Tired of wet feet at boat launches.

I just installed a Drotto Boat Latch on my trailer and then went give it a test run. Wow it worked first time just like in the video. Just to be sure I unlatched it again and repeated the pick up. It worked perfect again. Linda is so thrilled because now she doesn't have to go fight with the winch or have to worry about slipping on a wet ramp. I am fully satisfied. I installed it in a few minutes and needed no modification to my trailer. It moved my boat back about 2" from the winch.

Previous makes and models used a pin to latch and they worked great until you bent the pin. This latch has no pins to bend. It's very well made and was thought out before manufacturing.

Disclaimer: I have no vested interest in this company but rather sharing this for the benefit of fellow boaters and fishermen.
PPG

See a great video of it in action.
Check out... - Drotto Catch And Release Automatic Boat Latch

Here is the company website.
http://www.drottoproducts.com

I have been thinking about one of those.
Glad your doing the testing for me!


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Gene, I have one that I just haven't gotten around to installing. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to purchase shims to make it fit, but that's not a major problem. I'm just hoping I don't have the boat backed up 2" towards the rear of the trailer, though, because that may take off a little too much tongue weight and cause problems. :dono I guess I could always move the winch stand forward to compensate, and even thought about doing that in order to put the Drotto on, in the first place, so I wouldn't have to do it at a ramp ... which are relatively busy, even through the week, at my local lakes.
I watched several of the videos before purchasing, and immediately realized they used what looks like shallower ramps or higher water levels on the ramp than what we have around here. Maybe not, but it did kinda look that way to me. I have no ramps around here where a boat can simply idle right up to the hitch, most of the time having to "drive" the boat up on the trailer ... due to the angle of the ramps, plus the short guide-ons on my trailer.

On reflection, I may have been better off spending that money on bow steps with hand rail (pole) .... but, that may still end up being the next "addition" to my rig.

One question ... did you get the lock for the Drotto Latch (to keep those pesky thieves from swiping it) ?? I did !!

That's pretty neat little latch for sure! :fish no wet feet is even better!!!
Rick

I've had a Grotto latch for quite some time. Money well spent, very pleased with mine also

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grumpa

I've had a Grotto latch for quite some time. Money well spent, very pleased with mine also

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Does it work where you have to accelerate to put the boat on?
Our ramp angles are all over the place from steep to shallow.


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ps: it's also great for launching by yourself especially if you have a walkway next to the ramp where you can step onto the boat while it's in the water but still on the trailer. That way you don't need a long rope to tie off your boat to the trailer and float it off the trailer. You can get in the boat, start up the motor, and then release the latch using a short small rope, drive off the trailer. The latch releases real easy, no heavy pulling.

Pappy if I were you I'd move the winch stand forward enough to allow you to attach the Drotto then move it back into position and tighten the winch stand in place. The installation is simple and straight forward. You just remove the bow roller then put the Drotto on using the new bolt. In my case my winch stand is welded to the trailer frame. Trailer is custom made for my Stratus. Rather than launch my boat to install it, I tied off the boat by the transom to a post and pull forward on the trailer to slide the boat to the rear a few inches. After the installation I just winched it back up in place.

It works great on those shallow angle ramps where you have to back up you vehicle and have your rear tires in the water. With a two person launch it's perfect. On those launches where you have to drive the boat hard up the trailer it's also great as it self centers the boat to the latch making it fool proof.

I've only used it twice but I see the value in it. Depending on your boat and the launch it can have a safety factor also. If I find any problems with it I will update this post or open another. As for now I'm perfectly satisfied.

I have to give credit to Linda for seeing the ad on TV and then volunteering to buy it for me for her benefit. I didn't buy the lock because I didn't notice that they sold one, but looking back at the web site now I think I will be ordering one.
PPG

Just saw you post Redge. Yes if you have the power to push your boat all the way up it will latch at least mine did without a problem. I put the trailer in exactly like I did before the Drotto and used the motor to push the boat all the way up to the latch and bingo, it was done.
PPG

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Redge

Does it work where you have to accelerate to put the boat on?
Our ramp angles are all over the place from steep to shallow.


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If you have carpeted bunks, spray them with silicone spray after you launch your boat and park.
When ready to recover, your boat will slide on very easily.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by slowhand

If you have carpeted bunks, spray them with silicone spray after you launch your boat and park.
When ready to recover, your boat will slide on very easily.

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that was a first class hint & idea right there! Thanks! :ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp:fish
Rick

The silicone spray works great, almost too good. When I first got my boat I found it hard to winch to the top. The next time I launched it I sprayed the bunks with silicone. It was easy to pull to the top. The next launch was on a long incline ramp. I stopped at the top and undone my rear straps and then my bow winch strap. as I started backing down the ramp, the roughness of the ramp got the boat to moving off the trailer so I sped down the ramp just in time to put the boat in the water.

WARNING: If you spray your bunks with silicone be sure to leave the bow strap attached to the boat until you are in the water.
PPG

Sounds like a great product PPG but will it work for aluminum boats?

After seeing a friend drop his boat on the ramp with frozen bunks.
I never turn my boat loose until she’s over water.


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Dwayne it’s made for a boat with a “V” on the bow.

Ridge before I sprayed the bunks it was solid on the bunks and had to be floated off. No one was more surprised than I that that little spray made the boat just slip off like magic. I never sprayed them again.
PPG


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