Mounting a boat on trailer from water

[85 johnson]

Just got my first boat, having trouble mounting the boat from the water. I've had it out 3 times and every time was horrible getting the boat on the trailer. Whats the proper way to get it on the trailer, without tearing my wench up, trying to pull the boat up with it, or crashing into the wench because I got the trailer down in the water to far. Any and all sugestions would be appreciated

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

You're going to get a lot of responses to this one! And you may want to add some more details re: what kind of boat, type of trailer (roller or bunks) and what type of ramp.

I'm learning every time we go out (if you want some good chuckles just look at some of my recent posts), so take my advice with a grain of salt and listen closely to the veterans. Here are my tips:

- back the trailer in as reasonably close to the dock as you can, to allow the person on the dock to easily assist you in pulling the boat onto the trailer

- back the trailer in until the top of the trailer fenders are just barely submerged (this will vary by ramp/lake)

- I have my wife and/or son pull the boat around (usually it's on the "courtesy"/unused side of the dock) to the trailer and gently guide it towards the boat

- they throw me the bow line and I pull it towards our bunk trailer until I can't easily pull it anymore (the friction from the bunks stops it)

- I've already released the winch strap and walk the hook out towards the bow hook, hook it up and start winching it in

The best advice I can give someone is to practice at a slow time, or at a slow ramp. Practice makes perfect and helps reduce some of the self-induced stress you'll feel at a busier public ramp.

Again, I'm sure many other tips will follow!

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

You should be able to float your boat onto your trailer so that the bow starts to hit the forward rollers as far forward as possible. If you can float the boat completely onto your trailer, the trailer is submerged way too much and no matter what you try, when you drive forward the boat will rest where ever it wants because its floating over the rollers, if your trailer has rollers. You're hitting the winch with the bow. To me it sounds like your rear vehicle tires are submerged. No good. You should be able to pull out about 4' of winch cable/strap to make it to the bow ring and that is about all if you ask me. Without seeing your trailer and boat set up its hard to say really.

When I winch my boat on the trailer, the boat isn't floating in the rear enough to keep it off the rear set of rollers. There is enough weight on the forward half of the trailer to keep the boat centered where I want it.

 

[85 johnson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

Hey, this is really good advise, keep it comming, I'm a great listener and could use all the advise I can get. then put 2 and 2 together. I have a 79 rally cruiser on a bass boat trailer with the bunkers, a small 17'er, I'll post some pic tomorrow

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

I like to wet the aft roller about 2 inches under
Drive up to the trailer making about 2 knots.

Let the boat come to rest on the bow keel.

Then, for one second, punch the gas then chop the throttle back down.

The engine is designed to move the boat, the trailer is designed to carry the boat.

Gas it

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

Then, for one second, punch the gas then chop the throttle back down.

The engine is designed to move the boat, the trailer is designed to carry the boat.

Gas it

Get ready for loads of comments about "power loading" (i.e. gassing it). I'm still a rookie and there's no way I'd power load it. Just do a search on the forums for oodles of reasons why. Until you classify yourself as a boating veteran I would recommend winching it in.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

The engine is designed to move the boat, the trailer is designed to carry the boat.

Gas it

the engine is designed to move a boat, NOT load it. the winch is for loading. Your style of loading is illegal in many places, and unwelcome pretty much everywhere.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

the engine is designed to move a boat, NOT load it. the winch is for loading. Your style of loading is illegal in many places, and unwelcome pretty much everywhere.

Huh...illegal ? where did you get that tidbit of incorrect info? on a bunk style trailer , with the wheel fender just barley submerged,there's no other way to get a big boat on a trailer without powering it on,unless you think you can winch up 6K, for smaller boats the angle of the ramp and the type of support - bunk/roller its far easier to load the boat w/power to within 3 ft of the winch, then snug it up. this way its tight, otherwise your having to land winch 3 feet after you clear the ramp.experience and paying attention to the trailer's depth when loading is key.

 

[85 johnson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

Hey guys, found the problem. the bunker sits to low in front, the v bottom is coming up off the front of the bunker. that why my dag, gone wench is comming apart on my. I have wench the front of the boat up in the air and sit it on my winch, then with all that room, the boat bounces around when I haul it and hit a bump. I'll take some pic and let you see the problem. I don't know if it ajustable, so I may have to modifie, that another question in itsself.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

you need to post in the trailer forum, this is a trailer problem.
http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=19

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

As for power loading just hang out at a busy ramp and see what is the norm for your part of the world.
Around here power loading is the norm. Where your at you might meet a lynch mob for power loading.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

Power loading creates a hole...not fun to drop your trailer off into one. That's why it's illegal in some areas.

 

[RickV1955]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

I'm a "newbie" with the new boat I bought in March (new at ocean boating)....the guy I bought the boat from (and obviously a veteran boater) just powered the boat onto the trailer at the ramp.....slick as $#$$.....was amazing to watch.....took about "two seconds" for him to zip it onto the trailer, secure it.....and haul it out of the water.
I'm sure it will take me a while, and some practice at "slow" times, for me to get some confidence at this......
Makes it nice for the other boaters if you can get in and out quickly......
I certainly don't need any embarassing moments.....(although I'm sure I'll have my share of them....lol)

 

[85 johnson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

Well the pic. size exceeds the file size, the boat sits just a little off the bunker, I'm thinking I can shim it. It sit up about 2 inches in front and starts to come off about mid way. the bunker material is wood. It has 3 supports on each side, I'm thinking I can cut the bunker just a little past the second support, where the boat starts coming off and jack the front support up a little to mach it under the boat. Will this work????

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

the engine is designed to move a boat, NOT load it. the winch is for loading. Your style of loading is illegal in many places, and unwelcome pretty much everywhere.

I am not talking roost the basin, look at me I have open exhaust and no mufflers. That's joey bag of donuts.

I am talking a gentle and controlled use of the engine on a properly positioned trailer by a qualified, experienced helmsman.

I am talking about boating as a life leaning experience where the boating scholar learns from each outing and strive for his or her personal best each time the boat is put on or removed from a trailer.

I am also talking about consideration to others by getting out of the way and lending a hand to fellow boaters. Not lashing out and being mean.

 

[85 johnson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

Hopfully this pic work http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/stereo949/Van018.jpg http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/stereo949/Van019.jpghttp://http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/stereo949/Van019.jpg

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

If at all possible, reposition the bunks so that the hull sits evenly on them. This will help you load etc. and may save the winch.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

I see from your photos that the brackets holding the bunks are welded in place and not adjustable. Too bad. Maybe mounting a roller under the keel (center) on the crossmember that the front of the bunkers are attached to would help?

P.S. (I would guess from the name brand on your trailer that it was made for a bass boat)

 

[85 johnson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

I'm thinking, I can mount another piece of wood in front to hold the front up or cut where it coming off the bunker, unscrew the bunker from the front then shim it up with something. I think this should work. anybody know a better way.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Mounting a boat on trailer from water

I'm thinking, I can mount another piece of wood in front to hold the front up or cut where it coming off the bunker, unscrew the bunker from the front then shim it up with something. I think this should work. anybody know a better way.

What you suggest would help support the boat on the trailer but I don't think it would help with winching the boat up. You could try those plastic pieces you can put on your bunks.

http://www.iboats.com/Bunk_Slicks_b...4619017--**********.983906981--view_id.169891

You could also try some spray lubricant on your bunks.