power loading your boat

[scoutabout]

Re: power loading your boat

As with many topics, there are hard core advocates on all sides - and most don't show much inclination to abandon their views. Me included.

I've launched and retrieved a dozen different kinds of boats at more ramps than I can remember in the last two or so decades and have yet to resort to powerloading a single time.

I think I may have coasted on in neutral once, back about '93.

If your prop is turning at all, you are eroding the ramp. Sure, some ramps faster than others but the fact remains...Friends don't let friends powerload.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: power loading your boat

Now that's a perfect example of the effects of exessive powerloading, the right trailer wheel appears to have dropped into the hole.

 

[642mx]

Re: power loading your boat

Just maybe, one reason the current ramp broke off is due to undermining via powerloading and the reason many ramps outlaw powerloading.

If the ramp is "too steep" and the stern thus floats off to the side, install a pair of vertical pole type guide-ons.

No poster yet has posted a truely vaild reason to powerload.

Maybe... or maybe its the current of the river, or the fact that ice gathers around it. The point is, who cares? It lasted 20+ years with no repairs. This is a ramp that easily sees 75+ boaters each day during the weekend.

No poster yet has proven that power loading causes the ramp to break off either.

BTW, we spent about 6 hours on the water today... and we power loaded when we left. And I didn't feel bad about it...lol As a matter of fact, some old man at the ramp complimented us on how quick we loaded (less than 1 minute from backing in to pulling out)

 

[skargo]

Re: power loading your boat

This "debate" never gets tiresome, does it?

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: power loading your boat

I see a lot of you guys lean over the bow and undo your chains and straps, that's not feasible for some of us with cuddy cabins. In my case it is very hard to get up on the bow. For instance, when I anchor, I climb up through my hatch, at least with my upper body, and drop anchor that way.
I'm not even sure I could reach my bow eye if I tried it.

That's what the wife is for. I get the bow close enough for her to hook up the safety chain and she pulls me out...

 

[skargo]

Re: power loading your boat

That's what the wife is for. I get the bow close enough for her to hook up the safety chain and she pulls me out...

Boat looks great! Similar style to ours! I don't think my wife's arms would reach our bow eye anyway.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: power loading your boat

Boat looks great! Similar style to ours! I don't think my wife's arms would reach our bow eye anyway.

Thanks! They're very similar. The wife usually has to wade in a little. She really doesn't like doing it. But, that's what 1st mates are for...........

 

[skargo]

Re: power loading your boat

Thanks! They're very similar. The wife usually has to wade in a little. She really doesn't like doing it. But, that's what 1st mates are for...........

I get you now, I thought she was reaching over the bow.

We walk ours on, she holds the lines while I back the rig down the ramp, we walk it on, me on the bow line, her on the stern. I have my winch strap pulled, and was we walk it on, I hook it to the bow eye and crank her the last foot and a half. Works just as quick as the power loaders or the idle ons.

 

[bowler]

Re: power loading your boat

I kid you not, round here i have never seen anyone NOT powerload. As far as I'm concerned it's quick and painless. I also agree with 642mx, in these parts a good clean powerload draws a compliment from onlookers!

On my ramp there is no other way to do it single handed without getting your feet wet, I prefer to stay dry. Each to their own though, the main thing is the boat is still running at the end of the day!

 

[Mainiac Boater]

Re: power loading your boat

I wasn't too impressed with launching my jet boat after a pontoon boat powerloaded and stirred up a ton of mud and muck with a few weeds thrown in. I had to paddle out past the debris before I even started my boat.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: power loading your boat

And that happens, it's amazing how much water gets displaced, I saw one powerload drop the shorline about 2 feet mometarily along with all the weeds and crap.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: power loading your boat

Yeah, the guys that put the trailer in so shallow that they have to motor it half way up the trailer while throwing a rooster tail really make themselves look like morons...

 

[scoutabout]

Re: power loading your boat

Now that's a perfect example of the effects of exessive powerloading, the right trailer wheel appears to have dropped into the hole.

Exactly. That ramp has been ruined by people that can't see their way clear to spend 30 extra seconds to do a little cranking.


It's a good metaphor for what ills society these days, actually. "Who gives a carp about the next guy as long as life is easy for me."

OK - maybe I'm going a little too overboard...

Anyhoo - luckily I don't have to use it more than twice a year - spring launch and fall haulout.

I took the pic just for my iboats buddies as I knew the argument would rage again sometime...

 

[Biged007]

Re: power loading your boat

I'm guessing those guys with the big "bass boats" regard a $100 fine as chump change,,, if they get caught

I either coast on or pull it on with the dock lines.

I saw someone almost powerload the boat into their truck bed once. They were giving it *ell when all of a sudden the boat/trailer broke grip, boat goes shooting forward and the boat rides up the bow stop,,, 3' past the bow eye. I'm just speculating here, but I'd venture to say that ended the guy's powerloading career

Ned is correct about the $100.00 fine and you'll get a kick out of this one 10 years ago at a ramp on the Housatonic river in Stratford Ct. the goy guns it and low and behold the ball lets go instantly stuffing the tongue right through the tail gate. Add insult to injury the harbor patrol officer he just pulled all of this in front of, on top writing him up red tagged the trailer until he brought a new receiver for the trailer

 

[grego]

Re: power loading your boat

Power loading or not, you should dunk your bunks. "I fish" so I am coming in when MR. BAJA! and his 15 other MR. BAJA, buddies want the ramp, soooo. power loading is the only way to go. you don't want to p*ss off a bunch of 12 year old pr*cks! 40 kids telling you how to load your boat , is more than "I" can take at 11.00 am. NOW! I have loaded my boat, in a sudden storm by angling to trailer at 45% and running boat up over the tandem wheel fender and letting boat slide back down, then gunning it on to a perfect landing, works every one time I have tried it. lol

 

[sublauxation]

Re: power loading your boat

Well put scoutabout

 

[skargo]

Re: power loading your boat

Let's keep this civil guys. I am getting a complex when I am involved in threads that end up with the big lock, even when I don't participate in the shenanigans.

 

[642mx]

Re: power loading your boat

Power loading or not, you should dunk your bunks. "I fish" so I am coming in when MR. BAJA! and his 15 other MR. BAJA, buddies want the ramp, soooo. power loading is the only way to go. you don't want to p*ss off a bunch of 12 year old pr*cks! 40 kids telling you how to load your boat , is more than "I" can take at 11.00 am. NOW! I have loaded my boat, in a sudden storm by angling to trailer at 45% and running boat up over the tandem wheel fender and letting boat slide back down, then gunning it on to a perfect landing, works every one time I have tried it. lol

hahahahahaha.... I wish you could get all the fisherman to get out of my way when I'm heading to the water. You know how us Baja owners can be... After all, we are the most important people on the lake/river.

 

[642mx]

Re: power loading your boat

Let's keep this civil guys. I am getting a complex when I am involved in threads that end up with the big lock, even when I don't participate in the shenanigans.

Skargo... its never going to be civil around here. Because you have a group of people who believe "their way" is the "only way" and they don't want to discuss other ways of doing something.

Instead of having an open mind.... they poke fun, make jokes about short wieners, flatout call people morons, and stereotype owners of certain brands or type of boats.

iboats needs to clean house, but they can't... they have a business to run and you wouldn't want anyone to leave angry.

 

[skargo]

Re: power loading your boat

Skargo... its never going to be civil around here. Because you have a group of people who believe "their way" is the "only way" and they don't want to discuss other ways of doing something.

Instead of having an open mind.... they poke fun, make jokes about short wieners, flatout call people morons, and stereotype owners of certain brands or type of boats.

iboats needs to clean house, but they can't... they have a business to run and you wouldn't want anyone to leave angry.

Just being honest here but I see you give it to people just as hard if you know what I mean. And I'm not being critical of you, there are things I would say in real life that I can't say here or I'll get my peepee smacked.

i was just saying let's keep it civil before this thread goes away like many before have.

Before you know it, we won't be allowed to have powerloading, I/O vs OB, which oil, which spark plug, how to winterize, etc, etc, etc threads.