Automatic boat latches?

[RobA]

Is anyone using automatic boat latches?  Drotto?  Ramp-N-Clamp?  I have a Ranger RT178 and fish alone many times.  I'm good with unloading the boat by myself but it looks like an automatic boat latch would make coming off the water easier and maybe safer.

[gim]

They are relatively popular around here in the north but I can't say that I've ever seen one on a bass boat.  I see them on deep V "walleye" boats.  They seem pretty slick, especially if you are solo.

[Choporoz]

I am fairly certain there is a Drotto in my future.  Every week I read someone with my same boat and/or trailer (Lowe-Karavan) raving about how it is the best purchase they made.  

[Jig Man]

When I was thinking about one what I found out was like stated they are best on V hulled boats.  Even the salesman said I wouldn’t be happy with on on my Z20 trailer.

 

That being said, I never hook up the bow strap until I am in the parking lot.  I also unhook it in the parking lot.  I’ve never had a boat slip on the trailer, coming or going.

[Bird]

The only one I'm familiar with is Ramp N Clamp.

I would make a claim that these devices are geared toward the more experienced boater.

Boat must come in perfectly straight and trailer must be positioned almost perfectly for bow clearance.

I've yet to have driven my boat all the way up to the eye, always end up cranking the last little bit.

This wouldn't save me much time because I always err on the side of caution and would not rely on the latch coming up a steep ramp, couldn't do it. Lol

[gim]

6 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

like stated they are best on V hulled boats

I think this is primarily because of the higher sides.  It can be somewhat difficult to reach over the bow and latch the boat on a deep V, especially if you are short or have a limited reach.  On a bass boat, I can't imagine it being as difficult because there are no sides.

[airshot]

Never used one but have observed others on many ocassions.  If you can easily reach iver your bow to attach the winch strap, they might be a waste of money.  But...if you can't reach over and attach the winch, then they look like a good idea.  At 73 yrs old I looked at them closely, but after watching others and considering the price point, my side console is quite easy to reach over and snap the winch strap on. When I step out to drive up the ramp, a couple cranks to tighten the winch and on my way.  Depending on your boat type, ability, etc..your findings may vary......

[WIGuide]

I've got a Drotto and I really like it. In all honesty reaching under and clipping it was never that big of a deal to me, but depending on the landing, sometimes walking up to the font of the boat would make it slide back a little and then you're getting out to crank it back up tight. With the Drotto, drive it up until it clips and get out of the boat, or have your partner pull you out. Living where I do, I see a ton of different landing in a year, some so shallow and flat you have to take your shoes off to get out of the vehicle if launching solo to others that feel like you're backing off a cliff. I haven't run into a situation yet where it didn't work. I highly recommend. 

[RobA]

1 hour ago, WIGuide said:

In all honesty reaching under and clipping it was never that big of a deal to me, but depending on the landing, sometimes walking up to the font of the boat would make it slide back a little....

This is exactly why I was thinking of getting one.  Thanks.

[BigAngus752]

14 minutes ago, RobA said:

This is exactly why I was thinking of getting one.  Thanks.

I've had my RT188 for years.  Can you power load where you fish?  ALL of our lakes allow power loading.  Even the electric-only lakes.  Keep your trailer slightly more out of the water.  I'm talking two more inches of the fenders above water.  It solved that "slipping" issue for me.  I can do jumping jacks up to my winch and not slip off.  If you can't power load you're getting you're feet wet with an RT188 just because of the stupid spare tire. 

[RobA]

@BigAngus752 thanks.  I had wondered if I didn't have the trailer too far in the water (or not far enough).  What you're saying makes sense.  I can power load where I fish.  I'll have to try that on my next outing.

[Woody B]

Every boat is going to load different.  I get out of my boat and stand on the trailer tongue to secure the bow.  It's never tried to slip, and any ramp.  At flatter ramps I get my feet(or boots) wet.   I could see a heavier, slicker, nicer fiberglass boat being harder to load.   

 

The amount of fender sticking out of the water is totally dependent on the slope of the ramp.   Steeper ramps will be different than flatter ramps.  I back the trailer into the water until the entire bunks are submerged, to wet them.  The wet bunks make the boat load easier.  Then I pull forward until 1/2 of the bunks are in the water.  This works at any ramp.  More or less of the bunks may need to be submerged for lighter/heavier/different boats.   

 

With me and my boat it also helps a BUNCH for me to lean toward the center of the boat to better balance it when loading.   

[gim]

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

I back the trailer into the water until the entire bunks are submerged, to wet them.  The wet bunks make the boat load easier. 

^ good advice right here.  I learned this trick a couple years ago after I kept ripping trailer bunk carpet.  Since dunking them entirely before loading, no more rips.

[newbiedmv]

I really considered one for a few years but the physics didn't add up.

I jerry rigged a system for $20.00 that really works great, even on a slick trailer and a waterfall ramp.

I don't have the option for guide bunks at the first 5 feet of the bow so the alignment was always in question.

[Bird]

When I'm Solo it's much easier to step into the water while loading the boat.

It's easier to manipulate the boat with less weight on the bunks.

I center the boat, latch both cables and pull out.

Watch boaters all the time at the ramp climbing over the bow and doing the tight rope walk across the trailer tounge.

I wear knee high waders in the winter and shorts and water shoes the rest.

[gim]

12 minutes ago, Bird said:

Watch boaters all the time at the ramp climbing over the bow and doing the tight rope walk across the trailer tounge.

Ya I see that too.  I usually back my boat in right next to the dock so I can just step onto that.  Pretty much every lake I fish has at least one dock.  Some have more.

[airshot]

7 hours ago, gimruis said:

Ya I see that too.  I usually back my boat in right next to the dock so I can just step onto that.  Pretty much every lake I fish has at least one dock.  Some have more.

Didn't think about ramps that have no dock, all my ramps have docks so after a quick snap of the winch strap, I just step off on the dock !!  Now...if I had to climb over the bow onto the tongue...that might not be so fun,.....

[newbiedmv]

Just a point. We have tons of cliff drop off ramps directly into the main current of the river here with no docks. I have side bunks but depending on the situation the bow can be 1 to 2 feet off or i have to severly shallow load and I'm 3 feet short sliding backward. I have two elastic dock lines on the back cleats with hooks on the top front of the side bunks. I slip it on under power, kill power and it holds. Get out and winch up. Unfortunately i can't beach it and walk it over, it pulls me downstream. I'd get a latch it i did more lake fishing. 

[Fishin Dad]

My last boat was an Alumacraft with roller trailer.  The rollers worked almost too well.  The boat would roll right back into the water.  I would have to leave my big motor pushing while I would run up and hook the boat.  Not safe.  The Drotto was the best purchase I made for that boat.  It made loading and unloading amazing.  I have bunks on the new boat.   I did keep the Drotto when I traded in my last boat, but haven’t put it on yet.  The bunks hold the boat just fine once on the trailer.  

[gim]

What kind of boat do you have now @Fishin Dad?

[Fishin Dad]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

What kind of boat do you have now @Fishin Dad?

Lund pro v bass XS.  

[airshot]

On 4/1/2023 at 9:47 AM, Fishin Dad said:

My last boat was an Alumacraft with roller trailer.  The rollers worked almost too well.  The boat would roll right back into the water.  I would have to leave my big motor pushing while I would run up and hook the boat.  Not safe.  The Drotto was the best purchase I made for that boat.  It made loading and unloading amazing.  I have bunks on the new boat.   I did keep the Drotto when I traded in my last boat, but haven’t put it on yet.  The bunks hold the boat just fine once on the trailer.  

I have a similiar issue with my full roller trailer, after a couple slide backs, I just added some washers to a roller or two, to create some friction.  Problem solved, just enough friction to have to push it off !!  Over the years and many boat trailers later, I always fine tune my trailers to make loading and unloading easier !  At this time in life, I am mostly by myself, so I look for every advantage to make the job easier. My current 16' Sylvan SC can be loaded and unloaded by myself in a matter of minutes, usually quicker than any others at the ramp.  Gotta take the time to solve all the issues!!

[Fishin Dad]

7 hours ago, airshot said:

I have a similiar issue with my full roller trailer, after a couple slide backs, I just added some washers to a roller or two, to create some friction.  Problem solved, just enough friction to have to push it off !!  Over the years and many boat trailers later, I always fine tune my trailers to make loading and unloading easier !  At this time in life, I am mostly by myself, so I look for every advantage to make the job easier. My current 16' Sylvan SC can be loaded and unloaded by myself in a matter of minutes, usually quicker than any others at the ramp.  Gotta take the time to solve all the issues!!

Once I installed the Drotto, using the lever to release the boat made is slide off effortlessly, especially in shallow water ramps.  Driving the boat up and having it latch, made it foolproof and very safe.  That made me love the fact that the rollers were loose and allowed the boat to move so easily.  It would be my first purchase if I had another roller trailer.  My buddy, who has the same current boat and trailer as mine, put his Drotto on it and loves it.   I just don’t see the need for it with the bunks.