Launching secrets
 

OK so I am moving up from a 22' open bow with a roller trailer to a 342 Baja with a bunk style trailer. The old boat I would just drive right up the rollers and pow it was on the trailer.

I am sure that a bunk trailer and 9000 pound boat aren't going to be as easy to load and unload. Any pointers to help keep me from looking like an ass the first time I put the boat in and out of the water? I always hate the people that take forever on the ramp so I am hoping not to become one of those people.

Also any help going through locks? I have never done this either. Guess there is much to learn with the new boat.

Thanks

Re: Launching secrets
 

Well here in Northern Michigan where we have docks that run down into the lakes at all of the ramps, we don't power load or unload.
I just tie the boat to the dock and back the trailer under the boat and hook the front cable and pull out. the boat doesn't touch the bunks until I start up the ramp.
For unloading I just back it in until the boat starts to float, stop, unhook the cable, float the boat back alittle, tie it to the dock and go park the truck & trailer.
Also check and see if you have enough room for your tailgate to open. I open mine before I back down the ramp, it makes for a nice step and I never have to get my feet wet. :D JB

Re: Launching secrets
 

Secret #1, put plug in.

Secret #2, Be sure to disconnet the winch before launching so you don't try to launch the boat, put it in reverse and the boat goes no where, stall a motor because the exhaust is underwater, try to start it again and realize you just hydro-locked the motor! :eek: :eek:

Re: Launching secrets
 

I powerload a 31 on bunks and hae several buddies with 35-40 footers doing the same. The first few times out your gonna take a long time. Try to use the ramp at off-peak times. Eventually you'll learn just how far to put the trailer in the water so that you can drive right up the bow stop. With mine it takes putting the trailer fenders 3-4 inches under water......

Re: Launching secrets
 

Practice, take the time and go to the ramp and practice launching and loading. Mark how deep your trailer needs to be to load, will save alot of frustration later on.

Re: Launching secrets
 

I power load and winch load depending on the ramp. I would sink the trailer more if you are winch loading. FLoat the boat up as far as you can attach the cable and start cranking. After a few times it will be much easier. Power loading I feel doen't require the trailer to be as deep in the water. Just make sure you have plenty of water because the drives will wind up being deeper in the water once the bow goes up on the trailer. Just take it slow the first couple of times. Of course currents and tons of people standing around watching you will not add any pressure or stress :D :D :D

Frank

Re: Launching secrets
 

When you are loading you may want to wet the bunks down, the boat will lide a lot eaiser on wet carpet than dry. Either hose it or dunk it then pull it up the ramp a bit to the right loading position

Re: Launching secrets
 

At a new ramp I back slowly until I see the boat move a little, in my case that is when the trailer fenders are at, or 1-2 " below the water line.

Be sure to take off the back straps before doing this :D

Some ramps are not level below the water line, so you may have to make a couple of tries to get a level spot.

Re: Launching secrets
 

First, I am going to diasagree with Panther on his step 2.

I back the boat into the water first, and then I release the trailer winch. It is highly unlikely that you wil have do to a quick stop while reversing down the ramp, but I don't take that chance. I want the boat releasing from the trailer exactly when I say so. You boat is not a stepped hull, so it is possible for the boat to slide backward. If it ever does, you want it landing in water and not on concrete. I'll back in far enough that the boat is just about to float off the trailer, and then go back and release the winch, jump in the boat, fire the engines, and check guages; make sure bilge pumps don't turn on; then back the trailer down an addional couple feet to float the boat off easily.

Second, launching is the easy part. Retrieving is the harder of the two. This works for my trailer an setup, but could be different for you. When backing in the trailer to retrieve, back it in far enough to get ALL the bunks ALL the way wet, then pull up a bit so you have a bit of the forward bunks exposed above the water line. Then you can either drive the boat forward and land on these exposed bunks, or walk it up with ropes. I then winch it up the rest of the way.

Depending on the condition of the ramps you use, and wind and current, you might can power load. However, its just not my preference.

Re: Launching secrets
 

Totally agree on the front strap and safety chain.



Be careful on going too deep on a new ramp (ask first), some of them drop off suddenly, especially river ramps. I have seen people get their trailer stuck this way.

Re: Launching secrets
 

Use a fork lift!

Re: Launching secrets
 

Very true. I do this by easing back slowly, and watching the fenders. I have dropped a trailer off before; WITH a boat on it, and it SUCKS. Just ease in slowly, and keep your foot on the brake. If you see the forward axle falling off the ramp; stop immediately, and place the tow vehicle in forward and pull forward as the rubber of the tires are still touching the ramp, and before the tires fall off completely landing the rails of the trailer on the end of the ramp.

Re: Launching secrets
 

Very good point with the checking the ramp out first, or asking the condition. Had a bad experience with a buddies boat and his less that capable tow vehicle. He backed the trailer in to far, fell off the ramp, and got the rails to lay flat on the concrete. Needless to say it was a lot of wasted drinking time after we got done boating, lol.

Re: Launching secrets
 

My trailer is a tripple axle all aluminum. It floats. Wasn't looking for that the first time out. I wish it would sink. I think it would make loading easier. I have to put it in the water till it floats then let my wife pull ontill the boat starts to contact the bunks. Then I just have to push the trailer on under the boat. We get along pretty good now. Thought about adding weight but dont want the extra load to haul and who knows how much it would take.

Also agree with Sydwayz. NEVER unhook your winch untill the boat is at the water. I've see too many pics of nice toys sitting on their transom on the ramp.

Happy boating. Jerry.

Re: Launching secrets
 

Defineately get the bunks wet first this helps tremendously!!!!!!!
To load it accurately on the bunks I have to back the trailer way into the water, this seems to be the easiest too.
It takes a few times to get the hang of it but dont be afraid to take your time!!!!

Re: Launching secrets
 

I had a floating trailer too. Do a search here on OSO for how I fixed it. Basically, I bolted 4 - 50 lb. dumbells to the I-beams with U-bolts. Worked perfect. I later rebuilt the bunks and added some weight and was able to take off 2 of the 4 50 lb. dumbells.

Re: Launching secrets
 

It was meant to be a joke.

But yes, I always back down the ramp first. Get the motors running, then release the winch.

Just don't forget to release it when you're ready to dunk it in the rest of the way because you may follow in my foot steps! :eek:

Re: Launching secrets
 

Approach things as fast as you want to hit them.

Re: Launching secrets
 

The ramps that are not level under water are not level because of powerloading. The wash from your prop digs a big hole that will not fill back in naturally. So, unless the ramp you use has concrete going very deep. Don't powerload.

Re: Launching secrets
 

Some people are to lazy to NOT powerload. :rolleyes:
Plus it's hard on there truck, just watch the truck move while someone is powerloading, even with it in park and the parking brake is on. :eek:

Re: Launching secrets
 

I use Liquid Rollers the stuff works great. But NEVER unhook your chains or winch till your boat is floating. When you use liquid rollers make sure you use transum straps.

Re: Launching secrets
 

EXACTLY!!!!!

There WAS a really nice ramp at this really nice Marina around here but the a few yrs back the ramp broke because the material underneath the ramp got washed away from people powerloading and now only bassboats and tin boats can launch there.......you back up and all of a sudden the trailer drops off and grounds out the frame :mad: :mad:

too bad because it had lots of room to turn around......lots of room to park......a nice restaraunt.......fokking pizz me off :mad:

Re: Launching secrets
 

Sorry about the rant but on a lighter note put a set of guide ons on the trailer(best thing I ever did)......bury the fenders in water and you can retrieve it by yourself.......(like someone said earlier launching is the easy part).........and the alignment on the trailer with the guide ons is like Minute Rice.......perfect every time........ :cool:

Re: Launching secrets
 

Secret #1, put plug in.



Some how the simpilest things are the hardest to remember... :rolleyes:

Re: Launching secrets
 

When retrieving :
Do NOT EVER forget your safety chain.
Disregard everyone at the ramp. When you connect the winch-strap you are NOT done. Connect the safety chain. Do it EVERY time, before you start up the ramp. . . . I cannot over-emphasise this point.