Need help loading boat my self

[matt1778]

I have no trouble getting the boat in the water alone but I am having trouble getting it back on the trailer.When I try to load the stern always drifts off to one side or the other before I can get it out of the water.The trailer has rollers up the middle and bunks at the back.And I cant power load at my local landing.Any cheap easy options would be of great help.

 

[hrzracr23]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

my trailer has pvc loading helpers you can make them yourself pretty easy u bolt the pvc to to the frame of your trailer then you elbow another piece along each side of the boat when its centered on the trailer then al you have to do is line the bow up in between hook your winch strap on and crank it up mine will just bounce back and forth between the pvc uprights until the stern hits the bunkers but it usually keeps it pretty cenetered i dont know worked for me

 

[matt1778]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

sounds good to me cheap and easy just the ticket.Thank you

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

I use two ropes. One tied to the starboard side cleat and the other to the port side cleat on the front deck of the boat. My boat, isn't too big, though - a 14ft fiberglass runabout.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

You don't say what kind and size of boat you have.

For me, I've found that my launching depth and my retrieving depth are quite different. I float the boat off the trailer, but retrieve with the rear roller at the surface of the water. The groove in that roller holds the keel as I crank the winch, and the boat stays centered nicely, regardless of wind or current.

That said, it's a 12' aluminum boat, so there's not a lot of weight to deal with. Still, most boaters find that retrieving requires a different depth for the trailer than launching.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

I agree about the depth. I find it easier to retrieve when the roller is slightly above or even with the waterline.

 

[matt1778]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

Yeah my boat is a bit heavy.I wish I could do it that way.I have a 15ft 1968 montgomery ward sea king fiberglass with a 60hp chrysler.I now have a pic of it as my avatar.I do thank you all for any and all help thoe.I am new to this site and this is my first boat.Must say that anyone who boats should be on this site many nice and helpfull people.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

Agreed with the depth thing. Launch and recovery can be different. Previous boat was that way however my current boat launches and recovers extremely well with the fenders about one inch submerged. I have a E-Z loader trailer.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

I agree with the point about the depth. I always use the top of my trailer fenders as a guide. I go to the top of my fenders for launch and leave three inches sticking up for loading.

That being said, you need to use your own judgment as to how much of the bunks you leave sticking up.

 

[matt1778]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

I think I will go down to the landing with a friend on a slow day and try out some of these options.yesterday was my first time puting in and takeing out by my self not fun but I'm sure i'll get the hang of it thanks for all the advice.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

I think I will go down to the landing with a friend on a slow day and try out some of these options.yesterday was my first time puting in and takeing out by my self not fun but I'm sure i'll get the hang of it thanks for all the advice.

Let us all know how you make out.

 

[Astroquickfire]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

If your trailer is a "drive on" like my bass boat trailer, then just get the last foot or so of the bunks in the water. I just ease up to the trailer at a idle and get the keel on the center roller and with the 150 Merc trimmed up a bit, goose the "hot foot" throttle and drive it on. My boat will actually go all the way on the trailer to the front stop and push my truck if I stay in the throttle and will automatically "center" itself. I can then step off the front of the boat on the dry ramp and hook the winch and "boat buckle" up to secure it. I haven't ever used my winch to pull the boat on the trailer in 18 years, only to secure it.

My boat is a bass boat and the trailer is made for "drive on/off" so your trailer/boat may not be made to do that.

 

[Zamboni]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

I was having some difficulty retrievinf till I put side guides on the trailer. No problem at all now, dealers should put guides on every trailer leaving their lot. Saw a new boater struggling with an 08, we did the wet bunks, pull trailer out and winch boat on twice....I finally got chest deep, held stern while he winched. After watching me load he is getting trailer side guides before the boat goes in the lake again.

 

[109jb]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

If your trailer is a "drive on" like my bass boat trailer, then just get the last foot or so of the bunks in the water. I just ease up to the trailer at a idle and get the keel on the center roller and with the 150 Merc trimmed up a bit, goose the "hot foot" throttle and drive it on. My boat will actually go all the way on the trailer to the front stop and push my truck if I stay in the throttle and will automatically "center" itself. I can then step off the front of the boat on the dry ramp and hook the winch and "boat buckle" up to secure it. I haven't ever used my winch to pull the boat on the trailer in 18 years, only to secure it.

My boat is a bass boat and the trailer is made for "drive on/off" so your trailer/boat may not be made to do that.

He said he couldn't power load at the ramp he uses.

If it were me, I would put a couple guide posts or guide bunks on it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

Couple of guides would certainly help a lot I think !!!!

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

If your trailer is a "drive on" like my bass boat trailer, then just get the last foot or so of the bunks in the water. I just ease up to the trailer at a idle and get the keel on the center roller and with the 150 Merc trimmed up a bit, goose the "hot foot" throttle and drive it on. My boat will actually go all the way on the trailer to the front stop and push my truck if I stay in the throttle and will automatically "center" itself. I can then step off the front of the boat on the dry ramp and hook the winch and "boat buckle" up to secure it. I haven't ever used my winch to pull the boat on the trailer in 18 years, only to secure it.

My boat is a bass boat and the trailer is made for "drive on/off" so your trailer/boat may not be made to do that.

not only did he say he couldn't power load, but it is a bad idea imo. Erodes the lake or river bed at the ramp causing a big drop off. I think they should outlaw it everywhere.

 

[109jb]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

not only did he say he couldn't power load, but it is a bad idea imo. Erodes the lake or river bed at the ramp causing a big drop off. I think they should outlaw it everywhere.

I wouldn't go that far. There are many ramps that have concrete going way out into the water to accomodate power loading.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Need help loading boat my self

around here at this time of year there isn't such a ramp. In the spring yes, but by this time of year no.