Trailering

[JamesP]

I have to let you guys know that I love this site. There is a ton of information shared on this site. I have a "green" question for you. As a first boat owner I have the worst time getting the boat on the trailer when its time to pack it up and go home. Any tips? Im guessing the key is getting the trailer the right position in the water (and practice/experience). Ive tried driving it on and all i got out of that was some scratches from the trailer fenders. So to save from that, Im pretty much guiding it and winching it on. I dont really have someone to "show me the ropes" so Im relying on what you guys suggest and I dont want to scratch my boat all to hell before I get it down.

[Chris]

James,

I'm going to move this over to the trailering forum for you.

Do you have a bunk or a roller trailer?

[JamesP]

bunk

[Chris E]

I've always gone with the step on the fender (highest part) almost wet. I do that with bunks and rollers and it works fine. I just set up my dad's boat on a new bunk and it loads and unloads eaiser than the old shorelander roller did.

[daren34]

back the trailer in until the tire is 95% under water
leaving the top out of the water

this should leave the short boards all the way in the water and the long boards 90% in the water
then try to drive on

idle slow up to the trailer and let the boat settle down in then use the motor to go the rest of the way

take a bit of trial and error but you'll get the hang of it

look out the mirror when backing in to see how deep the tires are in the water
so that you can duplicate every time


good luck
daren

[Chris]

Mine is a roller. I usually back up until the tire is almost under and the top of the fender is out. Then I usually guide the boat onto the trailer and carefully winch it up trying to keep it centered on the rollers. Having an extra hand usually helps I find. I never drive mine onto the trailer, I always gently winch. I'm paranoid I suppose!

Once I have the boat winched up, I slowly pull the trailer out and make sure the boat is centered properly on the trailer, if it isn't I back up into the water and give it another go.

I've always found the trick is finding how far to back each trailer into the water. There's almost a sweet spot of sorts. Far enough back that you get the boat partially on the trailer, but not too far back that you're still completely floating. Every ramp is different, but after a while you get to know your trailer and boat and then you just repeat the process each time.

And one other thing I always do is unplug the wiring harness before I back into the water.

[merc245]

Many years ago I was told on a bunk trailer too leave apx. the last 1 to 2 ft of the in side bunks out of the water. This should center the boat enough on the trailer to leave 1 to2 ft of strap to crank up pulling the boat dead center. I drive my starflite on to the trailer, step off step forword to the crank, hook up crank 3 to 4 times then drive off perfect each and sometimes everytime.

[JamesP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">And one other thing I always do is unplug the wiring harness before I back into the water. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

After blowing a few fuses I have learned to do that also.

I guess its good to know im not the only paranoid one. I pretty much just winch it on as well. It just gets a little cold when you do it that way (by yourself) late in the season!

My trailer only has two bunks one on each side. Should I have more? Some of you are talking about multiple bunks. Im not sure what the brand is, it has been repainted.

[Boston Predictor]

Yes. The more bunks the better.
I am beyond paranoid with my boat too http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/sssh.gif
I have a Roadrunner 4 bunk trailer and I can drive it on perfectly as long as there is no wakes. The extra bunks really grab the hull and keep it away fron the sides and fenders.
trailering is always going to be a hassel no matter what, and like everybody's said, the key is to find the sweet spot each time to lessen the probability of damage. I hate to do it alone so I usualy have somebody with me to help out. Good luck with you Checkmate buddie http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/beer1.gif

[175checkmate]

I back the trailer into the water with about 95% of the tire under. Since I have to go and get the trailer the wife holds the boat on shore. I have a long line attached to the front of the boat at bow center. I then push the boat out past the trailer and the pull it on to the trailer, then wench it up. I have had to many scratched sides and things go wrong when driving it on the trailer to do that anymore. I have it easy due to the fact that the boat is light and 16' long.

[Chris]

That's more or less what I do too Gus.

I usually reel off enough of the winch strap so that I can hand it off to the girlfriend who hangs over the bow and attaches it to the boat if I can't reach the bow eye. Then I attempt to get it straight as possible and winch it up.

[JamesP]

Thats pretty much what im doing right now.. So I guess I will continue to do that. My Enticer is 16' as well.. so its easy enough to pull on. Im like you.. im too paranoid of scratching that beautiful metalflake!