Boat Loading and unloading

Pomoxis · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 05:31 AM

I'm a realivly new boat owner and have a question since the water is getting much colder.

Is there a way to load the boat without getting in the water? Our trailer has carpet skids and I always have trouble getting the boat on. If I use the motor the boat wants to drift right. If we use the ropes we have to get into the water...not far but probably about a foot deep. On the tries we can drive the boat right on it's usually not perfectly centered on the trailer.

Just wondering since alot of folks I see at the ramps don't seem to have trouble.

I try to get the trailer in the same spot every time so the boat can get all the way on w/o hitting the skids. At the ramp we use the water is just barely up to the cab.

Thanks in advance.. with the colder weather I don't want to get into the water if I can help it.

wannabe fisherman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 05:55 AM

the first thing to do, if you don't have guides on the back of the trailer, get a pair or make some. they will help guide your boat onto the trailer in the right position so you don't have to back so far into the water.
have them on mine and I only need to get the top of trailer fenders at water level power on hook up and pull out.
hope this helps a little.

Shellback · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 06:28 AM

If you powerload, it's all a matter of knowing how deep to get your trailer. How deep isn't always the same at every ramp, as the steepness effects how your boat will load. When backing in to off load my boat, I like to take note of when the stern of the boat starts to float. I'll want my trailer just shy of that point when loading the boat. That way your stern isn't floating and able to swing side to side when pulling up the ramp in your truck. At some steeper ramps, to keep the stern from floating, I may have to winch up the last foot or so. I can usually do that by climbing over the bow and standing on the trailer tongue. Also, first back the trailer in far enough to get the bunks completely wet then pull ahead to the right depth for loading.
I also have a pair of oversize hip boots that I can slip on and off easily when I need to get in the water. I fish some electric only lakes, and you can't powerload. Another alternative is the walkway boards they sell for trailers which you clamp to the frame. They allow your to walk out on your trailer frame to hook up the bow eye.
If you are new to trailer boating, just take your time and experiment. Nows a good time of year for that, as I'm sure the boat traffic has let up.

Pomoxis · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 07:20 PM

ty for the answers, we're looking at trailer guides. there are some with rollers, or skids, or just poles. Do yall suggest any specific kind? I'd like the ones that are just poles but I don't want to bend them when the boat hits em... Might go with the rollers.

Thoughts?

skeetbum · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 07:46 PM

Ditto what shellback said. If you can get to the ramp when it's not too busy and look how deep your fenders are when you attempt to load. Each boat and each ramp is different. I used side guides on a previous boat with good success. 2 supports and a 4 or 5 foot bunk on either side. 2 short bunks in the middle in the back of the trailer will help center and keep it centered as you load. Be careful of where you buy your parts, some places really gouge you for the stuff. Do some research first, maybe find a boat like yours at a dealer for sale and see how they did it.

704gary · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 12:44 PM

I made my guide post out of PVC. Mount a alum. plate (6"x4") to trailer
frame. Use S.S. u-bolts to hold post. 1 1/4" Pvc post,
cap- 10"pipe- 45 deg. elbow- 4"pipe- 45 deg. elbow- 36"pipe- cap

CatFan · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 08:18 PM

Normally it can't help being centered unless you are too deep. Back all the way in so the bunks are wet, then pullup until about a third of the bunks are in the water. Adjust so you don't have to goose it too much to hit the bow stop. 9 times out of 10, new boaters put too much trailer in the water. The bunks can only guide if the weight of the boat is on them.

speckfinder · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 05:44 AM

is it a fiberglass bass boat or aluminum with a fairly flat bottom? if it is flat it will help to put another set of guide posts farther forward on the trailer. (2 sets total)

ready2fish · #9 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 06:04 AM

bunk board guides and very worth the money, also i have a pair of hip waders that i use.

Pomoxis · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 09:57 AM

it's a 1994 Sunbird Stinger. 17.5' long and about 2300lbs or so. The Trailer has carpet skids. If I dont' get the trailer deep enough the boat sticks short and I have to try and winch it up which doesn't work very well so I end up going deeper.

I'm loading at Nivins so it may be the ramp angle maybe?

My goal is to be able to load without getting in the water and learn to do it by myself so I don't have to rely on my lovely bride to go fishing.

I've missed ALOT of fishing because I can't load by myself without getting into the water.
Jer