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Thread: Problem Launching and Retrieving Boat

  1. #1
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    Default Problem Launching and Retrieving Boat


    I have a Tracker 175 with a 75hp 4-stroke Mercury motor. The trailer has bunks instead of rollers, which is good. Even on the "shallowest" of ramps, I have to keep the boat secured to the trailer winch or it will slide off the trailer onto the ramp. Once the boat & trailer are in the water I have to be careful when I release the winch strap from the bow eyelet. The boat wants to slide off the trailer before I release that winch strap. I sometimes have to use another rope thru the bow eyelet and secure the other end to either the trailer or truck in order to hold the boat in place as I release the winch strap. Then I have to hold onto the rope as I slide the boat off the trailer. In fact, the boat is constantly trying to slide off the trailer on its own and I have to hold onto that rope to control the launch.

    Retrieving the boat is a challenge and is dangerous. I drive the boat onto the trailer and have an immediate problem. If I put the motor in neutral the boat begins to slide off the trailer. I have to put it in gear and give it a little forward throttle to hold it in place while I walk up to the bow, step onto the trailer, grab the winch strap and put it on the bow eyelet, and winch it up a little. Then I have to get on the boat to turn off the motor.

    The cause of all of this is the weight of the motor (it's really heavy) and more weight is added by the gas tank.

    Any ideas on how I can more safely launch and retrieve before I kill myself?

    It is easy when I have a buddy with me.
    GET THE NET HAROLD, GET THE NET!!

  2. #2
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    CrappiePappy is offline Super Moderator - 2013 Man Of The Year * Crappie.com Supporter
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    Putting the boat on the trailer & leaving it in gear to hold it .... how about an extra long piece of cord (or even fishing line) attached to the kill switch lanyard, then pull the kill switch once you get the boat winched up ?? That'd be cheaper than one of those automatic boat latch thingies (Ramp-N-Clamp or Drotto Catch/Release) @ $200-$300

    Not sure what to tell you about your launching solo problems ... other than a 50ft ski rope tied to a cleat or bow eye & your vehicle, back the trailer down to the point where you can barely get to the winch & release the boat winch rope, then get in the vehicle and back up & brake to push the boat off and clear of the trailer ... pull up and get out, then pull the boat to the ramp float/dock, then tie it off and go park the vehicle.
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  3. #3
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    Maybe put some carpeting or coating on the bunks that offers more slip-resistance than the current bunks.
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  4. #4
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    catchNgrease is offline Crappie.com 3K Star General * Crappie.com Supporter
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    Has it got the starboard material on the bunks

    Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
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  5. #5
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    strmwalker is offline Crappie.com Legend * Crappie.com Supporter
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    "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday"
    "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point. "AMEN"
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  6. #6
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    Drotto | Drotto Boat Latch | Boat2Trailer | Boat Loading Latch | Drotto Latch

    X2

    Works well, especially if you have dock access for deeper V boats.

    Step into the the boat and just pull the rope when you are ready to launch.

    To retrieve the boat, just use the motor power to push the boat up into the Drotto assembly and you can hear/ feel the system latch close around the eye bolt and now the boat will not slide back down the trailer.

    Piece of cake easy.

  7. #7
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    Is the hitch on your vehicle too high? It shouldn't slide off the trailer, especially with bunks.

    Also check the keel rollers, the bunks should be holding almost all the weight.

    Is the trailer right for the boat? The bunks should extend past the transom.
    Likes BuckeyeCrappie LIKED above post

  8. #8
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    I would be changing the material on the bunks. It sounds like to me it slides way to easy! The Drotto looks promising too!

  9. #9
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    I changed to synthetic bunks and then installed the drotto, makes launching and retrieving a non event, still playing with depth vs angle of ramp because the ramps I typically use are all different angles. I think the Drotto system is worth every penny and highly recommend it.
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  10. #10
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    I want to think everyone for their responses, Atimm gave me several things to check and they appear to be ok. Thanks. It looks like I'll be buying a Drotto. Didn't know there was such a thing, but after watching several videos it looks like that is exactly what I need! I'm excited about installing it on my trailer and it looks like my problem will be solved. Hurray!!!!
    GET THE NET HAROLD, GET THE NET!!
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