New boater. New to loading boat

[ahicks]

^^^This^^^

The voice of reason and experience.

 

[Captain Caveman]

As others have said, power loading (i.e. using the boat's motor to "power" up onto the trailer) creates future problems at the boat launches. See graphic below from the Minnesota DNR. Power loading is easier which is why many people do it.

I keep a set of old water shoes in the bed of my truck. Normally I can load without getting my feet wet, but it's good to know that I can easily do it if needed. Every boat landing is different meaning some are steep, shallow, concrete, mud, gravel, in a current, etc. Each will require a variation of proper loading procedures. It all can be done safely if you properly prepare.

 

[CaptainSteveo]

As others have said, power loading (i.e. using the boat's motor to "power" up onto the trailer) creates future problems at the boat launches. See graphic below from the Minnesota DNR. Power loading is easier which is why many people do it.

I keep a set of old water shoes in the bed of my truck. Normally I can load without getting my feet wet, but it's good to know that I can easily do it if needed. Every boat landing is different meaning some are steep, shallow, concrete, mud, gravel, in a current, etc. Each will require a variation of proper loading procedures. It all can be done safely if you properly prepare.

Interesting. Now I see what "power load" is. I have seen a couple people at local lakes that did not back down far enough and then mashed the throttle to ram the boat up on the trailer. I guess that is power load.

My wife and I work as a team to load. I go get trailer and back down and she brings in the boat. I have the trailer about fender deep and she runs the boat to trailer and cuts throttle and raises trim. Boat glides onto trailer and I grab bow and hook it and crank it in. Takes less then a minute to get on trailer. Was taught this method by friends who had decades of experience. Only issue's I have had are when it's very windy and I've have go in the water to straighten the boat and hook it up and pull it on. Of course this wouldn't be possible if you are alone.

 

[ahicks]

Regarding cross winds and currents, a set of rear guides that are located and set up properly can be a HUGE help! Many actually make backing up easier as well.

 

[jimmbo]

A EZLoader Roller Trailer is really not a Trailer that works well for driving the boat on, as you know it will unload as soon as the power is cut. They relly shine when you winch a boat on. If you can get the Boat to float to the trailer so as to get the Bow between the rearest Rollers, even if the trailer tires aren't wet, the boat can be loaded using the winch.
As with any trailer, especially one like yours, don't back it too far

I wish I had better better Picture, but I launched and loaded with trailer wheels barely wet, and the lake did get deep enough to put the engine down till about 40 ft from shore. a 78 or 79 EZLoader

 

[Starcraft5834]

on my 3rd boat.. Ive never driven any of them on the trailer... back trailer into water.. depth is key... if it's bunk or roller, ive found.. assuming its a decently slopped ramp... only submerge half way.. ie- water line halfway up the bunks from rear to front.. pull boat in position by hand and crank her up... easier to get it on straight the first time, to little control trying to drive it up on. just like Jimbo pic,, bout half way up is best, also only launch on concrete ramp,, if its soft, i wont use it

 

[Mike_Berry]

It's not very tough. I've been trailing boats for 40 yrs. 17' Searay,17 Glasspar ,23 Blackman,24 Skipjack,25 Wellcraft,26' BLACKMAN. I Fish sol and take people. Just practice,practice,practice. Watch some videos and spend time at the ramp watching others. I personally drive the boat on the trailer, tilt the outdrive or outboard and go up to the bow and winch it up and pull it out. Obviously if you have a roller trailer it will roll back. I personally don't like roller trailers. Bunks for me. You'll get it.

 

[roscoe]

What do you mean I shouldn't get my feet wet?

A few years ago I was at a flowage that was having the dam repaired.
Water was lowered 6 or 7 feet.
I backed down the ramp, ran out of ramp, kept backing anther 30 feet before I hit water.
Another 40 feet and I was still only in 8" of water. I stopped and pushed the boat into the water.

I used the other ramp with a steeper pitch to retrieve the boat.

Many of the ramps in my area were built when the average boat length was 14',
so the ramps do not extend into the water very far.
They are easily damaged by power loading even a modest 17' boat with a 75 hp motor.

And here is my powerloading damaged ramp solution.



https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...ailers-and-towing/10528175-short-ramp-hang-up

 

[poconojoe]

Interesting. Now I see what "power load" is. I have seen a couple people at local lakes that did not back down far enough and then mashed the throttle to ram the boat up on the trailer. I guess that is power load.

My wife and I work as a team to load. I go get trailer and back down and she brings in the boat. I have the trailer about fender deep and she runs the boat to trailer and cuts throttle and raises trim. Boat glides onto trailer and I grab bow and hook it and crank it in. Takes less then a minute to get on trailer. Was taught this method by friends who had decades of experience. Only issue's I have had are when it's very windy and I've have go in the water to straighten the boat and hook it up and pull it on. Of course this wouldn't be possible if you are alone.

It IS possible to use this method when alone. I do the exact thing. Tie boat to dock, get truck, back trailer in, motor the boat toward trailer, cut engine, trim up, coast right up onto the bunks, reach over bow for the loose strap, hook up strap to boat, climb over bow onto trailer frame, crank the winch, hook eye safety chain, climb onto open truck tailgate, hop onto dry pavement, pull her out. No wet feet...ever. no power loading. No help. Done in minutes. 3,000 lb dry weight bow rider. I'm 62, no spring chicken.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I rarely let anyone help me land my boat. I have a system that works perfect for me.

I use a 20ft dock line, knotted every foot or two for grip, with a large carabiner to hook onto the bow eye. Once I back my roller trailer part-way into the lake, I hook my landing rope onto the bow eye. I use it to maneuver the boat into position and then pull it up to the trailer. The overhand knots in the rope do reduce the strength of the line, but it provides tremendous grip for me to give an extra pull on the rope. I then hook the winch strap to the bow eye and unhook my rope. If I need to re-position the boat to pull on straight, I let out the strap and then winch it straight onto the trailer.

When launching, I attach my rope to the bow eye and take of the safety chain. I then wrap the rope around the winch post three times to hold the boat in place. Then I release the winch and unhook from the boweye. I unwrap the rope from the winch post and the boat rolls back into the water and I've got control of it with my rope.

For windy conditions or in rivers with current, I have found that backing my trailer in on an angle can help me get it loaded straight. That way I'm not fighting the wind/current as hard.