Trailering questions
 

For those of ypou that trailer your boat to the launch....

1. What do you dislike about trailering??

2. What do you dislike about the launch site??

I have a few ideas about to improve a few things. Just wanted to know what others thought.

So lets hear both the pros and cons of dropping in at the launch.

Thanks!!

Re: Trailering questions
 

They need a place where you can clean the boat after pulling out, with hose etc. I trailer my boat all the time and I don't mind as long as the docks at the ramp are long enough and the parking in good. They need a seperate area for Jet skis and inexperienced boaters so they don't take so much time on the ramp. :evilb: :drink: I those few thing would happen trailering would be a breeze! :D

Re: Trailering questions
 

i place to clean the boat is a great idea. clean ramps and not f'ed up ramps would also be good.parking is a huge plus.

Re: Trailering questions
 

The best ramps I've been to is Newport Beach CA except it 10 or 15 bucks to launch. It's free in Florida. Most ramps are pretty good here but some are so frequently used that at low tide theres a friggin sandbar right behind the trailer from people "power loading" on the trailer. Labed props don't like this, nor do long trailers that fall into a hole because the ramp isn't long enough. Florida still is a great boating place. I'm gonna buy a dry stack slip soon anyway.

Re: Trailering questions
 

I spend about 135,000 miles a year with a trailer behind me, so I feel naked with out one. More performance boaters seem to have there $hit together then small runabouts, but here are some thoughts.

Before you get in line have your boat ready.

Put plug in.

Unstrap the back.

Put lines on both sides because you never know which side will open up 1st for you to back in.

Look the ramp and driveway over before it's your turn.

Your SETUP while you are still moving forward will make it so much easier when you start backing up, if you can, get the truck and trailer ramp all straight in line before backing up. Never Ever turn around and look out the back window. Always use you mirrors and keep it straight.

The boat launch isn't for practice, find a big parking lot to practice in if you need to.

Turn your blower on just before it's your turn.

Back in until you see the boat start to float, I put my tailgate down before I back in, it's a nice step, unhook the cable or winch strap and float the boat back and tie to the dock

Start the boat and check the gauges. Put drives down.

Go park your rig.

RUN back to your boat. Don't walk if there is someone waiting in line.

If there is no one in front of me when I pull into a launch site I can launch in under 3 minutes from the time I pull in until I'm Idling away from the dock.

My 13 year old son can do it in under 4 min. we take turns and I time him.
He likes to back them in for other people that spend 15 min. and can't get there little 20' in. So say if you think you can go ahead but most say get lost little kid. Then he walks back and says Dad it's my turn today, he just smiles and waves as he backs past them :D JB

PS. Just remember NEVER EVER HOLD THE NEXT GUY UP, if you need to practice, go find a good spot.

Re: Trailering questions
 

Also, when the truck and trailer are straight I put it in 4 low before backing down a wet steep ramp, it seems to help with the braking. Of coarse I do the same for pulling it out.

Re: Trailering questions
 

My tip is to lose the superior attitude and try to help someone out if they don't know what they're doing. You, your wife, your 13 year old - whoever - was not born knowing how to launch a boat. If your offer of help is refused then fine, go on about your business, but if you sit back and congratulate yourself on your boat launching prowess and don't try to help, then you are just another a-hole who makes boating less pleasant. I do agree that preparation before you put it in reverse is key. Unless your boat is ready to move on or off the trailer, you should not be on the ramp.

Re: Trailering questions
 

I'm sorry if I came across that way. I guess it must have something to do with sitting in the lake tonight for 1 hour and 50 minutes while two guys tried to back down the ramp to retrieve there boats, the guy on the port side backed his front right tire up on the dock and smashed his fender into the pole on his brand new Tahoe, then he was stuck because of the off camber, his left front and his right rear tires had no weight on them and they would just spin. He ended up calling a wrecker. The guy next to him was just as bad but didn't wreck anything. Myself or the 25 other boaters waiting in the water couldn't help them unless we were to swim to shore.
But like you agreed with me on the PREPARATION, this means learning to back up before you ever go to the launch.

My point with my son was, if a 13 year old boy with no license yet can do it very easy, then a grown man with a license to drive should be able to do it as well.

Ps. I see you are new to the board, welcome, you should stick around for awhile and see that we are just one big happy family :drink:

Re: Trailering questions
 

JB4Boyne,

Great post I agree with you 100%. People should not be practing at the ramp. I like your son learned to back the trailer in long before I had my liscence.

Re: Trailering questions
 

when I was 13-14 we lived close enough to the ramp to bicycle there and I "taught" people to launch their boats if they got frusturated. The wives always enjoyed a kid showing up their husbands. for some reason now that I an older people just think I am a jackass and not trying to help them.

I went boating a 6 or 7 years ago and the with a school friend, the whole time his dad bragged about how great/fast/perfect of a boat their VIP was, and how they skiied. we get out there I brought a competition slalom ski thinking I may get a little in and they don't even have a rope with a handle, all they do is tubing. When they couldn't even park the boat I was embarrassed to be with them, but just sat there not being rude.

The friends parents dropped me off at home and there sat a ski supreme in the garage, and a 36 cigarette in the backyard. I bet that dad felt like an idiot when he talked to my dad and was told the ski supreme was mine.

grown men need to learn to operate their equipment befor endangering others.

Ernie

Re: Trailering questions
 

Thats a funny but so very very true story!! After living, boating, and working around the boats in the SF bay area growing up (Alameda) I saw lots of this. ... although my story didn't include a 36' cig at the house, just an 18' flat bottom jet boat with access to others at work. ... great story!

Re: Trailering questions
 

I've always trailered my boat. About the only thing that gets my blood boiling is the idiot who either launching or retrieving, stops on the ramp to get all his little details worked out. For christ's sake, move your rig out of the way to do this stuff and keep things moving smoothly.

More than once I've come close to a fight on a ramp because of some dickhead who doesn't know any better. Six boats waiting to launch and Bubba has to put his fenders away, put his lines away, offload everything off the boat, these morons just drive me up a wall....:mad: :mad:

Re: Trailering questions
 

When returning I usually leave my boat at the side/access piers, dunk my trailer then bring the boat to the trailer. Last year at a ramp for 6 that had 3 REALLY wide gaps between 3 piers I kept trying to back into the eater and idiots would pull there baot in and tie up just as I started backing in. Twice I pulled up and re-positioned for the next ramp. The third time it happened (this hasd gone on for 10 minutes) I pulled up a little and backed right down the middle BETWEEN the 2 boats tied to each dock. Proceeded to retrieve the boat as everyone gave me dirty looks. The dock cop that hangs out there had a few words to say but I pointed out that I was already pulling the boat out of the water and the 2 boats still didn't even have trailers here yet. Call me an azz but don't pull up to the dock as a trailer is backing down in the water.

Re: Trailering questions
 

For the question:
I wish boat dealers would teach people how to prep a boat and launch/retrieve it. The "idiots" at the ramp usually are out 3-4 times a year and no-one has every taught them anything.
I don't like cheesy ramps with limited access piers. (we don't use them anymore)
I dislike that I'm anal and must clean/wipe the whole boat down before I leave the parking lot.

SUGGESTION! I bring a bucket, spray cleaner, brush on a handle, chamois rag, and 2 gallon milk jugs full of water. I pour one gallon into the bucket and "wash" the sides of the boat while my wife puts everything on the swim platform and wipes down the interior. I use the 2nd gallon as a rinse and then dry the hull before we pull away. Takes 15-20 minutes but the boat is clean and DRY by the time we get home.

The things I like about trailering it......I tow it home and store it INDOORS!!!! Stays much much cleaner that way!!!

Re: Trailering questions
 

In Port Canaveral, Fl (near Cocoa Beach) the ramps are
beside a bar and they have Sunday afternoon 'ramp
follies'. If you make a mistake the bar patrons point,
laugh, and cheer. :eek:

There is a staging area before you get to the ramp so you
better plan ahead or you will inadvertly participate in 'Ramp Follies'. :cool:

There is a wash down area, bring your own hose!

The ramp next to the tiki bar has a hole there so don't
go there! :D I used to back the 302 Scarab trailer down,
never had a incident.

Yeah, don't tie you boat to the dock in the way !
I agree with that one!

Re: Trailering questions
 

I have launched and retrieved small boats for years, but now I have a 357 Formula. Launching is no problem, but retrieving is a bit of a ***** right now. I am on the lake with steep ramps. If I hook the bow of the boat the wind and waves generally put the stern off the centerline. I am looking at modifing the trailer to help. Any suggestions? BTW we always have the boat ready to go before ever pulling on the ramp.

Re: Trailering questions
 

Answer to question 1: I dislike it because my trailer is a POS!
Answer to question 2: There are people at the launchsite.......period!!!

Prater: Get some guide ons. That's what I did. It helps big time. I come into that trailer cockeyed all the time and straighten it out while halfway in the trailer, I don't have forward bunks, just that lame 'V' bar and I'm a single engine as well. Sometimes the conditions won't allow for a straight hit. It's a little tough sometimes because hydraulic steering doesn't work too well at idle. I also wax the bunks I do have with Lemon Pledge furninture polish. It helps the boat get all the way up there, especially if I can't sink the traiiler as much, but if you ever wax the bunks, never ever under any circumstances disconnect the strap first and then back down! Wait until the trailer is in the water where you want it, then disconnect the strap. The boat will slide off.

Re: Trailering questions
 

Gregg,

Which guide ons did you use? Have a Pic?

Re: Trailering questions
 

i HATE people that load and /or unload while on the launch ramp. I have a mental check list that I perform BEFORE getting into the launch line. I do the list in reverse only after retrieval and moving as far out of the way as possible.

Re: Trailering questions
 

we are 43' and the most important part for me is the dock, some are so short if there is any wind it can be a b*tch plus you have to climb on the bow to get on.

Most of the launches we go to have big parking lots but what gets me is a lot of them say no overnight parking. Since we are talking Lake Erie that's silly since so many people take weekend trips. Plus The lots are never full or even close to being full. I am not looking for a free ride, we can pay the daily fee x's how many days we are there. Each time we launch in Monroe MI, it's a huge hassle because we have to go across the channel to our boat club, dock the boat and walk back about a mile and a half to get the truck to park in their lot. Of course this would be easier if I could drive the truck and trailer, but since the first trailer we ever had was for a 40' boat this is not something that I am comfortable learning on, and of course docking the boat myself is not an option either :(

Re: Trailering questions
 

Ample truck/trailer parking is my biggest concern. I hate seeing the deep parking spots meant for boat trailers taken up by some punk in a car. I dont care much for those who park their boat in the way of a launch and sit for 20 minutes waiting for some fat women to make it down the ramp either.....this happens more and more to me.

Re: Trailering questions
 

Just the basic PVC type......about 100 for the pair and they're stronger then one might think.

Re: Trailering questions
 

Last weekend we were pulling our 38' out at the New Buffalo ramps. The ramps there are very short. I docked and tied up to one (of 6). There was a jet ski using one of the other ramps, so that leaves 4 available. My wife watched the boat while I ran to the truck. I backed the trailer into another open ramp. (Still 3 available) Before I could jump into the boat to drive it onto the trailer, a lady aproached my wife about her son who was broken down on Lake Michigan. Then this older guy comes rolling in to the docks on his 18' I/O and very rudely says "How many ramps you need to get that boat out?" I politely asked him how many he needed. (As there were three available) We ended up getting the Coast Guard on the radio and verified that they had the lady's kid boat in tow. :D

Longer docks would be nice!