Trailer guide posts

[opto55]

I am having a hard time putting my boat on the trailer am always crooked. My wife is not strong enough to crank the winch. I am in the boat. I am buying trailer guide posts to help but I need advice to know how deep to back the trailer in the water. How deep should I put the trailer in the water?
Than you.

 

[Watermann]

What type of trailer do you have roller or bunk, size of boat?

 

[SkaterRace]

To add to what watermann said is it a tilt trailer?

 

[fhhuber]

Lets assume an appx 16 to 18 ft fiberglass bass boat.

Very slowly back the trailer and boat into the water.
Note the level of water on the fenders when the back end of the boat JUST gets light.
That is where you want the trailer in the water for putting it on the trailer. Maybe another foot in for launching.

Usually for the bass boat. (from what I have seen).. its just about as the fenders disappear.

But... ramp angle changes that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

usually if you cant get it in straight, you are in the water too deep, or you are not adjusting for current/wind.

to add to fhhuber's comments, my boat is a 24' cuddy. I back into where the aft of the tandem fenders is under water, and the forward edge is 1-1/2" above the water on my boat. I then walk the boat up to the trailer, and winch up the last foot or so. (I do the same with my old roller trailer as I do with my current bunk) However that is boat and trailer and ramp dependent.

 

[fhhuber]

Note... the guide poles are often just reference points to help you find the trailer and line up... Then there's side bunk boards which will actually guide the boat.

My current trailer came with the side bunk boards and they definitely help when putting the boat on the trailer with a stiff wind from the side.

Then there's a technique I learned.. gently nose the boat onto the trailer and don't care if its straight, then crank the steering over to kick the tail end over and straighten it out. Then you can drive the boat on up the trailer.
I've initially been 45 deg to the trailer and not had to back the boat up to get it on.

 

[JASinIL2006]

When I retrieve my boat with someone who can't handle the winching duties, I just float the boat on the trailer as far as possible (without powerloading; our ramps aren't made to withstand that), and then toss a bow line to a helper standing near the truck. The line is just to keep the boat from drifting back away from the trailer. Then I climb over the bow, hook up the pre-loosened winch strap and crank away. I am sure I don't look super-elegant climbing over the bow and onto the trailer (or into the water), but it works.

I second the comments about figuring the optimal depth for retrieving. Being even a foot or two too far down the ramp can make a big difference, especially if you're at a place where you have to fight a current and/or wind.

 

[Grandad]

If you travel about, you'll find there are a lot of different ramp slopes, side wind and wave conditions. Don't cheap out on this investment. I found good strong and long guideposts to be most helpful. I built mine out of 1-1/2" schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe. Having a post that will not allow your boat to be anywhere but centered makes retrieving so simple. I put mine right at the end of the trailer for maximum benefit, positioned only about 1/2" wider than the hull. As I approach, I just concentrate on keeping the bow centered on the trailer. Almost anyone can hook the winch and wind up the slack until it starts to pull the boat's weight and that's all that's needed to keep the keel centered on the trailer until you can scramble out and crank her home. - Grandad

 

[Fed]

I winch mine on dry with the rear trailer roller out of the water so it has no choice but to go on straight.

Most often start with the boat at 90 degrees to the trailer but a power winch soon straightens it up.

Single handed standing in less than a foot of water and pulling a string sure is easy.

 

[adamchesley]

I have a 16' single axle and I have a heck of a time loading my boat as well and it's a roller trailer. And with having a hard time I was thinking about converting it to bunks I heard someone once say that smaller fibreglass boats should be on bunks. Any thoughts please help thanks

 

[fhhuber]

Kind of heading to a new topic.... (so the above and my post might get moved by the mods)

Rollers are fine if you have enough and in the right places.

I'd consider short bunks right at the transom. A few rollers on the keel and maybe a couple more for some added stability about half way up the hull...

The keel and transom are what need to take most of the weight with rollers.

 

[adamchesley]

Thank you and I apologize for mixing two topics

 

[Cat nip]

To keep on topic and answer the original question, back the trailer in the water so the rear of the trailer is in the water about 1 foot deep . That will give plenty of room for the boat to straighten out on its own as you crank it up even if its windy or in a mild current. The roller style guide posts work wonders and allow you to back the trailer in so the top of the posts are just visible and that will make it even easier to crank it on.

 

[opto55]

Thank you to all!