loading your boat alone

[xm sean]

i am new to boating as a matter of fact i do not have one yet. i am a week away. but anyway, when you guys are loading your boat from the water onto the trailer, do you reach and grab the winch strap and hook the boat up? do you jump out of the boat and hook up, or maybe jump out and pull the boat out with the truck then hook up winch? not really sure the procedure there. i can't see jumping into the water and the eyehook is far down so i do not see that. please help the hopeless . i will be doing alot of solo fishing so any help will be great. thanks guys and gals

[flathead266]

If you hook the strap while in the boat, be careful, I got 14 stitches on my face because of it. I always hook up the strap before pulling up the ramp.

[craigaria]

I step onto the tounge of the trailer and then hook up the strap and winch it.

[HydraSport205]

You will get a feel for how far to pull up on the trailer and how deep to pull your trailer in with time. I would not pull it out without the winch attached and pulled tight. If your boat is even 1" back it will not trailer well and put alot of stress on your trailer. I like to manually crank mine the last 6"s or so just because I dont like ramming the bow stop.

[Largemouthlou]

As Chris said you will learn how far to put the trailer in the water, use a fender or step as a marker, when ya reach that spot you know you are in deep enough, then drive her on and I try to touch the stop if posible, Turn off key and trim up, then hand crank the ladt few inches..

Always turn off your trolling motor be for doing anything in the front of the boat!!! Louis

[Rudeman]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Largemouthlou &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As Chris said you will learn how far to put the trailer in the water, use a fender or step as a marker, when ya reach that spot you know you are in deep enough, then drive her on and I try to touch the stop if posible, Turn off key and trim up, then hand crank the ladt few inches..

Always turn off your trolling motor be for doing anything in the front of the boat!!! Louis</TD></TR></TABLE>

Same here but I leave her in gear and idling to keep slight pressure on the bow roller. Like Louis said above...TURN OFF THE TROLLING MOTOR; turn off the toggle switch and set speed to "0" or "OFF".

I step onto the trailer tongue to hook up the strap, crank it tight, then hop back onboard, put her in Neutral, shut her off and trim up. My way takes about 20 seconds longer.

Welcome to BBC.

[xm sean]

loving this website!!! everyone is always willing to help no matter how basic the questions. thanks everyone. great info!!!

[Bingle]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rudeman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Same here but I leave her in gear and idling to keep slight pressure on the bow roller. Like Louis said above...TURN OFF THE TROLLING MOTOR; turn off the toggle switch and set speed to "0" or "OFF".

I step onto the trailer tongue to hook up the strap, crank it tight, then hop back onboard, put her in Neutral, shut her off and trim up. My way takes about 20 seconds longer.

Welcome to BBC.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly the same here!

[GREGVA]

6/23/06

Hi Sean,
I was you a few years ago. I know your asking about loading only, but I do this for both unloading & loading. I have a seperate rope appx 30' length with a snap hook tied on one end. When I unload it I unhook the tie downs & bow strap. Then using the rope I put the snap hook on the bow & tie the other end off to the trailer. I back it in the boat floats off, I pull the trailer up get out of my truck and untie the rope from the trailer pull my boat in and tie it off to something (dock, tree, beach it etc..) Then go park truck & trailer.
When loading I'll come in tie the boat off go get the truck & trailer and back down ramp. Then get out and use the rope to pull it as far as possible on the trailer. Unhook the rope, hook up the strap & wench it in. I have a 18' w/150Hp motor and it takes minimal effort to pull when in the water. After a few times you'll get the hang of it. Hope this helps. Also I can't speak for everyone, but If I'm around the ramp waiting I'm more than happy to help guys unload/load & I'm sure most others will do the same so don't be afraid to ask for help. ...

[nosaj2]

I forgot where I heard this but this is how I load my boat. You need to get the carpet wet on the bunks for the boat to slide on. So back far enough into the water to cover the bunks. Then pull up just far enough so that your side guides are out of the water. This is a good place to start. You can fine tune this to your boat and you will be set.

[Kevin Garceau]

I just bought my first boat, never hand one in the family and only fished on others.
17 foot Phantom with 115 merc - with full roller trailer.

At the dealer we took it for a test drive and watched as the salesman struggled to load it on the trailer by driving it up. I thought oh man....

I took it out this weekend with the wife and friends, they had their own boat. Luckily on saturday the launch was slow so we had some time to mess around and take our time, things went ok. Loading it up was a different scenario... a storm was blowing in and put 3 ft white caps crossways to the boat landing. But I took my time and got to the dock and had the wife hang on as I got the trailer. I had sandals on so I just walked in, hooked up the winch and wheeled it up.

On sunday I had to unload in a hurry as it was packed and the wife and I did great, no issues. She even commented that it was pretty painless.

A few days later I wanted to go fishing and had to do it by myself and it wasnt a big deal just took my time. I still wade in to get it and roll it up, someone told me driving onto a roller trailer can be tricky as there are no guides, just the rollers and a spot in front the v sits into which is about 4 inches wide by 6 long......not a very big target. Im not worried now as its warm, but will have to come up with a system when the water gets cold.

[phil*va]

I must look sill compared to you guys, but here is how I do it, and it works perfect and is FAST (for me)

Now...understand that I am a BIIIGGG man (over 300) and this is easy for me.


1st, I tie the boat off to the dock., go get the trailer and pull out about 4 feet of strap.

Then I back the trailer to the proper depth, drive the boat to the roller, turn everythiing off.

Then I walk up to the deck, flop down on my belly and reach over the side/front and hook up. Then I reach foward and tighten the winch strap.

After that, I stand up, pull up my pants, step over to the dock, get in the truck and pull to the wipedown area.

No wet feet!! and, its really FAST when you get the hang of it.

Putting the boat in the water is simply a reverse of the above.

To make it all go smoothly, you need to determine the proper depth to put the trailer.

[Neilslure]

I have done alot of loading and unloading by myself.

Unloading: Pull off to the side of the parking lot so you are not blocking the ramps. Unhook straps, motor toter, plug in, pump primer bulb, put the key in, get out PFD and hook up kill switch, tie on a rope if docking. I also loosen my winch strap a turn or 2 leaving it attached, make sure winch is in gear too. I back down the ramp and watch for the boat to float up. I get out and climb into the bed of my truck and step onto the tounge. I unhook the winch, give the boat a good shove and jump in. I get on the trolling motor and either tie up to the dock or pull up on the bank depending on where I am at. Park the truck and go fishing.

Loading: When I go to the truck I open the tailgate. This allows me to get a good view of the trailer to make sure it is straight and backed in to the proper depth (so just the tops of side rollers are above the water for me). I back in and go get the boat. I trim my motor up enough so that It doesnt hit the ramp when I drive on. I like to stop a few inches short and finish the job with the winch. I turn off and trim up my motor. I then climb over the bow onto the trailer and attach the hook and winch it on. Pull out, park out of the way and then get ready to hit the road.

[xm sean]

great, great, great info. feeling alot better about an up and comming launch date

[Fatshaft Merc]

All of these methods are very easy once you do it a few times and get YOUR little system down.

The main thing is PUT THE PLUG IN!

Me personally,

Unloading-Boat is ready to back in when I get there.
Drop tailgate and back boat in the water until the back floats a little.
Climb in back of truck, step on tonge and unhook wench
Push boat out a little and get in, start it (electric fuel pump), and pull over to park.
Pull truck up and park.

Loading-Just a reverse of above.
I back trailer down until the fenders are barely under the water.
Drive the boat on until almost to the bow stop.
Kill the motor and trim up.
Step on tonge and wench her up.
Get in truck and pull her up out of the way as to not block the ramp.

Easy and fast. Just a little practice is all it takes.

Which is another reason to go to the lake......to practice.

Good luck and enjoy your new boat...

[LeeinAlabama]

Another tip, the steeper the ramp the less trailer in the water, thus the flatter the ramp the more trailer in the water. The best gauge of this has already been noted by easing back in to the water and just when you see the boat lift (or float) off the trailer stop and note the trailers depth, when you load the boat have the trailer about 2 inches or so out further than when it lifted off the trailer. This will almost allow the boat to align itself on the trailer bunks when loading.

[shutout31]

I installed a Boat Buddy on my trailer this spring and it works GREAT !! For those that don't know what it is, it's a device that replaces your front bow stop. It has a slot in it with a spring loaded pin in the slot. Before you back your trailer in to load, you "(edit)" the pin and as you drive up, the bow eye is guided into the slot and when it makes contact the pin shoots thru thebow eye attaching the boat to the trailer automatically. I fish along quite often and this little thing has been a huge time and effort saver for me. I see quite a few of them on the tourney circuit that I fish.

[xm sean]

any problems with loading if you are maybe to shallow or to deep with the trailer? this strong enough to hold boat down durring travel? when launching just float the boat and then there is a release for the pin?

[Neilslure]

Being too shallow you have to exert more effort either with the motor or winch to get all the way on, also probably not good carpet on your trailer or your hull. Too deep and your boat may sit off center when you pull it out. Also if you gas it too much you will knock the hell out of the bowstop on the trailer.

[rayz379]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Neilslure &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Loading: When I go to the truck I open the tailgate. This allows me to get a good view of the trailer to make sure it is straight and backed in to the proper depth (so just the tops of side rollers are above the water for me). I back in and go get the boat. I trim my motor up enough so that It doesnt hit the ramp when I drive on. I like to stop a few inches short and finish the job with the winch. I turn off and trim up my motor. I then climb over the bow onto the trailer and attach the hook and winch it on. Pull out, park out of the way and then get ready to hit the road.</TD></TR></TABLE>

watch the tailgate down thing on some rigs. I had a buddy back mine on for me one night, he turned a corner getting to the ramp, whammo. Ruined tailgate, latch, handle, & winch on trailer Not all rigs will clear with the gate down