing? ... but... I DO watch if it's a weekend! Tee Hee!

 

[QC]

Re: Trailering the boat options

I do the whole launch retrieve thing from the dock if I am alone. I float it off with a couple of lines. tie it up., Park the truck. When I retrieve I just reverse that. If I really pay attention I don't get wet either way.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Trailering the boat options

Frosteeone,<br /><br />I have not got up the nerve to run my boat up the trailer either. I stand knee deep and crank the winch. I don't care what people think. I know I'm getting my boat on and centered on the bunks properly. Besides, I'm usually wearing thongs (the ones you put on your feet) and a bathing suit. Don't think I ever got in a boat without wearing a bathing suit (charter fishing boats excepted).<br /><br />The ONLY time I saw someone power load their boat was a hot-shot on his bass boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailering the boat options

Well,........<br /><br />I Launch,+ Retrieve a 22' cuddy dressed in full fishing gear, by Myself All the Time......<br /><br />I back in,+ float the boat off......<br />I retrieve by backing in, floating the boat to the trailer,+ winching on........<br /><br />I Usually Don't Get My Feet Wet,............ <br /><br />And,...... I Really Don't Care WHO's Watching.......................... <br /><br />I actually Hate people who Power onto the wagon,.......... <br />It Digs Scour Holes in the launch,.. Right about where My Wheels Go.......................

 

[glasply79]

Re: Trailering the boat options

I have never seen anyone in Maui drive a boat on...of course the water temp is 72-78 degrees year round

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Trailering the boat options

Who cares what anyone else thinks, as long as you're not tying up the ramp. I rope my boat off the trailer and back on the trailer every time, whether I'm by myself or with a group.<br /><br />I wear shorts and these cheap nylon shoes that pull on. I think they're called "beach socks." They have a sole that has a good grip and doesn't slip on the ramp.<br /><br />In colder weather, I have a pair of warm up pants like the track runners use. I just put 'em on in the boat and I'm set for the day.<br /><br />If people think I look funny launching this way, tough. I'm never on the ramp more than a couple of minutes, since I prep for the launch well in the parking lot.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Trailering the boat options

When i donk the trailer to the correct depth I can Idle on the trialer about 1 foot from the post and crank from the bowq then I usually fall into the water getting out of the boat onto the trailer. It seems to work most of the time. I think its time to get some no slip tape for the top of the trailer tongue.

 

[glen f]

Re: Trailering the boat options

I have a 14ft crestliner and after having a buddy yank the line and take out my light I just lean over and grab the side rails of the trailer and pull myself and boat up the trailer with just getting wet hands. Works great but I just bought a trolling motor and am going to try to motor closer that way. That is untill I get my new boat Im shoppping for. After 30 years of shore fishing docks I promise people watching are just making sure you dont tie up the ramp or you may have a beautiful lady present.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailering the boat options

I find it interesting that several here have said they've rarely or never seen anyone drive onto a trailer. Maybe it's a geographic thing. Here in the midwest, I don't think I've ever seen anyone NOT drive their boat onto a trailer (unless they had a dead motor!) But I don't really consider most people's method "powering" up a trailer (though I have watched idiots truly power up their trailer at half throttle on a few occasions...I agree this is a lousy method that causes a ton of erosion and is completely unnecessary and a bit unsafe). <br /><br />Most seem to do what I do...set the trailer deep enough so you can idle/float up on their trailer gently till the bow touches the bow roller...finessing, sort of like you would do pulling into a dock. There's really no risk of hitting anything hard...if you start to miss just put it in reverse and do over. If there's a current or wind, I MIGHT have to keep it in forward gear (at idle only, no major washout) to keep the bow touching the front roller while I then reach over the bow, hook the winch, and snug up the crank from right inside the boat...with dry feet. Now cut the motor and tilt it up. Done. Now I signal my driver to pull me out...or if alone I hop out onto the dock adjacent the ramp (if none, then hop from bow to open tailgate of pickup truck...still dry feet) and drive myself out. I should mention that the only way this is safely possible is with properly installed side guide posts or side bunks. Without them I feel you're at a grave disadvantage and greatly limit your options.<br /><br />Many times my trailer is so deep the back of the boat is still floating and bumping gently between the side bunks until the truck starts to pull out and it settles down nicely. No bunk carpet wear or bunk skid-marks on the underside with this method either. And my winch never gets cranked more than about a foot or two max.<br /><br />But if your only reason for asking is because of what other people think about you standing in the water...I agree with those that said "who cares." Use whatever method you feel is comfortable, safe, and efficient without doing any damage. Have fun!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailering the boat options

Most seem to do what I do...set the trailer deep enough so you can idle/float up on their trailer gently till the bow touches the bow roller...finessing, sort of like you would do pulling into a dock. There's really no risk of hitting anything hard...if you start to miss just put it in reverse and do over. If there's a current or wind, I MIGHT have to keep it in forward gear (at idle only, no major washout) to keep the bow touching the front roller while I then reach over the bow, hook the winch, and snug up the crank from right inside the boat...with dry feet. Now cut the motor and tilt it up. Done. Now I signal my driver to pull me out...or if alone I hop out onto the dock adjacent the ramp (if none, then hop from bow to open tailgate of pickup truck...still dry feet) and drive myself out. I should mention that the only way this is safely possible is with properly installed side guide posts or side bunks. Without them I feel you're at a grave disadvantage and greatly limit your options.<br /><br />Many times my trailer is so deep the back of the boat is still floating and bumping gently between the side bunks until the truck starts to pull out and it settles down nicely. No bunk carpet wear or bunk skid-marks on the underside with this method either. And my winch never gets cranked more than about a foot or two max.

That is Exactly My Methods,..........It would've taken Me Days to type it out, So Clearly........... <br /> I even extended the neape on My trailer to make it Even Easier.........

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailering the boat options

"" Here in the midwest, I don't think I've ever seen anyone NOT drive their boat onto a trailer ""<br /><br />You must live in a different midwest than I do. <br />Rarely see it done, unless I go to a real tourist trap lake, usually infested I mean frequented by yuppy brats from Chicago.<br /><br />For me, tried it a few times but it doesn't work very well with my rig as the trailer does not have bunks to keep the bow straight.<br /><br />I did watch a guy ( in a hurry ) gun the motor and power on the trailer, hit it wrong and smashed the side of the winch, gouge city.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Trailering the boat options

I can't powerload at the ramp I use as it's such a shallow angle.I've got to be 20 yards out before the boat will come off the trailer, and there's no way I'm driving my SUV into the sea to launch/retrieve. Instead I use one of these.<br />

<br />They are cheap to buy (I pay the equivalent of $5 for them from army surplus) and waterproof til you're up to your neck in water.<br />The only drawback is that the soles are quite thin so I've siliconed a piece of old innertube onto them and wear an old pair of outsize shoes over it while loading/unloading. I don't put the hood up though as it looks a bit daft and I'm not a pixie-but I have loaded while up to my waist in water in November in the UK and I'm still warm and dry while doing it.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Trailering the boat options

LOL yeah it does look a bit silly in that pic, but then who cares if you're warm and dry <br /><br />It's actually a British Navy survival suit.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Trailering the boat options

Nos4r2, That is an excellent Halloween costume. Looks just like a road cone.