Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

[Skagit]

Hi all-

We got our "big" boat (Maxum 2400 SCR, 24' cruiser on an EZ Loader roller tandem) last fall and are just getting into the swing of using it. We keep having problems at the ramp, specifically with loading. We can't get it loaded straight and the pulpit keeps contacting the winch handle or the anchor gets stuck on the roller. I'm pretty sure I'm going too deep (fenders are buried), BUT...

The chine of the hull sits over the fenders. I've tried to go more shallow with the trailer (half way up the fenders) but the angles are such that when I roll it up, the chines actually contact the fenders and the boat stops dead. It also gets stuck on the fenders if I launch too shallow.

So how do I not get stuck on my own friggin' fenders?! Do I go REALLY shallow...like hub of the back axle not even in the water shallow? I'd have to winch it up 2/3 of the trailer...is that normal?

We were on the ramp for 15 minutes tonight...fortunately there was no one waiting. I'm starting to get ramp anxiety! The admiral says no more until we figure this out. Please help!

--Skagit out

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

yep If it is hitting go shallower... You MAY also be able to adjust the roller bunks toward the center of the trailer some and thus raise the boat higher above the trailer

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

also, sometimes on bigger boats it helps to begin to load and then back a few more feet into the water when it becomes hard to winch.....then crank her on the rest of the way.... Only takes a few more seconds but can make winching MUCH easier

 

[burp]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

It sounds like you are a little too deep with the trailer when recovering. How is the launching of the boat? Try to put the trailer in as far as when you launch, if you don't have problems launching......

 

[lncoop]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

also, sometimes on bigger boats it helps to begin to load and then back a few more feet into the water when it becomes hard to winch.....then crank her on the rest of the way.... Only takes a few more seconds but can make winching MUCH easier

Yep. That's how I load my barge. I've found it to be the best way to keep it straight. The admiral backs the trailer in, waits while I drive a third or so of the boat onto the trailer (just enough to get her seated), then sits in the truck and eases 'er back a little at a time on my audible until I find the sweet spot. Then it's just a matter of a little muscle.

 

[Skagit]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Thanks guys.

Loading shallow and doing a multi-stage makes sense. Just so I'm clear...I'll start loading it shallow so it self-aligns, run it up to where it wants to bind on the fenders, back it in just until it floats again, repeat, right?

Hey smoke...nice looking boat.

--Skagit out

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

yah, helps will biger boats to multi-stage like he said i have a 23 foot cuddy. only once did it load crooked not sure why, i just get lucky doesnt matter how far in i am it loads perfect winching or powerloading my boat trailer has bunks.
your best bet with 2 people 1 in truck 1 on boat raise your outdrive up a bit and put the thottle down just so the boat is in gear and your driver backs trailer in further. works well the other way around when you get to the lanch in the morning. i will never go back to rollers again since i've seen the diffnce and owned both types. rollers can be pesty when its time to load the boat.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

also, sometimes on bigger boats it helps to begin to load and then back a few more feet into the water when it becomes hard to winch.....then crank her on the rest of the way.... Only takes a few more seconds but can make winching MUCH easier

Seems to be the best way. I load the 39' Forumla that I borrow ocassionally exactly the same way. Drive it on, climb out, back it in a little more and then winch it on. If I'm by myself I usually get to take a little swim off the transom but that's o.k. as long as it's a nice day.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

You're all over it Skagit. Knock 'em dead.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Im generally not upset if someone takes a little longer to load a large vessel at our local ramps.Its the idiots in small boats and jetskis that take forever I sometimes see that **** me off. Every ramp has a stageing or water/road prep. area,and its not ON the ramp!!!

 

[emoney]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Mommicked is right on it; most everybody knows that the bigger boats take a little longer. Keep in mind how steep your ramp is too, because you'll need to make minor adjustments if/when you use a different ramp. But, that's all part of having a biggen!

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

You are not some idiot on the ramp, the true idiots would keep guessing and tying up the ramp, you decided to ask for help when you were not sure...... it all goes back to the old saying "the only stupid question is one that doesn't get asked"

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

You are not some idiot on the ramp, the true idiots would keep guessing and tying up the ramp, you decided to ask for help when you were not sure...... it all goes back to the old saying "the only stupid question is one that doesn't get asked"

+1.

Good luck.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Try raising the bunks.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

+3 for multi-stage, HINT: Self centering keel rollers are worth the money.

 

[rbh]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

It has happened to all of us at one time or another, your just going to have to find away to launch at ramps with different angles by using the tricks that the guys mentioned here, keel rollers, side bunks, did anyone mention cutting down the winch post alittle?

(It's the little things that sometimes make life easy)

 

[jallen100]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

The first time out this year took me 20 min to get loaded. I went home and watched a bunch of youtube videos on how to load. I usually get the fenders about 3/4 of the way in and just come in at a decent speed. I give it one last bump of the throttle once the rollers stop and hook up. I dont have to winch at all other than to tighten it down. I have a 21.5' cuddy

 

[sam60]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Everything above is great advice.

I'm glad that I found it and I am thankful that I read it. It's been over 30 years since I helped my Dad load a much smaller boat than I will be trying to load in the near future. Thanks for the advice.

I remember one time on a steep, slick ramp, My Mom's '69 Bonneville with a 428 (I think) would not get traction and just spun the tires on the ramp. My Dad got out, got real wet while he strapped down the transom and fired the boat up and gave the car a shove while she pulled.........Yes, lot's of onlookers and people waiting.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

"that idiot at the ramp" was the group of kayakers I ran into last summer. 2 vans parked on the ramp with roof racks, 2 more on the side of the ramp with racks. EIGHT kayaks sitting on the beach. Took them 40 minutes to unload the yaks, get them secured to to the roof racks then spend another 15 minutes probably discussing where they were going to go to get something to eat! All the while completely blocking the ramp. Mind you, the beach/water is only about 15-20' from the parking area. Guess those plastic yaks at 50# were too heavy to carry across the sand.

Just so everyone knows I'm not picking on yakers, up until 2 years ago and a near heart attack, I used to kayak 4-5 times every week from iceout to iced-in!

 

[mommicked]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

I and others ive seen at our local ramps have become less forgiving of guys who launch and then sit in the running boat,blocking the ramp with docks on both sides,while waiting for their driver/passengers to return from the parking lot.We just start backing down the ramp and that usually gets the clueless to move their boats.although I had one guy who sat there staring and hollering at me until I backed within a few feet of his bow before realizing he had three docks to load/unload passengers on the 2 ramps at this launch.On busy days it can turn into a circus quicky w the clueless and the courtious.