Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Idling in is more what I call power loading. I found that gunning it up the trailer put too much load on the transom, and bunks, after the first time I tried it. I would guess this is the actual meaning of power loading.

This is what I meant when to say, I idle it in until the bunks take the weight of the boat and stop it. I then hop on up to the bow and winch it the rest of the way. I still say this method will kick up sand on short ramps, so I completely hand load in those areas...

An electric winch would work I guess, if it was geared decent enough not to make loading an all day affair. You'd just have to find the right one is all.


Ian

 

[rs2k]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

What about power unloading? That big tri-hull of mine doesn't float off unless the trucks rear break drums are already touching the water.

Maybe I just need smaller trailer wheels. Maybe I need to find a steeper ramp.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

My first boat with a roller trailer, just try cutting the engine 1/2 way up, and guess what happens especially not having someone to catch it, or a dock nearby
Never Again! I can't decide whether to convert to bunks, or get rid of the trailer, for one with bunks? Being as the bride don't care for the boat, (she's spoiled by a jet ski) I'd go out alone if I could.

 

[crb478]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I guess I am spoiled by my ramps, but I idle or just off idle up to my trailer and put the boat on the bunks to within 3-6 inches of the winched up position. My ramps are about 14 foot wide with concrete curbs and they extend at least 30 to 40 feet past where my trailer stops. I can hook the boat up to the winch from inside the boat. Step over and winch it up the last few inches and get in the truck and drive off. My trailer is set up so the boat only goes on one way and it is high enough that I can leave the engine down and not catch anything. I don't gun the motor especially over muddy ramps though.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Let's define the terms. Power Loading and Loading Under Power have two different meanings that was touched on a couple of posts earlier. Power Loading is sneaking up to the trailer, nosing in, and then applying power to run the boat onto the trailer. I'm not for that technique either but like many others, whether I agree or disagree depends on the ramp conditions. Loading Under Power is getting lined up on the trailer and powering to it. Now the beauty of a roller trailer. With just a little speed you nearly coast up to the bow stop and if you don't make it all the way, no big deal, that's what the winch is for. I see no problem with that since you have shifted into neutral long before any ramp damage has happened. On a very steep ramp, obviously a buddy or a trained family member is required to latch onto the boat before it slides back off. On shallow ramps, steep or not, I winch only. If wind or current is your enemy then load guides on the trailer are your salvation.

 

[Dusty279]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

My bow loop is loose. I have tried to tighten it but no go... I back in far enough that I can tie off to 2 cleats on the bow and pull it in. Tried to power load once and nearly had boat in the back of my Ramcharger.
Any suggestions on tightening the bow loop? Can't loosen or tighten it.

 

[gss036]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

There should be a nuts on the inside of the hull if you can get them. Other wise tighten the ones on the outside. You don't want to over do it but that is one of the strongest points on the boat. (usually)

 

[jennis9]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I hate the damage power loading causes at the ramps. In my area - the ramps we use to the lake are public ramps. Which means that state tax dollars pay for upkeep and repair. Which also means entitlement to anyone who wants to use them in any manner they please. Uhgggh.

The best system we have found for our bunked trailer is to get the trailer guides and guide the boat on the trailer with the dock lines and winch it up by hand. The guides make it really simple to line it up and we only need to pull the trailer half way in the water to make an easy retrieval. If I had to - I could do it myself. But we have an aluminum boat only 21' so it's not a heavy vessel. High wind makes it a challenge sometimes though.

We thought of getting an electric winch -- but it's just one more electrical device that can malfunction and it is slow. I can get the boat up to the bow roller within a foot or two and we only need to put the trailer in a little over half way.

I don't see a need to use power to get the boat on a trailer if you have it set up properly for your needs. Break out another thousand applies to trailers too.

 

[David Greer]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

If your bow eye is loose, beware. I had one pull out while trailering (hence my suggestions about not putting all your tie-down focus on the eye). It was a real pain to replace b/c the back of it was buried in flotation foam and I had to cut a hole in the front locker to get to it. But if you get to yours, install an extra metal (SS) plate to it, or huge washers, and be sure to use SS only (my original nuts were not and that's why they rotted away).
Ooh that sounds bad.

 

[TensawRiver]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Being from south Alabama we do not have the big lakes that you guys fish. We mostly fish the Mobile/Tensaw River Delta that has both public and private owned pay to lauch sites. All are different in steepness and concrete, or just home made. Everyone Power loads ( idle in then a little thrust to slide right up to the bow hook. I can definetly see from the link provided that it will cause damage over a period of time in lakes. But here the rivers are fast current and all the time get flooded for long periods of time due to having a Lock & Dam (Claiborne) north of us all. So most all lauch sites are in pretty good shape with a few exceptions of some privetly owned that were done right first. Hope I am not looked at as the bad guy here for doing this. If so the everyone in the south is the bad guy...LOL...Just joking.

 

[RC]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Always proud of my wife when we launch and retrieve. When we launch I just drop her in, she backs out idles around for a bit then comes back to pick me up after I park the truck. Same when we retrieve she drops me off, I get the truck, she idles it on, I hook it up and we're gone in just a minute or two!

 

[Dusty279]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I can get to the nuts on the bow eye, but neither one will budge. I even tried impact wrench. They're REALLY stuck. guess I will use a dremmil and cut them off and replace the eye. What do you think of this idea?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

If an impact gun (air I hope, them battery/plug in ones aren't quite as good) isn't getting them off, then I'd say you have no choice. The dremel is the best idea, being carefull not to damage the hull (don't get impatient). Just my 2 cents though...


Ian

 

[Dusty279]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

If an impact gun (air I hope, them battery/plug in ones aren't quite as good) isn't getting them off, then I'd say you have no choice. The dremel is the best idea, being carefull not to damage the hull (don't get impatient). Just my 2 cents though...


Ian

Yeah it's an air impact. i figure if i cut through the nuts they will come off. thanks for the reply

 

[skargo]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Can you get a nut splitter on them?

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Like Daniel2229 I was also taught to power load with our new boat last year, but I knew from boating class that it was wrong. Nevertheless, I see most boaters do it anyway.

We have a roller trailer, so it is easy to just power up and attach the wench strap. In Minnesota, the water stays colder longer in the spring, and gets colder sooner in the fall, so everyone tries to avoid getting wet.

Over time I've been working on not power loading. Lots of experimenting (I boat during weekdays, so ramp not crowded). So far, the best luck I've had is to back the trailer down the ramp, stop just before the coupler is over water, let out the winch strap a good distance (like 6 to 7 feet), rest the clip ring on top of the trailer's spare tire, back the trailer in another 3 feet, idle boat onto trailer, reach over side of bow to grab clip ring on winch strap, attach it to bow eye, slowly pull vehicle with trailer and boat in tow 3 feet back up ramp, then crank the boat onto the trailer and fasten the safety chain. With rollers, the cranking is easy and goes fairly quickly.

Now that the air and water temps are going up, I can just put on my sandles and get wet anyway, so that'll save those steps of moving the vehicle 3 feet down and back.

Gee, this reads like there are a lot of steps, but with practice it is now going pretty fast. And I feel better by maintaining the ramp's integrity.

 

[MudSkunk]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

I never realized power loading was bad, but I don't think it's possible to load my big tri-hull without power loading unless I want to get very wet. That's not a problem in the summer, but when fishing in early spring and late fall getting wet is dangerous. Any ideas?

if your really good at boat handling you can idle speed straight up the trailer. i take mine in when i am alone at idle and pop the engine into neutral before i hit the trailer and it takes it right up the trailer. i am ready to hit reverse if a bad wind comes up but that usually doesnt happen. i have a bow line with a quick connector attached so i dont lose control of the boat as i am getting out to attch the winch and secure the boat. i winch it tight then pull the trailer out most of the way and check to make sure the boat is centered and im done.

i use that on my 16' aluminimum and it is the same technique i used to use for my 23' wellcraft. there is nothing wrong with sinking the trailer much as is reasoable to keep the vehicle from sinking. a decent trailer is designed to be wet. if salt water you should have a salt water trailering rig. a good rinse and salt isnt an issue to a trailer that has been well kept.

a key is making sure the bunks are wet to allow easier winching.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

They do make a slick spray for your bunks and rollers - beware. i read a post that a guys boat slid off the trailer too soon because it was SO slick.

keeping the bunks wet does make a difference though.

 

[scjmc]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

This thread is interesting because power loading is the most common thing down here. I have a 6000 LB 26ft boat, and cranking it is out of the question. We also have solid limestone insted of sand or mud base under the ramp though!! The power loading usually does cause a 'hill' of silt behind the ramp causing a shallower spot.

 

[grego]

Re: Spin off from "Major Mistake at ramp" post Power Loading

Wet your bunks. back down ramp enough wet most of trailer bunks, then pull to loading level. Boats load better!