Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | All good replies so far...but I will add this:
When unloading the boat, back in, hop in the boat and get the motor started. put in forward gear with the motor tilted. This will hold the boat on the trailer better and it cannot take off on you when you unhook your strap. Go back and unhook strap, climb aboard, and put motor in reverse...boat should come off trailer nice and easy...drive boat to a place to park or other side of dock so the next person can unload. Move truck and you are on your way.
Loading is best done with the trailer not as far in the water. I will usually pull some strap out so that I have enough slack to hook up...about 6 cranks out should be enough. Set the crank so that it is ready to crank up the strap. Back the trailer in. Get the rear 8 rollers just under the water. If you have a shorelander trailer, I have found backing in until the front fender step is just barely under water (depending on how steep the ramp is..) is a fairly good guide as well.
set the outboard as best you can at a tilted angle similar to the angle of the trailer. Ease your way on, making sure you have the boat centered as best as you can. Add a tinge of power to get the boat moving up on the trailer. get close to the winch post, but you don't have to be all the way there. As you power on, you may have to tilt the motor down to get better trust...much of that depends on the steepness of the ramp. Leave the motor in gear at a setting high enough to keep the boat stationary, go up to the front, lean over and hook your boat to the strap. Go back and ease off the throttle on the motor and allow the boat to drop back SLOWLY until the winch strap tightens up. Shut down motor and tilt to desired position. Hop out, winch up and you are on your way.
Practicing loading your boat is best done at an empty ramp. Make sure you can do this WELL before attempting to load at a crowded ramp. The quicker you are, the better you look and the less nervous you will be.
Good luck and enjoy the new boat!!
Steve |
