What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

[unixgeek13]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

I hate it when I think of something right after I post!!!<br /><br />Maybe the problem with the slip in her mind is that it will bind you to the body of water, and she wants to take the boat other places?<br /><br />You know her best... just ask her "why the push-back?"

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

It's been said and I'll repeat it. I had a horrible time cecntering my boat until I bit the bullet and started winching it up the last 7-10 feet. World of difference, it goes on 100% straight every time. <br /><br />Another thing I noticed that can be a problem that hasn't been mentioned (I don't think) is that if it's an I/O, make sure the steering is striaght. Even when up, the outdrive is in the water and if it's turned and you're floating the boat on, every time you pull up the ramp the boat's rear will drift in the direction the drive is turned. Believe me I know from experience....

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Originally posted by unixgeek13:<br /> Not a flame D., but recommending power-loading to someone having trouble getting on the trailer is scary!<br /><br />

I understand you didn't intend to flame, but I did not "recommend" powerloading at all. And, when done correctly and appropriately, it is not scary - I don't understand that at all. But it is a viable option and a good way to load a boat - when appropriate! Very common and appropriate where I live and launch my boat. Not so elsewhere.

 

[farginicehole]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

"Anybody out there who can convince wifey to like the slip?!? "<br /><br />Man, my wife hates it if I refer to her as "wifey" or anything like that! We were looking pretty seriously at getting a 28-33' flybridge cruiser (although I would call it flybridge fishin' machine!) earlier this spring, and one of the big problems we had is that we couldn't agree on a marina. Since we would be spending a lot of weekends there, she wanted it to be in a nice town with a lot of other stuff around that she could go do. Unfortunately, most of those were at least an hour and a half drive away from where we live/work. I wanted it to be in a port that offers good fishing, and wanted it to be close enough to be feasible to fish on a weekday here and there if I could blow out of work a little early. Soooo, for now, we have put our big boat search on hold and are just using our walleye boat. I agree with Unixgeek13 - just ask her, in such a way that won't make her get defensive, why she doesn't like the slip?

 

[Solittle]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

You didn't tell us anything about your boat or trailer so it is hard to give advice. However I've been using ramps for over 30 years from an 11'er to a 28'er. My present rig is a 23' CC.<br /><br />I have a bunk trailer and must sink it to get on or off the trailer. The guides mentioned above put the boat in the general position I'm looking for. I stand in the water by the winch using the bow line and have someone holding a long line attached to the rear stern cleat. I have them push or pull the stern as I pull the boat forward on the bunks. I use the winch for the last 10'.

 

[bold123]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

I had similar problems. I asked my brother for advice as I had watched him drive his boat on a trailer dozens of times with ease. The advise I got was to start with my outdrive as high as possible (while still in the water as this gives the best low (trailering) speed steering response. You don't want to float the boat on the trailer. If your trailer is such that when the wheels hit the hull with three or four feet to go, even if you are crooked to start, slowly give the boat some gas and it will center itself (you can still steer to help). I prefer drive the boat on the trailer and to crank the last two to five inches. If you are cranking more than a foot you are wasting effort and probably will end up having a line forming as well as getting a good workout. Workouts are better suited for the gym!

 

[trebot]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

I've found, back the trailer in until the fenders are 1/2 under water. This will usually get the boat started on the trailer and the bunks/rollers will then help center the boat. I also found a device which mounts on the front of the trailer and is used as a visual guide for centering and distance for power loading. Works great. If interested, contact me at kurt1550@aol.com and I'll give you info on where to get it.

 

[gr8rg8r]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Erau,<br /><br />With respect to Crazy Charlie, he is DEAD WRONG. The EASIEST thing about trailering is launching the boat - anyone can do that. Retrieving it is the challenge. So, just because you are having difficulties, don't believe that "the prognosis is not good."!<br /><br />Go with the other suggestions, but let me add two more: 1. Make sure your winch is a good one because you are going to be pulling that bad boy against gravity. 2. Shoot some lubricant (WD-40 eg.) on the rollers and bunks because you are going to be pulling that bad boy against gravity.<br /><br />Richard

 

[Pony]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Also make sure the rope on the winch is strong....I've had one or two ropes break while i was winching the boat on the trailer, then i finally upgraded to a stainless steel cable.

 

[brother chris]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Just try and try until you get it right. It will never be perfect all the time. <br />When my boat is not on perfect and there are people around, I usually just ask 2-4 people to help lift my boat(while it is on the trailer) and move it over. Convincing them is easy.....a free beer for 1 minute of their time. <br /><br />Also, NEVER let anyone else put YOUR boat on YOUR trailer. If it is not theirs, they do not treat it right. ALWAYS do it yourself....ALWAYS.

 

[Mark42]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Being new to boating, and having only launched my boat about 7 or 8 times, I can tell you this: It takes a bit to get the hang of your boat. Mine is only 14.5' and it centers all by itself if the trailer is in the water enough that the bunks are about 2/3 wet. Too deep and it does float all around. <br /><br />I have had people tell me to power it on, put the trailer in farther, take it out more, get a longer winch strap, trim up, trim down, push, don't stand in the water, and to check my plugs.<br /><br />The only bit of advice that actually was worth anything was to check my plugs. All the rest you figure out as you learn your boat.<br /><br />Now I can retrieve the boat in 2 or 3 minutes if everyone else keeps their mouth shut and doesn't distract me. (no offense intended to you helpful long time boaters )<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />Mark

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

I used to land the boat perfect everytime. That was before I was doing it only twice a year. Now all I can tell you is get a long rope onto the eye of the boat. Put your trailer half way into the water and hope for the best. <br /> If not on the first time then try again. If can not do it immediately then let it be on crooked, pull into a parking spot and wait till you can go back to the landing and try again. <br /> Always take something to drink or eat and it will look like you had planned to stay there.

 

[uscboy]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Sobriety.<br /><br />Heh, jk.

 

[DC698]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

When launching my 20ft boat I put my roller trailer in until the water hits the top of the fenders and do the same when loading. I normally power load the boat onto the trailer and my wife will hook up the winch strap and crank the winch a couple times to secure it. I never needed "guide-ons" because the rollers center the boat first time everytime. Erau85, maybe your rollers need to be adjusted?? It does take a few trips to get the hang of unloading/loading the boat. Good luck!

 

[Link]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

erau85<br /><br />Your right about a lot of info and help here <br />Ive learned a lot in this thread alone to help someone.<br /><br />In addition to the methods to use what RatFish mentioned about side guides really helps in currents. (and without)<br />A friend uses them and loves em<br /><br />I use carpeted side bunks set up with on a 1/4 of clearance on each side. Pretty hard to get on crooked that way! <br /><br />Here is a pic when we were putting on right after painting the outside hull. Plus its a little bitty boat.<br /><br />

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Link, what are those rails for on your boat?

 

[Link]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

cobra 3.0 <br /> <br />Will find a side shot and make a different post here most likely tomorrow on Sunday with pro's and Cons

 

[calwldlif]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Hi<br /> Noone mentioned that getting the trailer in the water straight is half the challenge.<br />if your trailer is off one side or the other<br />then the water depth at the bunks is different.<br />water depth over the bunks or rollers must be equal and the proper height. This is crucial to the geometry of the trailer, when you err err to the shallow side.this will let the trailer balance out the boat.<br /><br />My trailer is easy to get straight in the water,<br />My brothers (for some reason is not).<br />I have to really pay attention to get his straight or the boat sits crooked.<br />Rick

 

[UpstNYer]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

Make a deal with the wife: If she'll let you use the slip, you'll stop calling her wifey.

 

[sergioy]

Re: What's the secret to getting the boat straight on the trailer?!?

I use to use the winch to load my boat, but that is really for the birds. Once I worked up the curage to try power loading, I have never looked back. It took a few tries to try and get a feel for how deep my trailer needed to be in the water, but now i've got it down to a science. I back the trailer down to right when the wheel wells get submerged. Once I do that I can be a little off center and the boat will get just fall into place. I have seen many people that are backed in way too deep and have to keep trying over and over. <br />I have suggested every time that they pull their trailer out a little and I get the weirdest looks, "Like I have a new boat, you have an old boat, its not the same." That may be true, but after I am done unloading everyone and putting away all the equiptment, and cleaning the boat, sometimes they are still trying to get it right.<br /><br />The thing that helped me out a lot was the fact that I do a lot of boating in the middle of the week, so there was rarely anyone pressuring me to get it done asap. Its a good thing too because the first time I tried backing down a trailer it took me 20 minutes, and the first time I tried trailering my boat was about the same experience.