Solo hand loading boat question

[DarrellK]

I am a new boat owner. 1978 17' deep V with a 1978 17' Calkins roller trailer, single axle. The fellow I purchased the boat from showed me how to hand load as he did not power load. When solo loading the other day, I put a small scratch in the gelcoat because I had difficulty centering the boat on the front roller. It ran across the front corner of the roller bracket View attachment 219105

 

[alldodge]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Don't know if you were to shallow or to deep but your type of roller trailer will be difficult. There is nothing on the trailer to help center it. This type of trailer is best hand loaded because of the issue of no help with centering. Suggest a bit deeper but not much, this will give more room to move it with less load but will also allow for the boat to drift off. Going to take a lot more practice

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Yea, I agree, more an issue of the rollers and the trailer layout. Nothing really to keep the keel on those rollers. I would consider swapping them out for some better keel rollers.

 

[limitout]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

you should put some side guide boards that go from in front of the fender to the rear of the trailer frame (not those single guide posts) to keep it in line for powering on and it will hold everything in line and makes life so much easier.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

you should put some side guide boards that go from in front of the fender to the rear of the trailer frame (not those single guide posts) to keep it in line for powering on and it will hold everything in line and makes life so much easier.

He said he doesn't power on. With his type of trailer if he powers on crooked the transom will be Ok with side guides but the bow will be on the floor....LOL.

 

[limitout]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

He said he doesn't power on. With his type of trailer if he powers on crooked the transom will be Ok with side guides but the bow will be on the floor....LOL.

with guide "posts" yes, with guide "boards" it has no choice but to go on straight and true and its impossible to go on crooked.

that's the whole point and he can partially power on and do the final 25% by winch, I don't think anyone should power on all the way or they are risking damage.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Loading solo with a roller trailer is a piecocake. Side guides are of no value when you get started. They only help when you are in the last 3 feet of loading. You need the last keel roller to be a self-centering type, or at least one with a deep center in the spool (see post #3). Back in until the last roller just touches the water. Line up the stem with the roller, then take the slack out of the winch line. Once the stem clears the roller and the keel hits it, just crank slowly and she'll go right on...straight.

 

[DarrellK]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Loading solo with a roller trailer is a piecocake. Side guides are of no value when you get started. They only help when you are in the last 3 feet of loading. You need the last keel roller to be a self-centering type, or at least one with a deep center in the spool (see post #3). Back in until the last roller just touches the water. Line up the stem with the roller, then take the slack out of the winch line. Once the stem clears the roller and the keel hits it, just crank slowly and she'll go right on...straight.

Thanks for everyone's input, a self centering roller seems like it will help alleviate the issue until I simply buy a newer trailer.

 

[limitout]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Thanks for everyone's input, a self centering roller seems like it will help alleviate the issue until I simply buy a newer trailer.

the self centering roller is the best way to go to help you get it started straight but the side "boards" as seen here

View attachment 219093

this type of setup will make sure it starts and stays straight even without changing the trailer

maybe now that you can see what I am talking about, you can see it is not a simple guide post or flimsy bracket with a short board.

 

[the machinist]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

A couple of things I found when power loading solo without the aid of docks, is to use bunk guides, but not as long as the one in the photo attachment. I want the trailer not as deep as normal, so the rollers/bunks act as guides, not letting you get off center or crosswise. In my locations, there is always a wind or tidal movement, I try to not load dead on, but compensate for the wind & motor up a bit with the bow into the wind, nose the bow into the side board bunk guide, give it a little power allowing the wind to help you, & by using the guide to push the bow over closer to centering. Once I am centered & partly on the bunks, give it more power & up onto the bunks or about 80% on the trailer. Then hand winch the rest of the way.

If I have the opportunity to use a ****, again wind may be against you. I want the trailer slightly deeper than normal, back down close to the dock, then as I get the trailer tires at the waters edge, crank the trailer so the rear goes angled closer to the dock. This then allows me to by using both a bow & stern line, pull the boat forward, pushing the bow it out a bit so I can then pull it back, guiding the bow with the bow line & pulling on the stern line which may have the stern almost or slightly rubbing the dock. I can usually load it about 85% this way & then winch the rest of the way on. I can have the boat on the trailer & be up the ramp in usually less than 5 minuites.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

here is my suggestion. dont back in so deep. its a roller trailer, not a float on trailer.

 

[Mac3]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Tell you what makes life easy for me with solo power load- I have a reversing camera fitted to the bow of the boat looking down the stem and switch it on when driving on.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

If your having trouble centering a boat on a roller trailer your either too deep or your technique needs some work. #5500 boat on the trailer and winched to the stop in under 2 minutes........by myself

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

you don't say where you are but that looks like a steel trailer and it should not be dunked in salt water.

As others with roller trailer experience said, you're in too deep. Don't float on. My rule for a boat that size is keep the axle dry.

It looks like your roller already has a groove--but it's also looking a bit tired.

I haven't had guide posts or side bunks on the 5 different roller trailers I've used for boats 13', 16', 17' and 19' (but I have posts on a bigger one for a 21 deep V0. Solo launch and retrieve, no problem--though it's better with a pier along side and a helper with the stern line (in) and boat hook (out) to adjust some.

Also by not going in deep, your feet stay dry.

Is it a tilt trailer? if so use that feature, too. takes some learning but boating is all about skills.

 

[the machinist]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

For those of you that may have never used a boat with jet propulsion, bunk guides are the only way to power load, as since the impeller is always turning, even though it may have a somewhat neutral, as the reversing clamshell has to split the out thrust to create part of the flow going forward & part rearward, which is about impossible to do precisely. Therefore you can not slide up, neutral, in gear, out of gear & then power on. You have to nose the bow into the wind & up agaisnt the far guide, let it push the bow around & then center (you hope).

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

I have a Caulkins trailer very much like the one you have. The first boat I had on it went on dead center, no problems, every time. The second that I have on it now ALWAYS goes on off center and I need to be very careful. Power loading is simply out of the question but I have an electric winch.

I have learned from experience to step on the rear bogey so the keel rollers are bottomed out and pull out the winch rope all the way to the rear of the trailer. Then, I only back in far enough so that the rear set of keel rollers are just above the water. Then, I center the keel on the rollers and winch up the boat. All the while, I have my hand on the winch rope and move it sideways to both level wind and to help locate the keel on the front set of keel rollers.

I doubt if self centering keel rollers will help your problem. If your particular model trailer has the capability, experiment with in and out location of the hull rollers.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

The Calkins trailers are very unique in many ways. For one they do not use wobble rollers they use an OEM offbeat design roller. There is also only a very limited amount of adjustment that can be made from every one of them I've seen. Unless you've used one or seen one I wouldn't advise anyone to try power loading with one of these trailers.

 

[DarrellK]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

you don't say where you are but that looks like a steel trailer and it should not be dunked in salt water.

As others with roller trailer experience said, you're in too deep. Don't float on. My rule for a boat that size is keep the axle dry.

It looks like your roller already has a groove--but it's also looking a bit tired.

I haven't had guide posts or side bunks on the 5 different roller trailers I've used for boats 13', 16', 17' and 19' (but I have posts on a bigger one for a 21 deep V0. Solo launch and retrieve, no problem--though it's better with a pier along side and a helper with the stern line (in) and boat hook (out) to adjust some.

Also by not going in deep, your feet stay dry.

Is it a tilt trailer? if so use that feature, too. takes some learning but boating is all about skills.

I am in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Fresh water. If I keep the axle dry, I cannot physically winch the boat onto the trailer - the winch will break - trust me, I know when things are being forced. I tried it today. Not a tilt trailer. I was in too deep, but that axle must be wet. Franks' advice seems to be the best for my situation.

 

[DarrellK]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

I have a Caulkins trailer very much like the one you have. The first boat I had on it went on dead center, no problems, every time. The second that I have on it now ALWAYS goes on off center and I need to be very careful. Power loading is simply out of the question but I have an electric winch.

I have learned from experience to step on the rear bogey so the keel rollers are bottomed out and pull out the winch rope all the way to the rear of the trailer. Then, I only back in far enough so that the rear set of keel rollers are just above the water. Then, I center the keel on the rollers and winch up the boat. All the while, I have my hand on the winch rope and move it sideways to both level wind and to help locate the keel on the front set of keel rollers.

I doubt if self centering keel rollers will help your problem. If your particular model trailer has the capability, experiment with in and out location of the hull rollers.

Thanks Frank. I worked with this a bit today at the ramp. I was too deep initially. I may be a new boat owner, but I've been loading buddies boats for years from driftboats to 25' sleds; truth be told this trailer is quite a pain in the backside. If I stay shallow, I'm walking out the trailer frame to hook my winch on. And even then, I'm having to do as you mentioned - Jimmy right and left with the winch strap to center that darn boat.

 

[DarrellK]

Re: Solo hand loading boat question

Here is a picture of my trailer and the roller setup. It has 13" tires.