How to recover the boat?

[Biggems]

Ok so I've had my 15' aluminum hull fishing boat for a couple of weeks now and have taken it out twice so far. I got the backing down the ramp and launching down pretty good but I seem to have alota of problems trying to get the stupid thing back out of the water. Let me tell you how I've done it and hopefully you can provide some tips for me.

I back the trailer down into the water about as far as it will go or untill my rear tires are on the edge of the water (I'm towing with a honda civic) The next problem is that my girlfriend can't aim the boat straight up the trailer so I have to get out of the car, get in the boat, and drive it up the trailer then I walk to the front of the boat and latch the seatbelt type thingy to the boat, then I get out of the boat, back in the car, and pull it up the ramp. Problem is the boat is never centered on the trailer and I have to get out and use all my strength to adjust it. quite a pain in the *** and I'm sure there must be a better way to do this. I only have an electric trolling motor (27#) so I can't gun it like some others do that have a gas motor.

Any tips or ideas would be great! Thanks everyone.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Is this a trailer with bunks or does it have rollers?

I find the bunks easier and if this is the case, you want to back your trailer in so the back of the bunks are in the water (about the last third of the boat), latch on with the winch strap on the bow ring of your boat, and winch it onto the trailer. You can't get the boat centered because its floating above its resting place on the bunks and comes out off center.

Try that. I do it and I can retrieve my boat in less than 2-3 minutes.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Boat guides will help. I assume its a bunk trailer ? You need to set the bunks up. Set them as low as possible and parallel with the outboard edge of the starkes.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: How to recover the boat?

I agree, it sounds like the trailer is too deep.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to recover the boat?

#1 you should not have to drive a 15' foot aluminum fishing boat on to the trailer. i can load mine by hand much easier. put a set of PVC guides behind the axle, pull the boat up on the trailer with a bow rope.

 

[Biggems]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Thanks everybody. Yes the trailer has bunks not rollers. I'll try not putting it int he water so far next time. (hopefully tomorrow). However, when I am launching the boat, having the trailer that far in the water is barely enough to get the boat off of the trailer. I've had to let it roll back a foot or so and then gun it forward doing this a couple of times untill the boat pulls off of the trailer.

Also about the bunks, they are turned so the skinny side is facing up and down and the broad side is turned to the sides. Correct me if I am wrong but it seems like it should be the other way around?

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Launch deep.
Retrieve shallow.

Talking about how far you put the trailer in

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Also about the bunks, they are turned so the skinny side is facing up and down and the broad side is turned to the sides. Correct me if I am wrong but it seems like it should be the other way around?

Post some pics. I think I understand but pics would help.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Yeah, what BYH said.

 

[Biggems]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Launch deep - retrieve shallow. got it thanks!

and I'll get some pics if I take her out tomorrow to show you what I am talking about. Unfortunatly I live in an appartment complex that wont allow me to park her here so I have her parked at a friend's house about 40 min. away! Sucks big time.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: How to recover the boat?

Post pics of the boat on the trailer with closeups of the bunks and whats holding the bunks.

Winch it up to retrieve.