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Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Anyone else using a Drotto for launching and loading? I have one on the way so I can launch and load by myself this Fall.
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 shopping.webp (4KB - 148 downloads)
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Posts: 304
| I wont be much help since I do not have one - but I am in the market as well.
For some reason, when I get to deeper launches - the back of my boat floats and the front end tends to drop. And the last time out - this caused my Minnekota to catch and actually break the bracket. So I am hoping maybe this would solve that issue. |
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| jvlast15 - 9/5/2023 2:34 PM
I wont be much help since I do not have one - but I am in the market as well.
For some reason, when I get to deeper launches - the back of my boat floats and the front end tends to drop. And the last time out - this caused my Minnekota to catch and actually break the bracket. So I am hoping maybe this would solve that issue.
Can't help with the Drotto, but with the Minnkota, when Northland Marine put the Ulterra on my Pro V, they told me I needed a quick release bracket that allows you to move the motor back when trailering so it doesn't hit the winch, or anything else when unloading. Without it would be very close every time, with I probably have 4 inches to spare. |
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Posts: 483
| Ihave one and its good but i broke a part of my terrova by not sliding it back once . |
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Location: Vilas | I have one and will never be without one!!! Makes launching and especially loading simple for one person. |
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Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Thanks all, should have mine next week. |
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Location: Vilas | I better add abit of advice.... DO NOT unhook your strap until you are actually ready to hit the drotto lever!! I used to unhook the strap and safety chain and back the boat down.... one of the launch pads on a lake I fish is abit shallower and the wheels dropped of the concrete pad and the whole trailer bounced.... unhooking the Drotto.... boat slid off and away it went!!! Luckily the wind was blowing in the right direction and about 20 minutes later the boat came to shore. |
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Posts: 9
| Love mine. Had to learn to not back in so far then it latched easier. Pair it with dock it launcher. Makes fishing solo so much easier |
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Posts: 19
| Love mine works great |
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Posts: 304
| North of 8 - 9/5/2023 4:08 PM
jvlast15 - 9/5/2023 2:34 PM
I wont be much help since I do not have one - but I am in the market as well.
For some reason, when I get to deeper launches - the back of my boat floats and the front end tends to drop. And the last time out - this caused my Minnekota to catch and actually break the bracket. So I am hoping maybe this would solve that issue.
Can't help with the Drotto, but with the Minnkota, when Northland Marine put the Ulterra on my Pro V, they told me I needed a quick release bracket that allows you to move the motor back when trailering so it doesn't hit the winch, or anything else when unloading. Without it would be very close every time, with I probably have 4 inches to spare.
Hey thanks for the idea! Appreciate that! |
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Posts: 19
| Also a note I did have to lower my winch bracket so the drotto didn't pick the front of my boat off the front of the bunks |
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Posts: 206
| I have used one for over a year now and won't be without one. My friends have purchased them as well after seeing mine. I have an Alumacraft 1850 tiller and found that the boat drives on best with 1 foot of the front bunks above the water. Boat centers and hooks the latch well. If you drive in too deep when launching the bow or possibly the trolling motor will bang the top roller. Drive in just deep enough to float the transom and power off works best. |
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Posts: 187
| Don't have one, no issues launching/loading with a roller trailer by myself. Maybe when I get a bit older, but for now. I don't see the need. |
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Posts: 1296
| BillM - 9/8/2023 2:37 PM
Don't have one, no issues launching/loading with a roller trailer by myself. Maybe when I get a bit older, but for now. I don't see the need.
At 50, I didn't care about having to scramble over the trolling motor when launching and trailering alone. A decade later, it's become a hassle. I'll be installing a Drotto before the season is over. |
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Posts: 187
| TCESOX - 9/8/2023 4:40 PM
BillM - 9/8/2023 2:37 PM
Don't have one, no issues launching/loading with a roller trailer by myself. Maybe when I get a bit older, but for now. I don't see the need.
At 50, I didn't care about having to scramble over the trolling motor when launching and trailering alone. A decade later, it's become a hassle. I'll be installing a Drotto before the season is over.
I just reach over the front, unlatch the winch and the boat rolls into the water. Same when I load, keep on the gas a bit reach over and latch the winch + safety chain. I'm sure there will be a day when my back doesn't want me to do that anymore  |
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Posts: 1296
| BillM - 9/8/2023 5:37 PM
TCESOX - 9/8/2023 4:40 PM
BillM - 9/8/2023 2:37 PM
Don't have one, no issues launching/loading with a roller trailer by myself. Maybe when I get a bit older, but for now. I don't see the need.
At 50, I didn't care about having to scramble over the trolling motor when launching and trailering alone. A decade later, it's become a hassle. I'll be installing a Drotto before the season is over.
I just reach over the front, unlatch the winch and the boat rolls into the water. Same when I load, keep on the gas a bit reach over and latch the winch + safety chain. I'm sure there will be a day when my back doesn't want me to do that anymore : )
That's what I do now, but It's a long reach over the trolling motor, and to hook the strap to the bow eye, is just at the very end of my reach. One of these days, I'm going to provide a good chuckle to onlookers, by falling over the bow, onto the ramp. |
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Posts: 187
| TCESOX - 9/10/2023 1:50 PM
BillM - 9/8/2023 5:37 PM
TCESOX - 9/8/2023 4:40 PM
BillM - 9/8/2023 2:37 PM
Don't have one, no issues launching/loading with a roller trailer by myself. Maybe when I get a bit older, but for now. I don't see the need.
At 50, I didn't care about having to scramble over the trolling motor when launching and trailering alone. A decade later, it's become a hassle. I'll be installing a Drotto before the season is over.
I just reach over the front, unlatch the winch and the boat rolls into the water. Same when I load, keep on the gas a bit reach over and latch the winch + safety chain. I'm sure there will be a day when my back doesn't want me to do that anymore : )
That's what I do now, but It's a long reach over the trolling motor, and to hook the strap to the bow eye, is just at the very end of my reach. One of these days, I'm going to provide a good chuckle to onlookers, by falling over the bow, onto the ramp.
I'm lucky the latch isn't too far down on my Lund Pro Sport. A bigger model like a Tyee, there's no way I'd be doing this. |
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Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | TCESOX - 9/10/2023 12:50 PM
BillM - 9/8/2023 5:37 PM
TCESOX - 9/8/2023 4:40 PM
BillM - 9/8/2023 2:37 PM
Don't have one, no issues launching/loading with a roller trailer by myself. Maybe when I get a bit older, but for now. I don't see the need.
At 50, I didn't care about having to scramble over the trolling motor when launching and trailering alone. A decade later, it's become a hassle. I'll be installing a Drotto before the season is over.
I just reach over the front, unlatch the winch and the boat rolls into the water. Same when I load, keep on the gas a bit reach over and latch the winch + safety chain. I'm sure there will be a day when my back doesn't want me to do that anymore : )
That's what I do now, but It's a long reach over the trolling motor, and to hook the strap to the bow eye, is just at the very end of my reach. One of these days, I'm going to provide a good chuckle to onlookers, by falling over the bow, onto the ramp.
At my age, that's pretty much a 50/50. |
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| I have had one for 4 seasons now and wouldn't be without. I have a bass boat with a hotfoot so I don't have the luxury of keeping throttle on while I walk up and hook up the strap. It would always slide back about a foot. Drotto solved the problem when I'm alone. |
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Posts: 187
| Guest - 9/19/2023 2:28 PM
I have had one for 4 seasons now and wouldn't be without. I have a bass boat with a hotfoot so I don't have the luxury of keeping throttle on while I walk up and hook up the strap. It would always slide back about a foot. Drotto solved the problem when I'm alone.
You're on a bunk trailer though no? No need to hook up before pulling out of the water. |
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Posts: 492
Location: Northern Illinois | BillM - 10/10/2023 2:45 PM
Guest - 9/19/2023 2:28 PM
I have had one for 4 seasons now and wouldn't be without. I have a bass boat with a hotfoot so I don't have the luxury of keeping throttle on while I walk up and hook up the strap. It would always slide back about a foot. Drotto solved the problem when I'm alone.
You're on a bunk trailer though no? No need to hook up before pulling out of the water.
On a heavy glass boat you will have a hard time moving the boat on bunks out of the water. |
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Posts: 19
| BillM - 10/10/2023 2:45 PM
Guest - 9/19/2023 2:28 PM
I have had one for 4 seasons now and wouldn't be without. I have a bass boat with a hotfoot so I don't have the luxury of keeping throttle on while I walk up and hook up the strap. It would always slide back about a foot. Drotto solved the problem when I'm alone.
You're on a bunk trailer though no? No need to hook up before pulling out of the water.
Be careful on this once the temps drop below freezing.....Ask. Me. How. I. Know.  |
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Posts: 535
Location: NW WI | Ummm. Not sure if I should feel smart or stupid for waders being my take out and sometimes launch method. Definitely not convenient, but I'm not much for power loading or dancing on tongues or bows, especially when alone and it'd cold. |
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