Launching boat from trailer

[tractorboy]

I have a new to me 1990 Sunbird 19.5' walkaround fishing boat. Its on a karavan trailer. My BIL keeps mentioned that the this boat is the SMALLEST boat this trailer will carry. ( this is probably my problem!!)

Anyways. Launching it is touch!! I back it all the way in till by tires at the edge of this ramp. Fenders about 1-2" under water. Oh its a roller trailer. AND this damn boat wont roll off! Its like I have to be deeper but I can get any deeper! So the next time I went I tried backing it off. and It just hardly budges!! reving higher than id like in revers with the boat and barely got her off!!

What gives as im especially told roller trailers you dont even need to submerge your fenders all the way..but im as far as I can go and this baby wont slide off without a fight and holding people up!! I pull forward and back up again a little faster with a HARD BRAKE and it moved it off about a foot and that helped to get it off but this just does not seem right?!

Anything thoughts? does not look like I can LOWER the rollers/boat on this trailer so..what can I do?? Is the boat just too small for this trailer maybe and thats the issue??

I can snap pics if anyone wants to see. SHe sitting on the very back of this trailer. I dont get it. OR Could it just be a gradual launch? Only plate Ive launched it so far... Conesus lake south of Rochester NY.

 

[Philster]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Your rollers... are the rolling freely? Got to ask the obvious first...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Might want to make sure the rollers are actually rolling and that the boat is only touching rollers. Most roller trailers would allow you to push the boat off the trailerr on level ground.

 

[mtp9302]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Hi tractorboy, nice to hear from someone in the same area. I've got a 19' Wellcraft 190 on a single axle roller trailer. I haven't launched at Conesus but have in other places around Upstate NY (Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, Honeoye Lake).

My boat practically jumps off the trailer the moment I start to play out the winch line. The previous owner actually went with me the first time I launched to make sure I understood how this particular boat/trailer combo launches because he said it comes off so nice it is scary (I guess he almost dropped it once). I was also told to go in with the water just below the tops of my trailer fenders (fenders just showing), so I'm not going as deep as you are either.

My rollers can all spin well in a free state, so the advice given from Philster and OldJeep is likely the best way to start. Also see if the boat hull could be getting hung up on any trailer member/feature like OldJeep said. Having a boat stick to a roller trailer like that doesn't seem right to me either.

 

[tractorboy]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Sorry, Should have mentioned that. After off and I parked it...rollers roll like skates. BUT I did spray lube on them after I brought it home but all seem to be ok. Everything I read said and warned those roller trailers.....them boats roll right off!!

So yes...the rollers are spinning freely and lubed up as the boat was sitting.

Oh and boat weights about 3200lbs.

mtp9302- Im actually close to honeoye and live right there in honeoye but wife like conesus better. The advise you were given is what I was given...watch out and dont unhook till in the water cuz shes Gonna fly off! will have to take a better look at all rollers when off for the weekend in the water up camping in andirondacks.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

I'll take a guess and say your boat is resting on something other than the rollers.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

It's also possible that your side rollers are too far out so the boat is actually wedging between them rather than rolling on them. Couple pictures might go a long way towards diagnosing it.

 

[broark01]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Is your bow stop adjusted correctly, should be about as far back as it will go while maintaining the appropriate hitch weight?

 

[steve6]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

picture of boat on trailer?

 

[tractorboy]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

OK sure. I will get you guys pics when I get home. In know the boat is on the trailer so the rear the rollers are just about 3" from the transom portion of the hull.

Will get clear pics so you guys can see what Im working with. maybe shes too far up the trailer?

Check back about 5pm. I'll have pics up then as long as my daughter has not run down battery taking face book pics!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Just another thought, check to make sure the bow eye isn't over top of the bow roller. I've seen some that were that way and it will catch on the roller and be tough to get off. Another Rochestarian - there's a bunch on here.

Good luck and be sure to post the results of what you find.

 

[dutchdog]

Re: Launching boat from trailer

Make sure your hitch isn't to low making a launch up hill.