Trouble launch and loading boat

New to me boat: I’ve been having trouble launch and loading this boat on this trailer. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions of how to make launching and loading easier?

Issue the boat is very “stiff” to get off the trailer. I have messed with moving that runner “v” in the center I forward and backwards. The closer the “v” is to the stern of the trailer the harder the boat is to launch. I’ve backed the trailer far into the water to get bunks wet or tried staying shallower. It has really not seemed to matter. The boat still stays “stiff” trying to get off the trailer especially lately in shallow river water. I’m thinking this may be result of losing slope at bottom of ramp? I will try to add some slicker on the bunks and see if this is easier to launch. I can muscle up and push off trailer eventually even though it requires some force. I’ve tried backing off with outboard no luck.

Launching while annoying hasn’t been my biggest issue. I really struggled to get this boat back on the trailer. I keep hitting the trailer with the bottom of the hull between my bunks and that rubber “v”. It’s like my bunks are too short, but it’s not really possible to extend them with how my trailer sits. I thought of trying 2-3 of these rubber v but it sticks so much trying to launch with 1 I’m at a loss on what to do. I tried a roller instead of the v. It sat way too high. I made bunks to even higher but higher out of water bunks are harder it is to launch too.

I’ve owned boats about 10 years now and fished 2-3 times a week last 3 seasons. These issues are new to me and specific to this boat. I’ve tried the usual suspects playing with how deep or shallow I put boat in water; wetting bunkers etc. welcome to any and all suggestions. I’m thinking trailer might not be right fit?

Trailer is way too small for that boat, and that is putting the Hull at risk of Deformation.

What he said. The transom should be 100% supported. When driving to the ramp how fast are you going and do you feel any sway from the trailer?

No sway in trailer at all. If pulls really well. I tried boat boat completely forward with the transom above the back end fo the trailer but it was causing way too much tongue weight. The axle is not able to be moved so I was stuck with either way too much tongue weight or an unsupported transom. Have a couple 2x4x8 I am going to install to help make bunks longer to add some additional support. Boat sits 18” off back of transom. I know it’s not not ideal but I think it’s been like this for many years.

Keep and eye out for a proper trailer, it will be worth the few bucks spent.

Going Monday to look at one. Make a swap sell the other boat and trailer

Put a straight edge on the bottom of the hull at the transom and see if there is any hook in the hull if this has been that way for a long time it’s a possibility.

Long flat launching ramps ??
Are always a problem. Add in wind and current? No really experienced helper.
You have a serious problem to overcome.
Finding a GOOD dock somewhere ?? Can be more of a problem. If alone with a a lightweight Aluminum boat in wind and currents. Sometimes I need to do several attempts NOT TO HIT my neighbor.
At 1 time I HAD to use 4 tall guide on poles to load by my self. Resorted to anglingthe trailer about 45 degrees downstream to load every time. Some places are terrible.

Hard to photo. If there is a hook I don’t see much? No expert on boats though

Looks okay from here.

A little gap.

4th pic shows some, as long as no heavy proposing or bow digging in should be good.

It a 40 year old boat I paid 500 for . I’m not super concerned with it being perfect: I just want to make sure it launches and retrieves easy

cyclops222 said:

Long flat launching ramps ??
Are always a problem. Add in wind and current? No really experienced helper.
You have a serious problem to overcome.
Finding a GOOD dock somewhere ?? Can be more of a problem. If alone with a a lightweight Aluminum boat in wind and currents. Sometimes I need to do several attempts NOT TO HIT my neighbor.
At 1 time I HAD to use 4 tall guide on poles to load by my self. Resorted to anglingthe trailer about 45 degrees downstream to load every time. Some places are terrible.

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I primarily launch from same ramp: River I’d way down right now so I’m guessing there probably my number 1 issue. To flat to launch easily. This boat is also way heavier than my old one so picking it up and just setting it where I want it is much more difficult.

No substitute for HUGE tires on the tow truck to back in far enough . Possibly even drop off end of ramp to unload and load. Really need 2 people. 1 in truck and 1 in the boat. Somebody needs to connect trailer winch to boat and wind it up all the way. Then drive out.

cyclops222 said:

No substitute for HUGE tires on the tow truck to back in far enough . Possibly even drop off end of ramp to unload and load. Really need 2 people. 1 in truck and 1 in the boat. Somebody needs to connect trailer winch to boat and wind it up all the way. Then drive out.

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I appreciate it! I may look into a hitch extension after I get the new trailer see how it does.

"Runner V" ?????

You say the Ramp shallows out. Your Trailer is lower at the Front when hitched to your Tow Vehicle, so maybe you are trying to back the Boat Uphill when coming off the Trailer, if the Ramp is really Flat.
Raising the front of the Bunks and the Rollers forward of it, might help with the geometry at the Ramp, or getting a Drawbar that raises the Hitch Ball so the Trailer is Level

Lengthening the Bunks, but not having them supported at the end, will have them bending over time...

If it were me.....I would consider replacing the bunks with longer ones, and add some extra supports for the new bunks. You need a low and wide roller at the very back if the trailer frame for your keel to hit first, a self centering one would be good. Add more keel rollers, and extend the tongue so the boat can move forward if needed. Longer tongues make for easier launch and load. A better trailer would be a plus, but the one you have could be doable. Most important when you get the rest finished is some side guides.
Not that skinny pole that your boat can get around and turn...you need some 4-5' long or longer to keep the boat straight and on the rollers ! My trailer is similar to yours but rather than bunks it has roller bunks ( A bunk made up of 6 rollers on each side with a metal frame for support rather than carpet)
all these rollers make it a one hand launch and load with 6' long guides on each side with only a 1/2-3/4" clearance on each side. Boat can't get off center and the rollers make one hand loading. There is also slippery stuff to add to the new heavier duty bunks you need to add to make the boat slide easier... Good Luck....looking forward to your solutions....

airshot said:

If it were me.....I would consider replacing the bunks with longer ones, and add some extra supports for the new bunks. You need a low and wide roller at the very back if the trailer frame for your keel to hit first, a self centering one would be good. Add more keel rollers, and extend the tongue so the boat can move forward if needed. Longer tongues make for easier launch and load. A better trailer would be a plus, but the one you have could be doable. Most important when you get the rest finished is some side guides.
Not that skinny pole that your boat can get around and turn...you need some 4-5' long or longer to keep the boat straight and on the rollers ! My trailer is similar to yours but rather than bunks it has roller bunks ( A bunk made up of 6 rollers on each side with a metal frame for support rather than carpet)
all these rollers make it a one hand launch and load with 6' long guides on each side with only a 1/2-3/4" clearance on each side. Boat can't get off center and the rollers make one hand loading. There is also slippery stuff to add to the new heavier duty bunks you need to add to make the boat slide easier... Good Luck....looking forward to your solutions....

Click to expand...

This trailer has had the tongue extended at some point in its life already. I had to move the boat back on the trailer about a foot to not have a ridiculously high tongue Weight (around 300 lbs). It’s around 165-175 now which is way closer to my crvs 150-225 lbs max tongue weight towing capacity. I think the whole set up weight around 900 lbs with with trailer give or take. I couldn’t believe how heavy it was. I like all the suggestion you’ve made already. I will look into another keel roller!