Loading with the bow eye

[sharps45]

Re: Loading with the bow eye

I've seen the extendable hitches- they look like a good idea, but I rarely launch in shallow like that. It would just be best if Nevada and California would quit stealing our water and let Lake Powell fill all the way up (ha ha).

It sounds to me like everyone winches, so maybe I'm the victim of an old wives tale. Next time I go out, I'm going to try the winching thing, and I'll let you all know how it went.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Loading with the bow eye

I've seen the extendable hitches- they look like a good idea, but I rarely launch in shallow like that. It would just be best if Nevada and California would quit stealing our water and let Lake Powell fill all the way up (ha ha).

It sounds to me like everyone winches, so maybe I'm the victim of an old wives tale. Next time I go out, I'm going to try the winching thing, and I'll let you all know how it went.

I dont think you will be sorry. Float it on as close as you can comfortably and winch from there.
Good Luck and let us all know how you make out.

 

[sharps45]

Re: Loading with the bow eye

Took the boat out saturday, and just for fun, cranked it on with the winch. No problems, but it wasn't a fair test because the boat was floating most of the way, and the water was too cold to wade out farther. Maybe later.
Another question, though. The winch is rated for 1800#s, and the winch strap fro 3500#s. The boat weighs over 6000, so if I tried to just crank it on all the way, would they hold?

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Loading with the bow eye

my boat is 36 years old and I am sure has the original bow eye. I winch on all the time and have for years. Mine is fine. Where I go it is not a good idea to power load. (nor do I think it ever is).

 

[dave11]

Re: Loading with the bow eye

I only sink my trailer just enough to 3/4 of the bunks wet, then I power load just enough to make sure there is friction and the boat is not going to drift off. After that I shut down, raise the leg, get out of the boat and winch it the rest of the way up. The bow eye is usually reinforced and can take the strain.

That's about the way I do it. Depending on how steep the ramp is, I only get my feet in the water about 1/2 the time. If I had to sink the trailer to launch the boat, I just wouldn't launch. I can't even imagine getting so far into the water that I would get water in back of the truck.