Power Loading article

[guy74]

Re: Power Loading article

In all honesty, I never gave this subject much thought. I have always powerloaded, that is how I was taught. Drive into the trailer with the T&T at the top of the trim trim range, let the Boat Buddy lock the boat on, pull the boat out and out of the way so I'm not blocking the ramps, and tie it down. At the lake we go to the ramps are concrete all the way to solid bed rock, everyone powerloads there, with no problems. After reading everyones stories about damaging ramps, if I go anywhere else, I will make sure not to damage "less improved" ramps by powerloading.

 

[tnduc]

Re: Power Loading article

Since I load/unload by myself I've found, through trial and error, that floating the boat on and off is the easiest and just as fast as the guy next to me trying to start his engine to unload or powerloading. To each his own, though.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Power Loading article

I like how the article mentions there is Power Loading, then there is POWER LOADING. I have seen both, and I Power Load.

On whatever ramp I am lauching on, I either have a spotter tell me when the boat floats or I watch myself, the notice where the water line is in relation to my trailer fenders. Make a mental note, and then when retrieving... I put in just slightly deeper.

I idle up if wind and water conditions allow.. if not I may be under a bit mor throttle with the engine trimmed up as high as operable. Then once I am nearing the bunks, I pull off throttle, go to the front of the boat and hook the safety chain in. If water conditions are a bit rough, I may leave it under idle.

Once the chain is connected, I cut the engine, raise the trim the engine up to trailering position, hop over the bow, then winch it the rest of the way in. Which is usually a foot or two.

Then again, I am always in 4 Wheel Drive to pull out because my rear tires are usually at the waterline.

This year, I will be doing it with a new truck, which might affect the trailer angle and how deep I need to go.


I have, on the other hand, seen people hammer their throttle goign to the trailer, and almost run over their winch post, then almost have it at WOT holding it there so they can attach their winch strap. That is really uncalled for IMO.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Power Loading article

if you can idle on you are doing it wrong. not deep enough, longer tongue needed, or different drawbar on hitch. trailer not set up properly.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Power Loading article

if you can idle on you are doing it wrong. not deep enough, longer tongue needed, or different drawbar on hitch. trailer not set up properly.

What? If I can easy my boat on, hook up, wench in a foot or two if not up against the winch post, then hop in the truck and pull out I am doing it wrong.

Are you saying it should take more power? Or that I chouldn;t even have to use my motor.

The ramps I am on have nothing for you to stand near the launch area to use handling ropes.

Deeper? That would just make it easier to idle on... I am deep enough that I can idle on, but that the bunk contact the bottom of the boat and center me without the need to throttle up to come up them.

I can be out of the water in less than a minute if someone else is driving the truck.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Power Loading article

What? If I can easy my boat on, hook up, wench in a foot or two if not up against the winch post, then hop in the truck and pull out I am doing it wrong.

Are you saying it should take more power? Or that I chouldn;t even have to use my motor.

No, it seems Tashasdaddy often forgets to put the 't in can't, so if you aren't used to it, you will be confused.

I didn't take the time to fully read all the posts, but I have heard the argument of concrete ramps not being affected by power loading. Well, that is not the case. My local lake has a 17 foot fluctuation in summer pool, and winter pool. Most of the ramps are made to be useable all year. But, one is long enough to use both during flood stages, and if the lake were to get down to 25 feet low. This is the longest one on the lake. But, even so, peoples powerloading has washed a hole in the dirt right past the ramp. Well, if this ramp is so long, what does that matter? Well, the bottom section of ramp has broken off, and fallen into that hole, making that ramp a lot shorter. This past winter, the lake made it down to 22 feet low because of the drought, and the longest ramp was actually one of the first to close because of this. Luckily, there was a second one that was just barely long enough, but it was within 6 inches of being closed.

That being said, if your trailer is set up right, you can idle to the bow stop, and if you get to those really steep goofy ramps, a winch that is strong enough for your boat is a must.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Power Loading article

Actually, I've found if the trailer is in deep enough so that the boat can bump the stop without really resting on the bunks I'm asking for alignment problems once the trailer starts moving up the ramp.

I usually back in until all but the front 18 inches of bunk is submerged. On my trailers this means the boat will naturally stop moving with the bow about two feet from the winch stop. From there I crank it on which means it actually has to start to climb the bunks to hit the stop. Then when I pull out of the water there's little chance the boat will move to one side or the other as it's already got a lot of its weight aground, so to speak.

I realize that the vast number of differently configured trailers, the infinite condition and grade of ramps, not too mention water levels may not make this approach idea for everyone. But after a few hundred launches and loadings -- it seems the best bet for me and my gear.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Power Loading article

I launch my boat at many different ramps. From lakes in N.E. Pa. to ramps on the Hudson and the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. I have seen quite a few people loading boats many different ways. Making the arguement between floating the boat on the trailer and so called "power-loading" is akin to making the arguement between power boating and sailing. There seem to be a certain few people of each contingent who make the whole group look foolish. There is nothing wrong with power-loading if done the correct way, but people who use it to cover up their own incompetence in loading a boat on a trailer are more able to do a lot of damage. The same goes for floating the boat onto the trailer; done competently it is a quick, safe process. But done poorly, it takes a lot of time and is dangerous for anybody trying to load their boat next to you.

The best anyone can do is recognize the strenths and weaknesses of each method, familiarize themselves with both processes and then competently use the method most suited to the conditions at the time of loading. And let's all lead by example. Remember, people at the ramps are watching you and they will learn from your methods if it appears you know what you are about.
--
Stan

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Power Loading article

...The best anyone can do is recognize the strenths and weaknesses of each method, familiarize themselves with both processes and then competently use the method most suited to the conditions at the time of loading....

Well put!