Trouble loading onto trailer... looking for ideas?

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Trouble loading onto trailer... looking for ideas?

Another option is a bucket of water over the bunks, if the ramp conditions don't allow you to dunk the bunks.

 

[convergent]

Re: Trouble loading onto trailer... looking for ideas?

Well it finnnnnaaaaallllyyyy stopped raining so I took the new boat out for a second outing. This time it went a lot better than last time. I dunked the bunks to get them wet and then pulled out until they were half out of the water. I idled in and it slid up pretty good on the bunks, and then I bumped the throttle just a tad to stick it. I only had my 14 year old daughter with me and she was a little unsure of how to attached the bow hook from the winch, so I wanted to make sure it stayed put. I ended up about 1.5-2' from the bow stop, so I probably could have gone a little deeper. I will try that next time, but this was WAY better. The new bow stop and safety strap won't be here until next week.

Thanks for all your help in this thread... it made for a lot less stress. Now I just need to learn how to backup better. ;-)

 

[convergent]

Re: Trouble loading onto trailer... looking for ideas?

One more update... got the new bow stop installed and flipped my winch strap to wind from the bottom of the hub and no more problem with the nose of the bow getting hung up on the wrong side. I came in last time and it was a little low but rolled right up on the roller. Before the stop would have twisted around and I would have gotten a scratch. I still haven't found the right spot to back in yet for loading and unloading, but we are getting there. Its actually pretty easy to crank with the winch the last foot now that I'm wetting the bunks first. My 14 year old daughter can crank it! I'm backing in now til the top of the fenders are just at water level, and may be able to go a little deeper.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Trouble loading onto trailer... looking for ideas?

If it's easy to crank the last foot and a half no further experimentation is required. You've discovered the sweet spot my friend. Successful trailer maneuvering? That's another story. You'll have your fourteen year old daughter handling that job for you soon. Good for you taking her along.