Launch and retrieve.....rookie

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Ah, I see. Those wobble-roller trailers aren't something I've used, so I'm not going to be of much help, I suppose. Still, you have to get the boat in contact with the rollers early in the loading process or you won't be able to keep it centered. Perhaps the trailer was too deep when you retrieved. Still, I've not use that type of trailer.

I'd think a set of side guide-ons would be of great help on that trailer to help center the boat. I've watched a couple of boaters try to load on that style of trailer. One had the guide-ons. The other did not. The one without had a devil of a time centering the boat. The other loaded quickly.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

With that roller type EZ loader the launch deep,retrieve shallow is the rule usually...I used to have that exact trailer under a 18 footer.
Best to winch it on instead of driving it on that type trailer.
Like everyone else stated,NEVER unhook the bow strap until its in the water.
I learned that the hard way my first launch with an EZ loader years ago.
Talk about a bad feeling..watching the boat crash into the concrete and never touched the water...
New boat was in the shop getting glass work done the next day.Good thing i had the motor tilted up.

With the boat in my picture i launch alone often.
I use the rope looped to the winch stand,tap the brakes and let it slide off..

 

[109jb]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I launched alone this weekend after zig-zagging my way down the ramp (2nd time I've ever launched). Going in was easy - coming out was not quite as easy. I haven't mastered getting the boat lined up with the trailer after pulling it away from the dock. It's definitely a little anxiety-producing but hopefully it'll be a piece of cake soon enough!

I looked at the picture of your boat. The wobble rollers are supposed to self center as the boat is winched up. My Sea Ray had a roller setup, but to be honest, for the ramp situations I experience, a bunk setup works better for me. You may want to try some post or bunk style guide ons.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Guide ons would really help that setup...

 

[Bostonian1976]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I actually don't have a problem once the boat gets to the trailer - it's just getting it to the trailer that I have a problem with

that and the last time I winched it up and brought it out, one of the rollers was sideways and the boat was sitting on the side of the roller....probably need to be shallower

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

CATransplant
My trailer have bunks, could you please tell us a few tips to get in easy loading? I can load my 19 footer on my trailer but sometimes it not that easy....

Thanks

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I'm not sure I can help, but I'm sure someone else can.. My boat's a lot smaller. Do you have bunks only, or bunks and keel rollers? A photo would help, but a good description would give us an idea.

Also, describe your loading procedure and where the problem comes in. Often, a small change is all it takes to make loading a lot easier.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Well actually I can load my boat into my trailer nice and easy but some time I had to start pulling it from one side to another cause the side keel just sit over the bunks and that situation allow my boat to go "jumping" when towing, please take a look to the pic. Also this can brake the side keel, its not safe.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I don't know, but that boat does not look properly supported on that trailer. The bunks are not angled to match the angle of the hull, and there's an awful lot of unsupported overhang on the sides.

In fact, that trailer doesn't look like it's really big enough for your boat.

I saw a keel roller in the back in another photo, I think. Is there a roller up front supporting the keel, too?

The fact that you have side ties on up at the front of the hull indicates to me that the instability is real. Where your bunks contact the hull, it's only supported on a very small area. I'm betting the fiberglass of the hull is flexing at those points. That will shortly lead to hull failure.

If I were you, I believe I'd haul your rig to a good marina that sells boats and trailers and have them look at the setup. I think you're in for some serious redesign of the support system for your boat and possible an entirely new trailer...one better suited for that boat.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Cat
I believe the trailer is good enought for the boat, I will take the advice to take the trailer to an expert to check the setup. Anyway I will go with the bunks, you`re right regarding its doesnt match the hull because of the angle.

Also the rollers looks ok supporting the hull, will post pictures tomorrow.

 

[chipman]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I agree with everyone, i have bunk style trailer, when retreiving i stop trailer with top 4-5 inches of back bunk out of water then line boat up between. I recomend backing trailer completly in to get all bunks wet to help boat slide on, this also removes any sand, dust, or other debris that can scratch your gel-coat or paint.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

These helped mine so much,they are well made,slick and very solid.
Need the bunks set up to the hull correctly then the glides take all of 5 minutes to install.
http://www.surfixinc.com/surfix_trailer_bunkslides.html

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I just acquired a new used boat and trailer and I'm studying it. I just can't see an easy way to load my boat solo. It's a roller type trailer and no side guides like my other boat trailer had.

I will likely have to launch/retrieve solo most of the time.
If there is a dock, I can walk it on. That seems simple enough. But if there's no dock. The only way I can see is to drive up to the first set of rollers, then jump off (in the water) and hurry to attach the winch, then quickly crank it on.
Of course, this will not only look foolish, it won't work and I will likely hurt myself in the process. Driving it on seems too dangerous and could bang-up the underside of the boat on the trailer. Am I missing something? I heard something about a tilt trailer that could make loading easier? I may have one, but don't know for sure. My trailer does look like it could split in the middle, but I don't know how it works. Can someone help?

thanks,
jasper

 

[109jb]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Jasper,
Probably should have started a new thread, but anyway...
What you describe is exactly what I experienced with my most recent boat purchase. I ultimately wound up converting my trailer into a bunk trailer. I realize that ths probably isn't the answer you were looking for, but I tried a few different things myself and nothing seemed to work well enough. Here is a thread about what I did. At the end of the thread you will see how I converted my trailer. One thing to keep in mind though is that on my trailer the rollers and brackets didn't just flop around easily like some trailers. They would pivot, but it took some force to do it. This worked in my favor for converting the way I did because when done I don't have to worry about the bunks being cockeyed and punching a hole in the boat when I load. With other roller trailers I've seen, a conversion like mine might not work. I've had it out about at least a dozen times now and it works great.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

109jb,
thanks for the thread, and nice peice of work I might add. You understand me exactly.

I'll give my trailer a season using the walk on method. I understand now why they say "retrieve shallow". I really can't say how many fishing spots near me don't have docks yet, so I'll wait and see. Also, I'll sit by the launch one day and see how others do it. Maybe I'll learn a few more tricks. If things get frustrating after a season, I'll have to try something different.

Thanks again.

jasper