best way to load a boat solo

[TheBear]

I have always found it interesting to watch people load their boats by themselves. Seen some pretty crazy stuff over the years.

Seems like I have always had a buddy with me to help out. With getting more interested in crappie fishing, I think I will be going solo a lot more. What are your proven methods for loading a boat by yourself? I have done it before, but would be interested in knowing a better method.

[majflyboy]

Bear, my boat is smaller than yours but I think the principle would be the same. For unloading, after unhooking the transom straps and the winch strap. I have a rope tied to the bow (20' long) and simply loop the other end over the whatever you call it that you use to crank down the little wheel when you unhook the boat at home. For loading, just back the trailer to a predetermined angle in the water & drive it on. Hopefully you can position the trailer close enough to the pier (if the ramp has one) so that you can step onto it rather that having to jump off the bow. Hope this helps.

[camo john]

if you can't load a boat by yourself then you need to stay at home http://www.crappie.com/crappie/images/icons/icon10.gif

[TheBear]

if you can't load a boat by yourself then you need to stay at home http://www.crappie.com/crappie/images/icons/icon10.gif

Agree.

I have always driven my boat up on the trailer. When my bow eye hits the roller I get up on deck and hook up while motor is running in gear holding me there. I just think that there must be a better way. I have seen the auto locking deals, but don't know much about them.

[tritonman]

i had a boat dealer tell me that the auto locking deals were not that great. As far as loading and unloading it is pretty much like the Maj said. That is what I usually try and do.

[Jeepster04]

Bear I always back the boat down just far enough for the back of the boat to float. Then I roll back another foot or so. It really all depends on the angle of the ramp. Otherwise, I see alot of people who will tie a long rope on the front boat hook and then tie the other end to the vehicle. Back the boat down till it launches itself. Then pull the vehicle up a little and get out and untie from the truck and pull boat to you. Hope this helps some.

[Minnerman]

Get a runnin go and when she hits home get out like nuthin ever happened and hook the winch and drive off.

Now fer the serious answer. I have an imaginary mark on my fenders of my trailer where I want the water to be everytime I load. This mark causes some wear on my bunks, but at least I aint the yahoo thats backin of the trailer 2 or three times. By backing to this mark, I normally have dry ground to climb out onto. If the ramp is too flat, I just climb onto the trailer and hook the winch and cranker up tite and then walk the trailer to the bumper of my truck and ease around to the side of the truck and try not to get my feets wet. But then again like Camo John said, if a feller cant load his boat he ought to stay at home or go to the ramp about 10:00am and practice instead of waiting til everybody else is comin in.just my 2 sense worth. (That was a DD term)

[duckkiller]

Every trailer has its own sweet spot, you jsut have to find it. For me its where the lights on the fender are right at the water line. I then drive it on, cut off motor and trim up. then hook winch strap, get out boat and pull truck and boat out.


Now for unloading its simple, hook rope to bow eye and othe end to trailer and back down ramp till boat floats off. Then get out and unhook rope from trailer, pull it over to peir or beach it out of everyone else's way go park truck return and head out.




What ever you do please please please PLEASE get your stuff ready before you pull down the ramp, ( un hooking boat straps rigging poles etc...) this allows a fast and friendly launch for everyone. Sorry to rant but it just urkes me to high heaven when people do this

[TheBear]

Every trailer has its own sweet spot, you jsut have to find it. For me its where the lights on the fender are right at the water line. I then drive it on, cut off motor and trim up. then hook winch strap, get out boat and pull truck and boat out.


Now for unloading its simple, hook rope to bow eye and othe end to trailer and back down ramp till boat floats off. Then get out and unhook rope from trailer, pull it over to peir or beach it out of everyone else's way go park truck return and head out.




What ever you do please please please PLEASE get your stuff ready before you pull down the ramp, ( un hooking boat straps rigging poles etc...) this allows a fast and friendly launch for everyone. Sorry to rant but it just urkes me to high heaven when people do this

My problem is, my boat will not stay at the roller if I shut the motor down. This isn't the safest way to do it so I need to change. I'm not backed in to far. Might have a problem with my trailer bunks. They may have become to slick or worn. I would love to pull up and shut down, hook and go. I guess I should start there.

Having fished bass tournys for years, I certianly appriciate proper ramp protocal. Nothing worse than somebody holding up the ramp having no consideration of others.

[duckkiller]

do you have rollers or bunks on your trailer? Try pulling the trailer up a bit more, I just dont see where you should have to leave in gear but I may be wrong (it has happened once or twice before:D). Just saying I have 3 diff boats and never had that prob unless I was backed to far in the water to start with.