Trailering continued... loading suggestions

[Knoxes]

I just read the post on how some of you load up - power-on or crank-up. I just bought a Mastercraft and I haven't done much loading of powerboats. The lake is fairly calm, no currents with the occasional wake and the launch doesn't get much use so I should have it to myself. Any suggestions anybody could offer to help me out? How do you get it lined up properly? Is it just practice to see how deep to set the trailer? How do you get the boat balanced right?

 

[Baja2002]

Re: Trailering continued... loading suggestions

Welcome to the art of launching! First off, i have my wife back the dual axle trailer into the water just enough to cover 3/4's of the wheel-well. This will leave about 2 feet of lower running boards out of the water. If the wind is bad you will have to compensate at the last moment before putting up on the trailer. Also with the running boards out of the water the boat will sit it self in the correct position and you will not be drifting over the trailer! Once the boat is half way on, I have my wife contiue backwards for 2 feet, and then I goose it once to pop the boat up and on. After that I hand crank the boat to the Bowtie and shut the motor down and proceed with the trailer trim.<br />I hope this helps but practice will make perfect!

 

[DaveM]

Re: Trailering continued... loading suggestions

You should ask for landing suggestions from where ever you purchased the boat, or at the local MasterCraft dealer. Seems to me there is really just one way to load a boat like yours and that is to drive it on. You don't mention a model year, but the pro ski style boats I've seen all have side boards guides to prevent damaging the hull fins when loading the boat.<br /><br />Small, light weight boats can be cranked up while larger boats are typically driven on. I have a single axle trailer and a 20' deep-V. The trailer goes in to where the top of the fender is even with the water level and I drive up to within 2-3 feet of the end, then crank the rest. It doesn't take much power to get the boat up on the trailer.<br /><br />Some people like to just dip the tires in the water and really power the boat up. This, I think, looks silly and is totally unnecessary.

 

[ShafferNY]

Re: Trailering continued... loading suggestions

I would recommend totally submerging the trailer and then pull it out to about the top of the wheel wells before loading the boat. If you totally submerg the trailer it lubricates the bunk and/or rollers and makes for easier loading. <br /><br />On thing I please ask you to do, is not to power up on your trailer. If you do, do it gently, not only could you damamge your boat and trailer but you will eventually leave a sandbar at the end of the boat launch. A sandbar can break out taillights, damage your trailer and possibly your lower unit.<br /><br />I hand crank all my boats for that reason, even my step-fathers 1500lb. fiberglass boat. I know it takes more time and energy, but you'll be better off in the long run. There will be alot of people that will disagree with me on this.<br /><br />Your going to have to do what works best for you boat and trailer because each boat loads differently. <br /><br />Chris