Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

[allinmygarage]

Power loading a boat. Until I read through the "Major Mistake at Ramp" post I never realized that power loading a boat can affect the launch site. To be honest I never really thought about it. So I have two questions and hope to get some dialogue going.

#1 - I have a bunk trailer and a 21' Maxum. Are there any problems with just floating it close and hand cranking it. Besides how much extra work it is.

#2 - What are everyone?s thoughts about power loading. The lake I live on has 2 launch sites that are both very nice launches. Didn?t realize I could be hurting them by power loading the boat.

Personally I am always trying to keep other boaters happy so hope I wasn?t making anyone mad doing it. I have always power loaded.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

It's a contentious item. Two of the launches I use have concrete ramps that go WAAAyyyy back into the water. I power load on those with it trimmed up until the bunks stop the boat. I then procede to winch it the rest of the way. Two other launches I go to have a single pad that ends just as my boat starts to float. The problem is that the bass boats are constantly power loading there, and at the end of the pad theres a good foot to 2 foot deep trough in the sand. So..if you are not familiar with the launch you will drop the trailer tires off the edge of the concrete, then you have a big problem, you'll never just pull the trailer out, you litterally have to lift the trailer will someone drives forward...imagine how much trouble that would be if you were solo fishing. The locals that live in the area get very very unfriendly when they see people power loading..very unfriendly.

Just like skiing, choose your power loading sites wisely.

Ian

 

[Splat]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

#1- that's how your supposed to do it. Float the boat to the trailer then winch it up.

#2- yes your hurting the ramps and possiably your motor. When you power load typically what happens due to tthe shallowness of the area is kick up the mud around the ramp. Often this washes out the underburden under the ramp. This can cause the end of the ramp to crack and fall off thus creating a hazard. For trailer tires. Also all that mud your kicking up gets sucked right into your impellar and can shorten its life span.

Bill

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

The other thing to consider is the tow vehicle. I have a 3/4 ton suburban but unfortunately is only has two wheel drive. So if I back off the ramp I am really screwed

 

[Splat]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Looks like Ian types faster than I.

Bill

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading




Ian

 

[MikDee]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I abhor power loading! The ramp I use has concrete that ends under water, then it's a sandy bottom. Last year more then once, I had to jump in the water to get my boat on the roller trailer, and landed in a trough caused by power loading, and hurt my foot! On occasion, while moving my boat from the ramp to the dock, I happened to trip on a trough, lose footing, lose my balance, and fall in.

I usually idle in, then goose it a little (only if need be) to get it on the trailer, it doesn't take much with a roller trailer, But you need someone to catch the boat, and secure it, or your rolling back into the water again, some people I've had with me, can't even do that!

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I hate to see people power loading!!

I always idle in until the boat hits the bunks and then crank it on the last bit. Does provide a little workout depending on the ramp i am at!

Power loading only hurts everyone and helps no one!

 

[mike64]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Here's a nifty little animation showing what powerloading does to a ramp (scroll down a little):
http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS/

 

[daniel2229]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

The lake where we boat has enormously long pads that go maybe 70 feet out from the waters edge. When I was a newby, the marina guy who sold us our boat showed me how to power load by taking a smooth run up the trailer and leaning over the edge to hook the strap to the bow eye. I figured he knew what he was doing.

I tried this the first couple of times we retrieved the boat. I saw most other people doing the same thing. Then I noticed when my boat went onto the bunks, that my tow vehicle was moving up and down a bit. Then I thought of all the strain on the pawls of my transmission as it sat in park with the brakes on. The thought of having to replace the transmission made me rethink the way I loaded my boat. Then I started getting off the boat, had my wife hold the ropes from the courtesy dock, and I hand crank it now every time I load.

This actually takes less time to load as I don't have to walk back down the dock and get back into the boat. No one complains that it is taking more time because I think it may actually save a few minutes.

 

[gss036]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

That is what they make winches for. I have seen a couple of boats overshot the trailer and do damage to them. I would not think of power loading.

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I will crank it up from now on. The lake I am on is similar in the fact that the ramp goes way under water and has never been a problem. Up until now I did the same thing. Powered it on and then hung over the front and connected the winch. But everyone seems to agree that it is just as easy and wont make anyone mad to just crank it up. That?s what I will do from now on. I can also imagine by hand cranking I wont have to lean over the side to ensure the boat is level in the bunks. No matter how many times I do it at least 1 out of 10 will require me to back off and reload. Sounds like cranking it I should ever have to do that.

Thanks

-Matt

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

As others it depends on the ramp and the conditions. I have a 25' Pontoon and if the wind is up or the "JetSkis" forget what a nowake zone is I try to get on the trailer as fast as I can so the rear does not get blown around while I crank. That being said the ramps I use are very long and it doesn't take much power to load either way.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I'd invest in an electric winch far sooner than I would ever powerload a boat.

For the multitude of reasons already stated and also because it's just plain lazy.

 

[SoTexGuero]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Awesome!!! I just read your post and I'm totally laughing ....purely because I know I will have the same situation this weekend!!! At least your wife is helping you unload the boat. My wife has already said I'm on my own, but I know absolutely she, along with my 5 year old daughter(who's is a mirror image of her) will be sitting shoreside, with their new neoprene ski vests on, will not give a second thought on giving me instructions on what I'm doing wrong! I grew up with jetboats and they seemed alot easier to unload and load as compared to my newly acquired Bayliner. Sorry for your mishap bro, but also I'm glad I'm not the only one out there with those unfortunate woes.

 

[David Greer]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

two words: Power winch.
In salt water, we try to keep our axles dry for smaller boats. Rollers make it work but bunks will too. Larger boats, you may have to dunk, but with a power winch you can almost pull them up dry. Of course, every boat/rig is different.
You can even "reverse" a power winch, with pulleys, to pull you boat off the trailer. You have to really know your boat and ramp, though, to avoid the transom hitting on the way down, and the bow will sometimes kick up in the process. Also when launching from a dry axle, the boat comes off right fast and may pull you pier helper overboard.
Allinmygarage, with a boat your size I doubt you could swing a dry axle launch or retrieve from bunks but a power winch will do wonders. Us salties are at times envious of the freshies.

 

[allinmygarage]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Well I should have clarified when I started the spin off post that I am not the same person. I just had the question about power loading.

But "SoTexGuero" we have all been there before so no worries about the confusion.

Greer - I will look into a power winch today. They actually seem reasonably priced. I was surprised. You are right though there is no way I could pull off a dry axle with the launch I use. I sink the trailer until the fenders are just out of the water (bunks about half way in and half out). For now time to work on the arm strength

 

[rs2k]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I never realized power loading was bad, but I don't think it's possible to load my big tri-hull without power loading unless I want to get very wet. That's not a problem in the summer, but when fishing in early spring and late fall getting wet is dangerous. Any ideas?

 

[SoTexGuero]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

It's seems I posted this to the wrong post....anyways, I for one, am not a not Power Loader.....I just don't get it.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

My cousin had troubles launching, & retrieving his 22' Seaswirl, unless I was there to help, Well he decided to get a power winch BIG MISTAKE! the next time he tried to retrieve the boat, he asked me to use the power winch, it was the slowest winch I ever saw! His boat was all over the place with the wind, waves, & wake at the ramp before he got it 1/2 way on the trailer! I finally said to him, go back out and idle in, until I tell you to stop, then with help, I just pulled the boat onto the trailer, tied it off, and waited for the hook on the power winch to catch up to the bow loop!