Ron Everson
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2003
- Messages
- 114
My 1st attempt at driving the new (to me) boat onto the trailer at Halls Crossing yesterday afternoon was pure entertainment. After it was all over, I wondered how everyone else enjoyed it. Had the trailer in too deep. Managed to get that big thing headed onto the trailer and reversed before it ran into the bow stop, but then it started to twist from the reverse torque and incoming rollers. By the time I dropped off the anchor pulpit onto the trailer, it was turned almost 90 degrees to the trailer. Good thing the water was tolerable, since my wife and I were both chest deep, trying to turn that 5200+ lb boat to line it up on the trailer (boat motor still idling). With lots of grunting and straining we managed to get in lined up again and the front end hooked. Probably took 15 minutes, at least. Wife had to drive the pickup for the 1st time, while I maneuvered the boat in the water as she pulled it out. Hold up while I shut off the motor and raise the outdrive. Oops, off a little, so back in for an adjustment. Ended up perfectly lined up on the trailer, but what a job! All of those other people loading boats and houseboats around us just looked and nobody said anything, but I'll bet they were shaking their heads. Good thing it's the off-season and the ramp is not busy. We normally walk the boat onto the trailer from the dock at McPhee. Couldn't do that at Powell because of the house boats blocking the way. Didn't really want to try power loading yet, but didn't have much of a choice. She informed me that my next job will be to rework the stern guide posts and put them back on the trailer. I had removed them shortly after getting the boat before they fell off. Such a practical Woman!
