Boat won't come off trailer.

[Mark42]

First time in this season and I'm in a hurry to get the boat launched. My sister and her kids are with me and it is about 6:00pm. Tide is out, so the darn ramp is rather dry and the water is shallow. So I back in as far as I can, then figure I'll just shove the boat off the trailer, right?<br /><br />Wrong.<br /><br />After shoving for a minute or two I walk around back of the boat and see I forgot to remove the transom safety straps AND the transome saver motor support. Gee, I felt stupid. I usually remove those and the extra tie down at the house and tow the boat with just one tie down and bow safety chain to the launch about one mile away.<br /><br />So I pull it up a few feet and remove the offending hardware.... The boat goes in no problem.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Boat won't come off trailer.

I did that myself trying to impress new GF. Backed down the ramp perfectly lined up with the dock, jumped out and undid bow strap, had GF hold the rope and when I backed in the water one side of the boat went way up and the other didn't move from the trailer. After a minute I realized I had removed one strap from the stern but not the other.

 

[79Merc140]

Re: Boat won't come off trailer.

I did one better than you rottenray. Long time ago I was launching my parents boat with my grandfather with me. Totally forgot both transom straps. backed the boat in, it started to float. Stepped from the dock to the boat and noticed how stable it was compared to usual, started motor and couldn't figure out why I couldn't back up. Finally dawned on me, walked to the transom and looked over, pulled the boat up, unhooked them and launched again and had a great time.<br /><br />Craig

 

[sprouticus]

Re: Boat won't come off trailer.

Couple of weeks ago I took my boss out on the boat after work. I was trying to impress him with my skills at backing down the trailer and my other boat launching techniques. I back down all but the last 2 feet and then get in the boat. my boss gets in my truck and backs me down the last 2 feet....I lower the motor and start it up....it takes a few minutes to warm up so I unhooked the safety chain from the front of the boat. When motor is warm enough, I ask the boss to back up another foot or so quickly and then slam on the brakes (a technique I saw someone else do recently). He does everything perfectly.....but boat doesn't go anywhere. That is when I realize that not only did I forget to remove the transom straps, but judging by the water pooling around my feet, I forgot to put the plug in as well (I knew I would eventually forget it). SO I laugh a little , turn off and raise the motor, and ask the boss to pull forward.........after telling him how to put the truck in 4 low as the boat is now pretty heavy and the back tires are spinning on the ramp. So after 10 mins of draining, we finally do it all again, this time without the straps and with the plug, and are off. All in all it made for a good day.<br /><br />By the way, I don't live in a busy area, and my ramp is very rarely busy...especially on a weekday afternoon. There was no one around to see me, let alone for me to hold up.