Power on/power off or not?

[phoenixisrizen]

I've seen various reactions here on the subject of 'Powering On' or 'Powering Off' the trailer. I was wondering what the general consensus is on this? At my home lake, it seems to be the accepted way. I for one find it quicker and easier, especially if I'm by myself. I really hope I'm not committing a boating taboo! Any thoughts?

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

It's actually one of the nicer ramps I've used. Maybe a little on the steep size, but concrete and goes out into the water plenty far. (It's an Army Corp of Engineers lake and launch and they draw it down every winter.)

 

[ziggy]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

I was wondering what the general consensus is on this?

you know what the consequences is from power loading right?

http://www.boat-ed.com/mn/course/p2-4_trailering.htm

it hoses everyone in the end...

i've personally feel off the end of the ramp. got my shackles behind the drop off at the end of the ramp. i sure was in a bad way and certainly caused me grief...

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

you know what the consequences is from power loading right?

http://www.boat-ed.com/mn/course/p2-4_trailering.htm

it hoses everyone in the end...

i've personally feel off the end of the ramp. got my shackles behind the drop off at the end of the ramp. i sure was in a bad way and certainly caused me grief...

Hmm, never thought of that, very good info. I too have went off of the edges of ramps, but it's always been at one of the rivers in Pittsburgh when that has happened.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

I think too we need to quantify powering on and off.....moving up onto the trailer under power and giving it a little juice to make sure you up on it far enough to not float back down is one thing.....gunning the crap out of it to get the eye all the way up to the winch stand is where things start to get a little crazy.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

Agree with that Mr Wilson, some conditions when it's choppy and bouncing I'll winch it up a bit but I never power it up. I know I'm in the minority, but I float mine to the bunks normally.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

I power on, but the ramp i go to is made for it. and, its a slight power on, at the most maybe a few hundred rpms above idle at that.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

97% of boats in TX power load- if you fall off the end -that your problem

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

97% of boats in TX power load- if you fall off the end -that your problem

yep, its the persons problem, caused by 97% of the boaters who don't realize someone else might need to use the ramp...


There are VERY few ramps where powerloading isn't going to cause damage. (need to have a very, very long submerged pavement)

 

[109jb]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

I have actually been to ramps where signs were posted saying power loading was allowed. That is the only time I would ever think of power loading.

My normal practice for loading is to drive on under idle power with enough forward momentum that the boat slides up the bunks enough to "stick it". I then go to the bow and hook up the strap, climb over the front, and winch up the rest of the way.

To launch, I remove the stern straps and loosen the bow strap about 6 inches. I then back in until I see the boat floating in my mirror. Set the brake, get in the boat, start the motor, loosen the strap more, unhook, back boat out. Easy.

One thing to note for both launching and retrieving is that I have bunk guides. They not only help centering when loading and prevent the boat from swinging when launching.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

I have actually been to ramps where signs were posted saying power loading was allowed. That is the only time I would ever think of power loading.

My normal practice for loading is to drive on under idle power with enough forward momentum that the boat slides up the bunks enough to "stick it". I then go to the bow and hook up the strap, climb over the front, and winch up the rest of the way.

To launch, I remove the stern straps and loosen the bow strap about 6 inches. I then back in until I see the boat floating in my mirror. Set the brake, get in the boat, start the motor, loosen the strap more, unhook, back boat out. Easy.

One thing to note for both launching and retrieving is that I have bunk guides. They not only help centering when loading and prevent the boat from swinging when launching.

That's how I do it too. Always works well for me.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

I have a roller trailer so power loading would never work and would never do it.. I always glide up and then strap and winch up. I have seen plenty of people that are power loading while I am trying to load next to me and it makes it hard. I have seen people many of time leave the boat in gear so they can climb to the bow and strap it down.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

Honestly, it all depends on your rig and the ramp you are using. All ramps are NOT created equal.

Well said.

We have as much as 26 foot tides here and unless you are launching at a 0 tide, which is not advisable, you are nowhere near the bottom of the concrete.

I often launch/retrieve alone and my trailer has bunks with no rollers. I power load/unload all the time.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

Honestly, it all depends on your rig and the ramp you are using. All ramps are NOT created equal.

Exactly. We have a big problem with sand build-up on our ramps. Some get so bad that they need a front loader or dozer to clear the ramps after a storm. Power loading is actually encouraged to help keep the sand under control.

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

Actually when I 'power load', I'm only running enough rpm's to basiclly idle to the trailer and get on the bunks, then just bump the throttle a little to get it to stick to the bunks, and that is usually close enough to leave me just a turn or so on the winch to get it tight.

Although I have seen some people attempt to power load using so much throttle that the bow eye ricochets off the the front beam or with the trailer so far out of the water that the prop hit the cement before the boat gets anywhere near the winch and the bow is pointing at the sky.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

Also, I forgot to add that by that point Im trimmed almost halfway up. So I would think that it really wouldnt wash out the end of the ramp anyways since the prop would push almost upwards away from the lake bottom. i was just thinking about that today.

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

My question on the power load thing is : Why? Seriously. I am looking at the boats in your sigs and avatars, and I see a lot of 20 footers. Not heavy 35 foot cabin crusiers with 4 foot drafts that have trouble getting the trailer deep enough.

My opinion: just back down the ramp far enough to float 18 feet of your boat on, reel out 2 feet of winch rope and crank it on. No drama, no revving up and whooshing water around, and no drama. Wait, maybe that's why some people like the power load. If you do it anywhere in Utah we all think it's your first time at the ramp.

Anyway, that's my worthless opinion.

 

[DJ]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

There is powerloading and then there is POWERLOADING.

Yes, I've seen knuckleheads go WOT to get that last inch on the trailer. If they had backed the trailer in another 6" they wouldn't need to do so.

I do power load. I'm talking about idling on (TILT UP-no ramp wash) and a 2-300 RPM push IF needed-rare.

It's all about knowing your rig.

 

[DJ]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

This subject always reminds me of a funny but sad story.

I once had a drunk POWERLOAD his boat onto my trailer. He then proceeded to yell at my buddy for not pulling him out. I was sitting out in the water, idling around, in total disbelief.

My buddy had to get out of the car and try to convince that numbskull he was in the wrong. What should have taken 30 seconds turned into 30 minutes with the eventual arrest of the drunk. He was HAMMERED.

It was tense for a while but funny, in a sad/scary way, as to how it worked out.

 

[Bluesmobile]

Re: Power on/power off or not?

This subject always reminds me of a funny but sad story.

I once had a drunk POWERLOAD his boat onto my trailer. He then proceeded to yell at my buddy for not pulling him out. I was sitting out in the water, idling around, in total disbelief.

My buddy had to get out of the car and try to convince that numbskull he was in the wrong. What should have taken 30 seconds turned into 30 minutes with the eventual arrest of the drunk. He was HAMMERED.

It was tense for a while but funny, in a sad/scary way, as to how it worked out.

thats actually pretty funny.