Cross winds while trailering

[j_martin]

Re: Cross winds while trailering

Whats a wind board?

The side boards on a drive on trailer. They keep the boat straight in a cross wind.

If the trailer is set up right, once the boat is between the wind boards, the sloped bunks match the bottom of the boat and center it perfectly. The trailer just needs to be reasonably level.

hope it helps
John

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Cross winds while trailering

Yep, I don't power on or off and I am in and out in mere minutes.

Makes it a far more relaxed operation in my opinion.

After trying lots of different ways of launching and loading, I have to totally agree with ken. Floating it on and off is much less stress, keeps from damaging things and is faster. Might not look as cool, but I'm in and out before most get a chance to look.
Knowing your boat, trailer and truck is key....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Cross winds while trailering

For anyone reading this who is learning and not already set in his ways:
1. don't put your axle in salt water, unless your boat is way too big not to. Don't buy a fresh-water rigged trailer if you will be frequenting salt water. These posts are descriptions for fresh water ramps or large boats.
2. learn the accepted protocal at the ramp as to power launching/loading. What you think is best is wholly irrelevant; it's what the particular mob at the particular ramp thinks that matters. There is apparently a middle ground of gently driving on/off that is acceptable in some, not all, circles. The deeper you sink the trailer, the less power you need. This salty has learned about a new world from these boards.

 

[jkust]

Re: Cross winds while trailering

At the resort I stayed at this week, I watched a guy on his maiden voyage with his brand new, beautiful 21 foot Four Winns struggle to get it on the bunk trailer. He was a veteran boat owner but they even struggled to power load it on and really strugled to winch it on the last half. I think a roller trailer is the answer. Rollers are sooo easy to load, there is no need to load any other way and they self correct no matter how poorly it gets lined up due to wind. Every time I load with my roller trailer, I am glad I have it although less so now that I have a proper tow vehicle much more capable of backing in farther.

 

[skargo]

Re: Cross winds while trailering

My bunk trailer is easy as pie to load, I know exactly how far to put it in the water. I walk it on the trailer, and maybe 3-4' I have to winch. This is a 4000 lb+ boat loaded.