Boat Loading and unloading

I'm a realivly new boat owner and have a question since the water is getting much colder.

Is there a way to load the boat without getting in the water? Our trailer has carpet skids and I always have trouble getting the boat on. If I use the motor the boat wants to drift right. If we use the ropes we have to get into the water...not far but probably about a foot deep. On the tries we can drive the boat right on it's usually not perfectly centered on the trailer.

Just wondering since alot of folks I see at the ramps don't seem to have trouble.

I try to get the trailer in the same spot every time so the boat can get all the way on w/o hitting the skids. At the ramp we use the water is just barely up to the cab.

Thanks in advance.. with the colder weather I don't want to get into the water if I can help it.

the first thing to do, if you don't have guides on the back of the trailer, get a pair or make some. they will help guide your boat onto the trailer in the right position so you don't have to back so far into the water.
have them on mine and I only need to get the top of trailer fenders at water level power on hook up and pull out.
hope this helps a little.

If you powerload, it's all a matter of knowing how deep to get your trailer. How deep isn't always the same at every ramp, as the steepness effects how your boat will load. When backing in to off load my boat, I like to take note of when the stern of the boat starts to float. I'll want my trailer just shy of that point when loading the boat. That way your stern isn't floating and able to swing side to side when pulling up the ramp in your truck. At some steeper ramps, to keep the stern from floating, I may have to winch up the last foot or so. I can usually do that by climbing over the bow and standing on the trailer tongue. Also, first back the trailer in far enough to get the bunks completely wet then pull ahead to the right depth for loading.
I also have a pair of oversize hip boots that I can slip on and off easily when I need to get in the water. I fish some electric only lakes, and you can't powerload. Another alternative is the walkway boards they sell for trailers which you clamp to the frame. They allow your to walk out on your trailer frame to hook up the bow eye.
If you are new to trailer boating, just take your time and experiment. Nows a good time of year for that, as I'm sure the boat traffic has let up.

ty for the answers, we're looking at trailer guides. there are some with rollers, or skids, or just poles. Do yall suggest any specific kind? I'd like the ones that are just poles but I don't want to bend them when the boat hits em... Might go with the rollers.

Thoughts?

Ditto what shellback said. If you can get to the ramp when it's not too busy and look how deep your fenders are when you attempt to load. Each boat and each ramp is different. I used side guides on a previous boat with good success. 2 supports and a 4 or 5 foot bunk on either side. 2 short bunks in the middle in the back of the trailer will help center and keep it centered as you load. Be careful of where you buy your parts, some places really gouge you for the stuff. Do some research first, maybe find a boat like yours at a dealer for sale and see how they did it.

I made my guide post out of PVC. Mount a alum. plate (6"x4") to trailer
frame. Use S.S. u-bolts to hold post. 1 1/4" Pvc post,
cap- 10"pipe- 45 deg. elbow- 4"pipe- 45 deg. elbow- 36"pipe- cap

Normally it can't help being centered unless you are too deep. Back all the way in so the bunks are wet, then pullup until about a third of the bunks are in the water. Adjust so you don't have to goose it too much to hit the bow stop. 9 times out of 10, new boaters put too much trailer in the water. The bunks can only guide if the weight of the boat is on them.

is it a fiberglass bass boat or aluminum with a fairly flat bottom? if it is flat it will help to put another set of guide posts farther forward on the trailer. (2 sets total)

bunk board guides and very worth the money, also i have a pair of hip waders that i use.

it's a 1994 Sunbird Stinger. 17.5' long and about 2300lbs or so. The Trailer has carpet skids. If I dont' get the trailer deep enough the boat sticks short and I have to try and winch it up which doesn't work very well so I end up going deeper.

I'm loading at Nivins so it may be the ramp angle maybe?

My goal is to be able to load without getting in the water and learn to do it by myself so I don't have to rely on my lovely bride to go fishing.

I've missed ALOT of fishing because I can't load by myself without getting into the water.
Jer

Guides and practice. Hip waders keep you dry if you have to load by hand. I don't hesitate to put the boots on and get in the water with the boat.

One other thing to consider is to put those slick bunk covers like Glyde Sliks.

They will allow the boat to slide over the bunks with less friction. But take care... you can launch a boat on the ramp if disconnect the winch from the bow eye too soon.:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fishtaco

One other thing to consider is to put those slick bunk covers like Glyde Sliks.

They will allow the boat to slide over the bunks with less friction. But take care... you can launch a boat on the ramp if disconnect the winch from the bow eye too soon.:eek:

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So true:D Glyde sticks are great, but don't disconnect the winch too early. With Glyde sticks, trailer guides and hip boots you should be able to launch/unlaunch any boat.

I too am new at boating, but after taking the boat to the lake a sh!!t load this spring and summer gave me plenty of practice and learning what my boat and trailer like, I have a 17 ft javelin with just two bunks and a roller at the end of the trailer, I just kept experimenting with it at the ramp til I figured what depth the trailer needed to be to launch and load, I found that if i back the trailer in till the tires(single axle) are sticking out of water by about 3-6 inches of water and bunks are 3-4 feet out of water this gives me plenty of dry ramp to launch and load by myself with ease and without ever stepping into the water

But when your new to boating take my advice and be patient and be prepared to have a few guys laugh at ya while your in this learning phase, and when your at the bow gettin ready to step off onto the tongue to finish winching the boat onto the trailer, keep in mind the cables to the trolling motor like to REACH OUT AND GRAB YOUR ANKLES:eek::D luckily I have good balance:cool:

And dont be toooo proud, if you dont know then ask someone who does, theres alot of good folks here and at the ramp that will help ya out:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fishtaco

One other thing to consider is to put those slick bunk covers like Glyde Sliks.

They will allow the boat to slide over the bunks with less friction. But take care... you can launch a boat on the ramp if disconnect the winch from the bow eye too soon.:eek:

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Seen a guy dump his Dad's brand new 24' Sea Chaser onto the ramp one day. . . . and, no, his Dad wasnt there! Imagine explaining that one. . . . . Id stay away from them slicks :rolleyes:

My issues are more loading than unloading ;) to unload we back down into the water, lower the transom, start the motor, unhook, backup about 1' and stop suddenly..boat floats off easy..

You will get good at it. And don't worry about looking stupid. It's a learning thing. We've all been there and done that. Eventually you will be able to get it right up to the winch with very little problem without out having to get wet (most times). We've also probably done something stupid at the ramp at one time or another. I know I have.

Amen

Pomoxis,

My husband and I are taking our loading and launching act on the comedy boat ramp circuit! That is how bad we are at it. People are laughing so hard that they don't even care that we are in their way!

We are new to boating too. My husband says it is now my boat and up to me to learn how to drive it. He has given up. He just goes along for the ride and tells me how to do it! (yeah right)

We have the same issues with loading. It floats to the right so I try to go farther left and it winds up crooked on the trailer. We pull out the trailer and push the boat over by hand. We use the tall PVC guides, but still load it crooked. Maybe we are putting the trailer too deep.

We also have issues putting the boat next to the dock when other boats are around. I am scared I will do the wrong thing and hit someone, so we stay away. Then I don't get to practice so I can get better.

I know it doesn't seem like you are getting better, but it has to get better, doesn't it? That is what I am hoping for. Just find a time of day that few people are using the ramp and practice.
Hang in there, Peke

:D

We've all been there done that pomoxis and peke!... and it does get better!

I personally would change from the pvc guides to the roller or skid guide ons.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, back the trailer all the way into the water to get the bunks completely wet and then pull up so about half the length of your bunks are out of the water. The boat should not still be floating once pulled up onto the trailer, if it is... your trailer is too far into the water/deep.

Also mentioned earlier in this thread are the Glyde Slyks, they really help a lot! I put some on my trailer and don't have to back the trailer near as far into the water to get the boat onto the winch roller.

Yes, your boat shouldn't still be floating once you load. Try not putting your trailer in too deep. On the rare occasion you have a very steep ramp and the stern still floats, have you husband hold a stern line to keep it centered. When docking, try to use the wind to your advantage if possible. When the wind is crosswise to the dock, come in up wind and left the wind push you to the dock. Otherwise, try to come upwind into the dock so you can bump the motor in and out of gear to hold you in position till you get a line on the dock. If you approach down wind, it will just push you past the dock. Most importantly, never hit the dock harder than you can afford the repair. LOL!

YouTube - Docking fail

I think this guy ^^ there is right. It sounds like all you are doing wrong is backing your trailer to far down in the water.

That was a dock hit for sure! I just sort of bump it when the wind is blowing into the dock.

Peke

I looked at your boat pictures, the way i see it , that trailer is not made for that boat. It appears to small , the bunks are to short and no quideons. The front of the trailer does'nt appear to support the front of the boat. What is the weight rateing of the trailer?


Granite

I just got a (new to me) first boat. 18' vee hull. Before using the first time, I bought a set of trailer guide post. Maybe beginners luck, but fiest time I loaded, powered right up and only had to winch about 2" to snug against bow roller. Guides made all the difference in the world. Also makes backing down ramp much easier.

BAITBOY