Longer swing tongue?

[KeyWestBoater]

Hi all,

I have a 2008 KeyWest 1520CC on a Karavan trailer. This is the trailer supplied with the boat by the dealer. I keep it in my garage so it has a swing tongue. When I put it in the water my back wheels usually touch the water with the trailer fenders almost completely submerged before it starts to float. To unhook the winch without getting in the water I have to get in the boat before it's backed in and climb on the trailer after it's backed in to unhook it. I'd rather be able to unhook the winch standing behind the truck. I have 2 questions:

1) Should I see if I can get a longer swing tongue so I don't have to back up so far?
2) Is it normal to have to submerge the trailer fenders before the boat floats?

Thanks!

 

[KM2]

Re: Longer swing tongue?

On my boat it's at the right depth in the water when the top of the fenders are at water level. The rear of the boat is floating but not enough to float away. Some ramps that means I'm getting wet to unhook the winch strap other places I don't. All depends on how step the ramp is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Longer swing tongue?

Exactly! Steepness of the ramp determines when the boat will float. My Shorelander roller trailer had to only be backed in until the tail end of the fenders touched the water on most ramps. On shallow ramps or ramps that were relatively flat you obviously need to back in farther. Some years back at low water on a local lake I had to back in so far I had all four wheels of the truck in the water before the boat would float.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Longer swing tongue?

you are still going to have to get wet, but the car doesn't.

http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/