Exactly what kind make and model of a boat you got Bear? A long time ago, my first boat was an old cathedral or tri hull design. That joker was a Bear to load any which way you went at it.

The auto locking bow eye sounded like it'd be the end all be all when it hit the market, but quickly faded. Remember stories of them binding and not releasing and having to be cut off. Also of them not locking if the boat was slightly off mark. Think that's why you don't see very many of them at the ramp.

My boat, a 17 ft mod V aluminum is pretty forgiving as far as loading. Too deep and I tend to slam the bow stop, too shallow and my 60 doesn't have enough grunt to snug it up from a stand still. I tend to go a little shallower and snug it with the winch more often than not, but like was mentioned, the sweet spot of depth is the key for most jons, mod v's, and shallow v bass hulls. For me, the best spot is with the tops of the fenders just out of the water, but the tops of the tires just under.

Wannabe...

Never understood why an enterprising high schooler didn't hang out at the ramps on the weekends and pick up extra $ by helping folks load and unload. It'd be a slow start, but once folks got to know a particular kid could handle it, he'd pick up bidness pretty quick. All it'd take is a clean appearance, some energy and a sign that read "Boat Caddie, I work for tips".