Retrieving boat

[kanga2311]

I have a problem aligning my boat while retrieving from a shallow launch ramp. The ramps here in Wisconsin are nice, steep, and I never have a problem with my boat aligning itself on my bunks. However, we vacation in the U.P. of Mich., which has many good lakes, but very poor launch ramps, no docks, very shallow (i.e. less steep) ramps. I have a big problem aligning my boat while at these ramps. It sometimes takes me 4 times to get the boat sitting right. I prefer not to power the boat onto the trailer, just my preference, I use the winch. My question is, should I use side rollers to align the boat? Will this cause problems while towing on freeways, cause damage? Or does anybody else have other ideas on aligning the boat on bunks, or other products that help with this problem? This boat is a 1998 Glastron GS 205 FS.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Retrieving boat

my boat don't always load straight too. i have no side guides. so when loading, whatever side needs to move over, i have a line on the stern cleat and just pull it the direction i need it to move, as i'm loading it.. while the stern is still floating.

after a few retrievals and over time, i can look at how my boats loading and know if it's going on straight by looking at how close the boat is to the trailer fenders. i judge accordingly as to if i need it to move over or not.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Retrieving boat

What I usually do is hook it up front once on the trailer, leaving the rear of the boat unlatched at this point, and put it in the water til the stern floats. Still attatched in the middle up front. It will almost always center itself. You gotta get pretty far in the water, but I dont know of any other way to get it exactly centered.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Retrieving boat

Carpeted boards guide and hold your boat securely in difficult situations and they would be my pick over the other alternatives.

http://www.pacifictrailers.com/boat-trailer-bow-load-guides-guide-ons/

 

[Lrider]

Re: Retrieving boat

I like the guide boards

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Retrieving boat

I have those as well and they are awesome.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Retrieving boat

try not sinking it so deep, if you have a good winch.

No substitute for good help on the dock with a line on the stern and a pole to push it away, though.

Maybe another keel roller further back?

 

[kanga2311]

Re: Retrieving boat

Pitboat, that's exactly how I'm trying to load the boat, in the shallow ramps, but it rarely ever centers itself the first time. Never have a problem on the good, steeper ramps.

As far as the guide boards are, that's one other thing I was thinking of. But I usually only see them on trailers for smaller, aluminum fishing boats. Would those cause any problems for a 2200 lb fiberglass boat? I was thinking it might cause some damage going down freeways at 70 MPH.

 

[convergent]

Re: Retrieving boat

Would those cause any problems for a 2200 lb fiberglass boat? I was thinking it might cause some damage going down freeways at 70 MPH.

I don't think they are actually in contact with the boat once you are loaded... all the ones I've seen are a couple inches off the boat once its on the trailer. So I don't see how it could cause any damage.

Have you tried not going so deep in the water. The condition you are describing is exactly what I was having happen when I first got the boat and was backing in too deep. I now back all the way in to dunk the bunks in water and then pull out quite a bit. Now when I winch it up it has been lined up every time. Maybe with that particular ramp you'll need to winch it further.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Retrieving boat

Look around, lots of people use them, my boat weighs in at 2800 pounds and is not easy to push around in ocean tide waters. the boards center the boat up you still need to make sure the boat centers between the boards, mine are like 2 inches each side

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Retrieving boat

Kanga- I am in the guide- on club. Join today! Especially if you use lots of different ramps around the state. Very, er,,,, variable. I think you will be really happy with the results if you decide to add a pair.

 

[milmat1]

Re: Retrieving boat

I had the same problem at first, But I was backing in way too deep !! Try having about 1/3 of the bunks sticking out of water. Nose the boat up to the bunks and winch it from there....Helped Me !

 

[iBrent]

Re: Retrieving boat

+1 on too deep. I was taught that if the stern is still floating when the bow is at the bow stop then the trailer is too deep. With this in mind my boat always centers itself on the bunks but I winch it about halfway up.

Like previous people said, leave about 1/3 of the bunks out of the water.

 

[shvy]

Re: Retrieving boat

I use to have the side boards on my Trailer and they did some damage so i remove them and looking for somthing better, i to have hard time retrieving by my self.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: Retrieving boat

there are a whole lot of shallow boat ramps in florida and if you put the trailer in about halfway or so, depending on the boat, it will help. in my experience its really all about finding the just right depth to put the trailer in. i have no side bunks and i have no problems getting on straight.

 

[monk-monk]

Re: Retrieving boat

Odd...I posted a thread about a bad boat ramp that i recently encountered and was asking questions about launching and retrieving...the odd thing is that i have no problem at all with shallow water ramps (or ramps with not too steep of an incline) but a steep ramp seems to be a problem for me...I have no sideboards nor do i have the tall arms at the back of the trailer to prevent it from floating to the side before i can retrieve it! Glad this topic is being addressed...and with the help of iboats people im sure to improve my skills launching and retrieving...Thanks!

 

[ExxWhy]

Re: Retrieving boat

I have had a similar problem. Seems like it just takes practice to be able to eyeball using the fenders for reference. I added the pole guides this year, but they don't seem to help lining it up very well. (They bend) I've also tried leaving a third of the bunks out of the water and I plain can't crank it up. I'm no Hercules but not a rabbit wrist either. It get's real tight and just won't go no more, so the trailer has to be in to the top of the bunks. Maybe I'll try the side guides someday.

 

[monk-monk]

Re: Retrieving boat

Same here...if i kept the front bunker up out of the water i would never be able to crank my boat up to the bow stop! When im on a ramp with less incline, i crank my boat up to the bow stop, the bottom arc of the hull is then floating just above the front bunker and really can't escape it because of the sides of the bunker are just high enough to hold it in position. After reviewing what i've said here...i realize how dependant i am on that front bunker to help hold position. I may have to start a new Thread because after reading several posts on this topic i now have new questions!