Loading boat on trailer.

[Gpayne]

Today the family and I spent pretty much the entire day on the boat. Tubing, swinning, cruising, we even docked at the state park and hung out on the beach for a couple hours. All in all a great day. When we got back to the ramp to load up, I backed the trailer down the ramp, then instead of trying to drive the boat onto the trailer, I simply took the bow rope and pulled the boat up to the trailer. It worked great for me, I was able to line it up perfectly to the winch roller, and it was much faster and easier than trying to line it up to the winch post under power. I didn't even have to winch it on, just hooked up the strap and pulled it tight to the roller. Does anyone else find it easier to load your boat this way? Or do you guys prefer to pull your boats up to the trailer using the engine? I'm sure there's a size limit to being able to load it this way, but for a little 17' on a bunk trailer, it worked great.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

I winch mine up. It's also 17' and power loading is frowned on here.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

I winch mine up....and power loading is frowned on here.

X2...

 

[marauder11]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Why is it frowned on to power load. Never heard this before.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

It's much faster for me to drive my boat onto the trailer, but I've been doin it for quite a while.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Why is it frowned on to power load. Never heard this before.

Here we go again!:facepalm:

This topic has been beaten to death. Just search the forum for "power loading" and sit back for a couple of hours of reading.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Why is it frowned on to power load. Never heard this before.

It erodes the river/lake bottom at the end of the ramp and leaves a hole just beyond the paved surface. With some combinations of vehicle, trailer, and water level, it's possible for the trailer wheels to drop off the end of the ramp into the hole created by the power loaders. It can be quite difficult to then recover the trailer.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

on some ramps if the water and wind is calm i line up and run in at tick over once 1/4 of the boat is on the boards my wife reverses and the boat moves up as the trailer goes down. today was a cross wind so we used two ropes and no engine to load the boat as it was easier and i didnt want to mess around trying to keep the rear straight to the trailer i pulled the boat forward while a friend kept the rear in line. the gravel ramps are the worse as thats a winch job for half the trailer as the truck isnt 4 wheel drive and its better to suffer at the winch then to have to call for a tow and suffer from the father-in-laws grunts

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

I've found getting the trailer the correct depth is the best--no power needed and no winching--just glide on hook, tighten, and drive but you do have to have good ramps with no drop offs.

 

[emoney]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Everything from my trailer to my lift get's "winched" on. I keep the launch line connected. Not only is it much better for the ramp, but I think it's a lot easier to do. Back the trailer in the water, pull the boat on said trailer, hook up the strap and drive away (well, pretty much anyway)

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Here we go again!:facepalm:

This topic has been beaten to death. Just search the forum for "power loading" and sit back for a couple of hours of reading.

No comment here! I've voiced my opinion enough on this subject also. Agree with the "Search" it.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

No comment here! I've voiced my opinion enough on this subject also. Agree with the "Search" it.

Very underused feature :redface:

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

When we got back to the ramp to load up, I backed the trailer down the ramp, then instead of trying to drive the boat onto the trailer, I simply took the bow rope and pulled the boat up to the trailer.... Does anyone else find it easier to load your boat this way?

Although most people here seem to power load, I load the same as you. My boat is the same size and it just seems to be less trouble for me as I'm not all that slick around a dock with my boat yet. (More of a comedy of errors still.)

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

The reason NOT to Power Load in 0:24 seconds.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

I slowly bump onto the first set of rollers, the guy manning my trailer snaps on the winch strap and pulls it on the rest of the way.
Seems to work fine for me. State doesn't forbid power loading but the MN boaters guide has a couple paragraphs and pictures of how it can impact he launch.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Very underused feature :redface:

VB search is about the weakest link in the scripts though this version does seem to be much improved.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Funny how little faith some have in their WINCH...it has a long strap/cable for a reason.

It's also funny to see grown men dance around the water at the local ramp...as if it's cuastic liquid or something. I know you've seen it...standing on trailer tongues, pick-up beds, bumpers etc...all that just so they don't get their feet wet! Can it be a little dirty? Sure. But c'mon Nancy...a little oil/dirty water isn't gonna kill you.

I have my own "routine" which (depending on ramp grade) may include LITERALLY "getting my feet wet". That's why I wear appropriate footwear...I leave the Bruno Magles in the closet...I mean it IS a watersport. Many times getting my ankles wet is not necessary though. I can pull it most of the way up without the need for powerloading OR an electric winch.

Hope everyone has a good weekend...I'm headed out across the lake to go eat.

Cheers

 

[Gpayne]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

I'm with you Oshkosh. There's a reason I always wear flip-flops when I take the boat out. Yesterday I was able to pull it all the way up to the winch stand, then just hook the winch strap and snug it up. I did get my feet wet, but it was only ankle deep where I was. I certainly didn't mean to start a "power loading" debate. Heck, I thought there was a difference between power loading and driving your boat onto the trailer. Apparently I was wrong. But, I was just curious. I'm one of those "three-tries-at-the-trailer-and-still-end-up-crooked" boaters. I just found it easier to leave the engine off and pull it to the trailer with the bow line.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

many of the lakes in our area have very steep ramps .... it is much easier for me to load our boat on a ramp with a moderate incline where it is much simpler to know exactly where the water line on the trailer fenders needs to be so as to make it easier to load the boat .... I find that the construction of the ramp largely dictates the easiest/quickest way for us to load

Jim

 

[ricohman]

Re: Loading boat on trailer.

Power loading is not allowed at the marina I use so I always float my 22.5ft Islander onto the trailer. I've actually done this alone and it is the best technique I've found.