Retreiving in a crosswind

[airdvr1227]

Had a hard time today getting my boat back on the trailer. There was a pretty good crosswind and I couldn't keep her off the dockside. Ended up walking the winchline out to it and just winching her aboard.

I'm missing something here.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

You're missing guide-ons on your trailer. Search the forum for installation tips. Not hard to do.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

I know guideposts are good. This was a launch ramp with a dock that extended out about 100'. I never got close enough to the trailer before I was pinned against the dock by the crosswind.

 

[109jb]

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

You have to come in at a slight angle (crab) and then crank the bow to line up with the trailer at the last second. I have to do this about 80% of the time since I launch in a river with the current. Crosswind makes the boat behave just like it is in a current.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

I agree about the angle approach but disagree about direction. Approach from upwind (travel downwind) perpendicular to trailer, put the bow just upwind of the center, and pivot. If you can have someone on the bow to grab the winch cable and hook it the better. If you are motoring on, same drill but start driving up on an angle. (not trying to provoke the discussion about power loading).
If you have a choice of docks, use the upwind dock and have someone on it with your stern line-you bow will be fixed on the winch cable and the stern will pay out.
If you don't ahve guides have someone in the boat stake down yuor shove pole on the downwind side as a guide.
techniques obviously vary with size of boat and whether you float on or roll on.

 

[109jb]

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

All I was showing in the pic was that the wind will affect the direction that the boat actually travels when under power at low speed. Each situation calls for a different approach which is determined by experience. However, I totally disagree with approaching perpendicular to the trailer since he mentioned that the dock extended out 100'. You would be travelling with the current directly at the dock. Not a good idea IMO.

Since the description is that the wind was pushing the boat toward the dock I would approach it this way (For a bunk trailer). How I would do it starts with the trailer. Put the trailer as far upwind as the ramp allows. Then approach the trailer with the direction of travel of the boat parallel and slightly upwind of the center of the trailer (totally disagree with perpendicular to trailer). To do this you need to crab where the boat is pointing upwind/upstream enough to control the drift. Then, just before reaching the trailer, swing the bow so that the boat and trailer are aligned. If you do it right, the boat will now be straight with the trailer, but the current/wind will now be able to push you downwind/downstream. This is why the initial alignment is slightly upwind/upstream of the trailer. The boat should have enough forward speed to get to the trailer at the same time as the drift has the boat directly behind the trailer. The boat should just slide up the bunks. It takes practice and knowing your boat but can be done easily once you are used to it. Attached is a picture showing what i mean.

If you have a roller trailer, this is one area where I don't like them. In that case you pretty much just walk the boat on the trailer.

 

[rbh]

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

river currents and winds are a pain. I would rather power into them than go with them, better control.
rob

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

109, I agree now with you; I forgot about the dock's length. I often use a ramp that is cut into the bank so it's a different deal.
With the long docks, the side you choose is also affected by whether you have help. If you are up against the upwind/upcurrent dock and can walk it down with bow and stern lines, the problem is solved. Your second design is better for solo so you can work against the dock.
Bottom line as you said is to have experience. I suggest that it's on the bad days, and not the calm ones, if the ramp's not crowded, practice several "touch and go's."
When I was teaching my children, I'd have them touch the bow on a fixed object in the middle of the river, such as a piling, from all directions to learn how to work the wind and current. And no slamming reverse for brakes! (actually I started with a soft target like a mud bank for obvious reasons).

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Retreiving in a crosswind

All good advice and I thank everyone. The problem I forgot to mention was there were 2 docks sticking out about 100 feet. I tried to crab into the wind but there wasn't enough room between the docks to get the correct angle.

Next time I think I'l just get it close and walk it along the dock until I can get a winch line on her. Not an easy task with a 23 footer.