Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

[redfishsc]

I have an old Starcraft 14' aluminum with an even older painted steel trailer. About half of our fishing is fresh, the rest is salt or brackish.

I have not yet launched this in saltwater, we were using my canoe. However now that I have something that I don't have to paddle, this boat is going in the salt. Obviously I do NOT want to be dunking this thing up to the axle.

Buying a new trailer is not an option right now and if I did, I'd buy another boat to go with it.


I am going to be making some mods soon (PVC standpipes for the tail lights, a couple of guides for loading the boat onto the trailer. While I am at it, I might as well add anything that would help me launch without dunking.


Right now I assume that adding longer bunks will help, but the semi-V on the front of the boat will hit the rear roller long before the bottom of the boat is on the bunks. Should I make some sort of guide from some 2X6's (a V shape, maybe 6 feet long?) that I'd keep in the back of my truck until it's time to launch/return, for the V on the bow to ride up as I crank the winch to load the boat?


Any advice is appreciated. Other than "get a new trailer".


This is the boat/trailer combo. Please note that I have moved the front winch further up so that the transom DOES NOT sit so far back. However, the bunks are still rather short, I'm going to replace them with longer bunks.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

Your axle won't immediately dissolve in salt water. Make sure it's well painted and rinse with fresh water after use. When rust occurs, hit it with POR-15.

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

I'm not sure I feel comfortable with this. In the late Spring/summer, this thing will be used 3-6 times a month. I do have a couple freshwater ramps I can dunk it in but they are 8-10 miles out of the way, otherwise I'm going to have to take it to a carwash with the pressure wand (which admittedly will do a decent job).

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

you don't have a garden hose at home?

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

you don't have a garden hose at home?

Yes, I do. I just prefer the pressure washer, for obvious reasons. I suppose I could buy a cheap electric one. I still fear the inevitable salt trapped in the old leaf springs.



Does anyone have any suggestions for launching and reloading without dunking the axle? This is such a light boat I'm sure it can be done with minimal hassle, I just need a little advice to get me going.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

sure... stop short of dunking the trailer and shove, or drag it off... then winch it back on...... you're WAY overthinking it... when I was a kid I had a 12' tinny and I didn't even have a trailer... I'd yank it out of the back of the truck and drag it down the grass bank to the water.... if the bank was too steep to drag it back up I'd use a rope and pull it up w the truck. Then back up and load it..... It should float in just a few inches of water so stop when the transom is almost touching the water.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

From about 45 years of experience of not dunking a trailer:

back down the ramp; stop when the water is 2" below the axle.

push the boat off the trailer, or have your helper on the dock pull it (but don't get twisted sideways)

to retrieve: run your winch cable out to the rear of the trailer, back down the ramp; stop when the water is 2" below the axle.

Winch the boat onto the trailer. If rigged correctly, the bow will ride up on the rear roller, then track along the keel rollers.

It's possible your trailer was rigged as a dunk/bunk trailer, so you may have to return it to its original operable condition. It's better to have good rollers and short bunks just for stability in the rear.

hint: get as close to the dock as you can. the wincher uses the bow line to line up and keep tension. Tension is important.
The helper on the dock has a stern line and a boathook/shove pole/paddle to straighten the boat as it comes up.
A good roller set-up is self-alligning--which works if you don't dunk the trailer.

the very rear end of the trailer and lights will probably get wet. Hose them off.

PS a pressure washer pushes sand and salt into fittings.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

I think I have CARRIED boats that small to and from the lake.

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

I think I have CARRIED boats that small to and from the lake.

I have as well (16 footer) but I have never (and willing to be you have never, either) carried any of these boats with a 6 to 15hp outboard, a trolling motor/battery, cooler, etc.


I appreciate the help all. The main concern I had was getting the boat up onto the trailer. Wasn't sure what kind of stress that would put on the winch or the keel. I tend to load fairly heavy. I suppose I could remove as much weight as possible if I'm packed heavily.

 

[waterbill]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

Nice Starcraft, BTW. I launch/retrieve a 17' FG center console with a 90 Yammie from an EZ Loader trailer (All Roller Bunks) with no tilt frame. I started keeping my axles about 2" above the water several years ago after experimenting and finding out it can be done without a problem. I still believe in inspecting/repacking the bearings annually, but I must admit there is a lot less worry about salt water intrusion due to a seal failure. Your rig is very light. Go for it. Ther biggest problem I've had at ramps is at high tide, when the boat isn't angled down enough to allow it to easily slide from the trailer. A time or two, I had to get help pushing it off the trailer, and once I had to rig a block and tackle to pull it from the trailer by the stern line from a dockpost behind the boat. Your Starcraft can't be that heavy.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

Nice Starcraft, BTW. I launch/retrieve a 17' FG center console with a 90 Yammie from an EZ Loader trailer (All Roller Bunks) with no tilt frame. I started keeping my axles about 2" above the water several years ago after experimenting and finding out it can be done without a problem. I still believe in inspecting/repacking the bearings annually, but I must admit there is a lot less worry about salt water intrusion due to a seal failure. Your rig is very light. Go for it. Ther biggest problem I've had at ramps is at high tide, when the boat isn't angled down enough to allow it to easily slide from the trailer. A time or two, I had to get help pushing it off the trailer, and once I had to rig a block and tackle to pull it from the trailer by the stern line from a dockpost behind the boat. Your Starcraft can't be that heavy.

I suspect that YOU need new plastic bushings inside your rollers..... You should be able to push that boat off on flat ground

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

I always launch and retrieve my boats empty, but before everyone starts yelling, that's at private or uncrowded ramps where no one is waiting for me. If you keep it loaded, don't have the heavy stuff like a loaded cooler in the stern

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: Help/advice launching without dunking the axles on old steel trailer.

A boat that small and light should be no issue. put long ropes on it and pull it from the dock.

No dock ? Put rope(s) on it, take a pole of some sort and shove it off.

Agree with the others, don't over worry.....be happy!