Launching and Retrieving

[Zeeter]

I know "how" to maneuver the trailer and can back up perfectly into a boat width sized parking space at WalMart. Yet when I get to the ramp it's just chaos! I over compensate, under compensate and all sorts of things. Of course, at Walmart I don't have 12 other boaters waiting for me to park so that they can do the same things.

 

Alas, this is just a rant. I understand the principles of backing up. Could be the physics of going down a ramp as opposed to a flat parking spot as I'm always straight until I hit the angle of the ramp. Could be nerves. I use my side mirrors and also my backup camera, but it generally takes me 4 times to get lined up in a way that I can launch, and even then I'm still way crooked. Maybe I could try pulling up the tonneau cover and opening the tailgate so I can turn and see it better. 

 

Retrieving the boat only takes me two times - I think I have the boat lined up straight and then something pushes me off - again, probably me overcompensating. 

 

Did everyone go through this when they first started or am I just a bad trailer-backer-upper? 

 

On a more serious note, I have a two inch drop on my tow receiver. Is that pretty standard or do some folks have straight receivers? The trailer dips in the front. It's not a safety factor, but I'm wondering if having a trailer that is not level is giving me some trouble. It just feels like I am not in control sometimes when backing up.

[riverbasser]

practice, practice, practice.   don't worry about the other guys waiting just do your thing

[Zeeter]

7 minutes ago, riverbasser said:

practice, practice, practice.   don't worry about the other guys waiting just do your thing

 

When I launched at 10:00 everyone was nice and chuckled when I messed up after telling them I'm new at this. When I was retrieving these two guys would have none of that. They were kind of d!cks.

[A-Jay]

Post a pic of your trailer hitch with the boat on it.  The trailer will usually handle best if the trailer is 'level' on the hitch; provided the boat is loaded evenly and or not over loaded.

 As for getting comfortable going on & off the boat ramp, I'd recommend going to a place and at a time where you can make several approaches for practice without holding up other ramp users.

 Might mean going to a place super early or at a different off peak user ramp time.  Also make this a priority and do it without your fishing gear.  Go just to get this right.   You'll be glad you did.  You'll get it.  

btw, besides on & off the trailer evolutions, actual boat handling is also a skill that is learned with practice & over time.  You may want to address that as well, I mean before your first crash.    Tip, only go as fast as you want to hit something . . . .and power never saves. 

A-Jay

[Zeeter]

Yep - that's why we launched at 10:00 rather than earlier. Didn't want to hold up the more serious anglers. 

I'm sure it will come as second nature eventually. I'm just wondering if this is something we call go through or if it's just me. 

 

My first boat, about 12 years ago, I had no real trouble with after the first time. I could launch it by myself in about a minute or so. I'm really starting to think that it's because I'm relying too much on my mirrors and not turning around to see the boat.

[PECo]

By "more serious anglers", did you really mean "dicks"? 

 

Like riverbasser said, take your time and don't worry about everybody else. Especially the dicks. 

[Jm526]

Get the boat straight then put it in neutral. The boat will pull the truck straight down the ramp. Also practice, practice and a little more practice helps a lot. 

[Zeeter]

3 minutes ago, Jm526 said:

Get the boat straight then put it in neutral. The boat will pull the truck straight down the ramp. Also practice, practice and a little more practice helps a lot. 

 

Hmm...never thought of that.

 

Also need to check one of my trailer tires. It could be a little low, which may be a reason for some drifting when I think I'm going straight.

[Scott F]

Do yourself a favor. Either turn your head around to look at the trailer when backing OR use the mirrors. Trying to use both will confuse the heck out of you. Pick one and stay with it. Don't switch back and forth. 

[Zeeter]

9 minutes ago, PECo said:

By "more serious anglers", did you really mean "dicks"? 

 

Like riverbasser said, take your time and don't worry about everybody else. Especially the dicks. 

 

Not really. My son wanted to go out at 6:30 or so, but I didn't want to hold up the launch ramp for tournament fishermen. These guys are fishing with a purpose and don't need to be held up by some yahoo trying to launch his boat at a 35 degree angle.

The d!cks were later when I was retrieving. It was around 5:00 or so. They didn't say anything, but they weren't happy. After the delay I looked at them, smiled, and said sorry - I'm kind of new at this. They didn't even look at me but their faces more or less said, "f-you." Now I don't mind holding them up so much.

[Glenn]

9 minutes ago, Jm526 said:

Get the boat straight then put it in neutral. The boat will pull the truck straight down the ramp. Also practice, practice and a little more practice helps a lot.

 

^^ This ^^  putting it into neutral is a big help (I even mention it in the video below).  Also, usually ramps have paint stripes in front of the ramp that shows the edges of the ramp. So while you're looking in your mirrors, align your trailer with those lines as you begin backing. You'll be tracking straight before you even hit the ramp.

 

Here's more tips:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Zeeter]

2 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Do yourself a favor. Either turn your head around to look at the trailer when backing OR use the mirrors. Trying to use both will confuse the heck out of you. Pick one and stay with it. Don't switch back and forth. 

 

I'll turn my head next time. Right now I'm using the side mirrors and the backup camera and yes - it can be disorienting when switching.

[Zeeter]

7 minutes ago, Glenn said:

 

^^ This ^^  putting it into neutral is a big help (I even mention it in the video below).  Also, usually ramps have paint stripes in front of the ramp that shows the edges of the ramp. So while you're looking in your mirrors, align your trailer with those lines as you begin backing. You'll be tracking straight before you even hit the ramp.

 

Here's more tips:

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the first video you're saying DON'T turn around and to use mostly my driver-side mirror, checking the passenger side periodically for safety. I was planning on only turning around next time and not using the mirrors at all, but now after looking at this I'm rethinking it. Though it is what I had mostly been doing - looking at the driver side mirror and keeping the boat wheel in the same spot.

 

Neutral seems to be the key, here. I'll try that next time along with the side mirror. Plus the aforementioned trailer tire that might be low and pushing me off to the right.

[Dwight Hottle]

A few suggestions. Take a deep breath before launching & try to relax. Pull forward far enough that the trailer is straight behind you & linedup with the ramp. Learn to back up JUST using your mirrors & go slow until you get comfortable with backing. You will be a pro in short order. 

[12poundbass]

You're not the only one. I have this launch I frequent quite often. Basically its a 10-12' with path cut through thick stuff. I have to back my boat down it about 150' hardly any room for error. Most times no issue other days I have to straighten out a couple times. Then there's another launch where its wide open....I have more problem with that one than the long narrow trail! 

   People watching you will psych you out and make you do all sorts of crazy things. 

   One tip I learned to help with the steering part if that's an issue, put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and the way you move your hand will be the way the boat moves instead of the opposite way when you hold the steering wheel up top.

  Also slow and steady wins the race! If you take your time you're more likely to go faster and make less mistakes.

[YUT18]

The best advise I could offer, in addition to what has already been stated, is look over your shoulder and physically watch what is going on behind you until you get the hang of it.  Once you feel as though you are mastering loading/unloading then start using your mirrors.  When I first started out I couldn't for the life of me use my mirrors.  I would be all jacked up if I tried to back up without looking over my shoulder.  One major thing you need to learn is the pivot point of your trailer.  Some turn on a dime and others have a longer turn radius.  By learning the pivot point it will help you with the over/under compensation. 

In regards to hitch receiver, I would make sure that the trailer, when hooked up, is as straight as possible.  This will help out with maneuverability and safe trailering.

[Jm526]

2 hours ago, Glenn said:

 

^^ This ^^  putting it into neutral is a big help (I even mention it in the video below).  Also, usually ramps have paint stripes in front of the ramp that shows the edges of the ramp. So while you're looking in your mirrors, align your trailer with those lines as you begin backing. You'll be tracking straight before you even hit the ramp.

 

Here's more tips:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup you are the one who taught me about that. 

[Zeeter]

2 hours ago, YUT18 said:

The best advise I could offer, in addition to what has already been stated, is look over your shoulder and physically watch what is going on behind you until you get the hang of it.  Once you feel as though you are mastering loading/unloading then start using your mirrors.  When I first started out I couldn't for the life of me use my mirrors.  I would be all jacked up if I tried to back up without looking over my shoulder.  One major thing you need to learn is the pivot point of your trailer.  Some turn on a dime and others have a longer turn radius.  By learning the pivot point it will help you with the over/under compensation. 

In regards to hitch receiver, I would make sure that the trailer, when hooked up, is as straight as possible.  This will help out with maneuverability and safe trailering.

 

So don't use the mirrors right off. I seem to recall having better luck in the past when I turned and looked rather than using the mirrors.

 

[tracker01]

Learn with mirrors. Someday a friend with a van will ask you to back him in. I used to turn around then I got determined to back up with mirrors. The only way you will get comfortable with it is to just do it. 

[RoLo]

Before backing down, be sure that your trailer and tow car are in parallel alignment (that'll reduce overcompensation)

Using 'only' your mirrors, strive to keep the same amount of trailer fender visible in each mirror.

When either fender swings out of sight, turn your wheel slowly and wait patiently for the fender to reappear.

Impatience is the cause of overcompensation, when we over-crank to hurry up and see the fender again.

 

Roger

 

[fishnkamp]

Hi Zeeter,   Where were you trying to launch at?  There are some tricky ramps around here. The ramp at Wilson Point is one of them, since the right hand ramp has a turn of he sidewalk half way back into the lane. The left one is better since it is a straight.  Both have plenty of room to leave the prep area swing forward till your trailer is straight and then back down to the ramp.

If you use the ramp at Mariner Point make sure you pull up and straiten out before you try to go backwards.

If you are off loading up by the flats try Anchor Marine. They have a large prep area and lots of room to swing around then back up.  If you would like some personal help, I would be happy to help you do some launching up at Mariner Point Landing.  That is a county launch onto the Gunpowder River located near the Baltimore/Harford County line. It is located behind the shopping center with the Amish Flea Market and the Wendy's in it. I believe that is Joppa Farm Road.   We could meet up there during the week, which will definitely be less busy. It has about 4 ramps so we would not need to hold anyone up. During the week Wilson Point near Martin State Airport or better yet  Dundee Marine is always empty during the week..Dunde would cost you around $10 but thew others are free.

If you are interested just let me know.  Do me a favor post a pic of your boat and trailer from the side and rear, there may be some things tricks to make it easier to launch, these are mods to do to your trailer.

[Zeeter]

6 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Hi Zeeter,   Where were you trying to launch at?  There are some tricky ramps around here. The ramp at Wilson Point is one of them, since the right hand ramp has a turn of he sidewalk half way back into the lane. The left one is better since it is a straight.  Both have plenty of room to leave the prep area swing forward till your trailer is straight and then back down to the ramp.

If you use the ramp at Mariner Point make sure you pull up and straiten out before you try to go backwards.

If you are off loading up by the flats try Anchor Marine. They have a large prep area and lots of room to swing around then back up.  If you would like some personal help, I would be happy to help you do some launching up at Mariner Point Landing.  That is a county launch onto the Gunpowder River located near the Baltimore/Harford County line. It is located behind the shopping center with the Amish Flea Market and the Wendy's in it. I believe that is Joppa Farm Road.   We could meet up there during the week, which will definitely be less busy. It has about 4 ramps so we would not need to hold anyone up. During the week Wilson Point near Martin State Airport or better yet  Dundee Marine is always empty during the week..Dunde would cost you around $10 but thew others are free.

If you are interested just let me know.  Do me a favor post a pic of your boat and trailer from the side and rear, there may be some things tricks to make it easier to launch, these are mods to do to your trailer.

 

I was going out of Tydings. I've helped launch another boat out of there. When we got back later I asked if he wanted me to bring his trailer down. He said no, because I kind of suck at it. But he said it in a nice way. Trouble with this guy's tow vehicle was that it has a very sensitive turn radius and I overcompensated. He did let me back it down from the ready position last week and I did ok. Then he let me do the whole thing on retrieval and I did alright there, too. Not perfect, but ok. Guess it takes some getting used to.

 

With my boat I really think a big part of the problem is that one tire pulling me off to the left. I know which way I'm supposed to turn to correct but in the heat of it I turn the wrong way and all hell breaks loose. This will just take more practice. 

[MickD]

Regarding height of the tongue, if the ball bayonet is offset by about 2 inches, most can be turned over (reverse the ball) and now it will be 4 inches higher.  More offset may get it too high.

[gim]

4 hours ago, tracker01 said:

Learn with mirrors. Someday a friend with a van will ask you to back him in. I used to turn around then I got determined to back up with mirrors. The only way you will get comfortable with it is to just do it. 

 

I disagree with this suggestion.  As someone has already mentioned, if you've been looking back and then using the mirrors and then looking back, its going to screw you up.  Stick with one of them and learn that route.  I always learned looking back so I don't really use my mirrors.  If someone is dumb enough to launch a boat with a minivan and you can't look back they should be at soccer practice anyways.

 

You may think some of these other guys at the launch site are di**s and impatient, but put yourself in their shoes.  No one likes waiting a long time for some yahoo to load/unload when there's only one access.  If you need to practice, go when no one else is there.  Put the tail gate down if you need to for better visual reference as you back down the ramp.

[Zeeter]

7 minutes ago, gimruis said:

You may think some of these other guys at the launch site are di**s and impatient, but put yourself in their shoes.  No one likes waiting a long time for some yahoo to load/unload when there's only one access.  If you need to practice, go when no one else is there.  Put the tail gate down if you need to for better visual reference as you back down the ramp.

 

This is why I practice in a walmart parking lot and also why I launch after the morning rush. No matter what there's going to be some DBs out there who are impatient. They need to deal with it. If I was trying to launch while other boats were waiting on me to start their tournament that would be a completely different scenario and I'd be the yahoo. This is not the case. Some guy giving me dirty looks when I'm just trying to learn during non-peak hours is the jack-off in this case.