Thread: Boat to Trailer latch or similar equipment

I don’t own one but I have seen the Drotto in action. It’s the cats meow!

Drotto | Maker of the Catch-N-Release Automatic Boat Latch System

I’ll add I would own one but they don’t make one to fit my Excel.

I have a Drotto, and it works very well.

One thing I will say is ... don't pay all that much attention to the video ads. First thing I noticed about them was the absolute perfect conditions they were shot in, as far as water level vs ramp angle.

I bought the lock along with the Drotto, but it's not the one currently being offered. The one being offered now is merely a "sleeve" & you have to supply your own actual "lock". My lock is like this one : Boat Latch Lock - Boat Latch accessory - Boat2Trailer Lock

If you can move your winch stand, you won't necessarily have to take your boat to a ramp to install the Drotto. I did mine here at home.

I have the Drotto latch and would highly recommend it. It is sometimes a challenge to line up perfect in the wind but when I hear that "click" it makes me smile.

I have a "ramp-n-clamp" that works very well. I have an elderly friend who has a Drotto on his with the extended arm/cord and it allows him and his wife to still launch the boat since he can no longer reach across the bow to unhook the strap.
Boat2Trailer | Boat Latch | Ramp N Clamp | Boat Load System

I am experiencing some of the same things that some of you mentioned. It is working very well to release the boat.

More often than not, I get the boat lined up but have difficulty getting it to snap in. I typically get it on the device, exit the boat then winch it in until it snaps.

This boat is powered by a 25 hp outboard. It just doesn't have enough torque to push it up on the receiver the final few inches required to get it to lock in. I plan to try adjusting the winch stand again. I have varied the depth of the trailer multiple times without consistent success in getting it to snap in.
I haven't given up on it yet. 8-)

Maybe just back the trailer a little deeper to float the boat a little more so the 25 can push the rest of the way? Or apply some liquid rollers to the bunks so it slides easier?
MaryKate Liquid Rollers Trailer Bunk Board Lubricant 10 Wt Oz

One way or another, you'll figure it out soon and love the latch like I love mine....

Chris

Originally Posted by NCkenner

Maybe just back the trailer a little deeper to float the boat a little more so the 25 can push the rest of the way? Or apply some liquid rollers to the bunks so it slides easier?
MaryKate Liquid Rollers Trailer Bunk Board Lubricant 10 Wt Oz

One way or another, you'll figure it out soon and love the latch like I love mine....

Chris

I hadn't heard of the MaryKate Liquid Rollers. Thank you! Do you know if there is a similar material that will work as well? When I followed the link, it indicated it was discontinued.

I haven't given up on the Boat to Trailer. Ill keep experimenting with the depth of the trailer. I fish a power plant lake with a 25 HP limit and it makes it just a little bit more of a challenge in that torque range.