Question Out Placing/taking Boat From Water

[BassinNCstyle]

Hello all

I just bought my first boat trailer combo. One main thing I know I will have to work on is placing and removing boat from water. Got a couple questions.

When placing do I leave alot of slack on rope from trailer?

Can someone give me a step by step when taking boat out water?

When I take rubber cap off one end of tire axil grease/oil comes pouring out, but other one doesn't. Does this mean the one with oil has a leaking seal?

I know these are rookie question, but I'm a rookie boater. Thanks

[Glenn]

What kind of bunks do you have? Are they roller or flat, carpeted boards? Here are some boating tips, including launching and loading your boat: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/boating.html

As for the leaking grease and oil - yes, you have a bad seal. You need to replace it asap before you do anything else. Be sure to replace it with whatever you have now. You may or may not have a Bearing Buddy. You can tell by looking at the center of the hub. If there's a grease fitting, you have a Bearing Buddy.

While you're at it, you might as well do the other one too, just to be safe.

[Nitrofreak]

Hello all

I just bought my first boat trailer combo. One main thing I know I will have to work on is placing and removing boat from water. Got a couple questions.

When placing do I leave alot of slack on rope from trailer?

Can someone give me a step by step when taking boat out water?

When I take rubber cap off one end of tire axil grease/oil comes pouring out, but other one doesn't. Does this mean the one with oil has a leaking seal?

I know these are rookie question, but I'm a rookie boater. Thanks

[/quote

It would help to know what kind of boat, length etc...

Have you already attempted this alone?

If not the first thing I would suggest is make sure you have all of the gear that goes in the boat, PFD's etc...

Secondly take it to an empty parking lot and practice backing it into a chosen slot...try not to pick an easy one after you have done it a couple of times and practice getting it into tighter spaces.

After you get confident with backing it up take it to a boat launch thats not too busy for the first time, prestage the boat at the top of the ramp and make sure you have everything you need in the boat, back it close to the water leaving enough room for you to gain access to the back of the boat to undo the tie down staps and install the plug, tie a long lenght rope to the front of the boat, back the trailer up just enough to be able to reach the ratchet strap on the front, loosen the ratchet 3 revolutions and undo the hook on the front of the boat, secure the long rope to the pier near the rear of the boat, back the trailer into the water untill the stern lifts off of the trailer and remember how deep the trailer is in the water at this point!! you need to make sure you put it back at the same location when you load the boat, the boat should slide right off or it may need a little more to lift it off depending on the boat.

Once the boat is free pull the trailer away from the boat and park it, secure the boat close to the dock and get ready to launch, put your PFD on and ease away from the dock.

Don't forget to store away those ropes we don't need you tripping over them out on the lake.

Return trip, approach the dock slowly, secure the boat to the dock, back your trailer into the same position as it took to unload the boat, at this point you can either load the boat by using the long rope to guide the boat on or you can drive it on (SLOWLY) if you choose to drive it on you only need to get it close enough to the ratchet to attach it by going to the front of the boat and reaching down and latching it to the front eyelet then crank it up, note: try to be as close to the pier or dock as possible so you can just step off the boat onto the dock if at all possible.

Pull the boat and trailer out of the water, most places have a loading area to finish loading your boat, secure the boat to the trailer and make sure everything is stowed away for the trip home.

This will take a few times to master but it really does become second nature.

It is wise to be with someone for the first couple of times but whatever you do make sure you put your saftey first!!!

Good luck have fun and be safe!!

[slonezp]

Good advice Nitrofreak.

When Nitrofreak said on the return trip pull the trailer back to the same position it was when you launched, he means see where the water level is on the bunks. There may be more or less of the trailer in the water depending on the steepness of the different ramps you launch at but the amount of water covering the bunks should be your guide. If you're in too shallow it's going to be a bear wrestling the boat on the trailer. If you're in too deep, the hull will not line up correctly with the bunks. For me, I know the water needs to be 2/3 covering my innermost bunks for the boat to go on smoothly.

Practice, practice, practice. Then one day you can curse at the people at the ramp who can't load or unload their boats.

[scrutch]

Trailer fenders usually make a good gauge for how far to put your trailer into the water. When you see the boat begin to float when launching, look at how far the water is up on the fender. That's usually a good starting point for how far to back your trailer in the water when recovering your boat.

[Way2slow]

I have two methods of launching when by myself, depending on the ramp/location and type trailer. Drive on trailers, I'll back in deep enough to float the back of the boat, with the winch still smugged. I then unhook the winch, climb in, back the boat off the trailer and park it, tie it to the dock and go back to park the truck. If no dock etc or it's not a drive on trailer, I leave the winch strap hooked in the bow hook but unroll most of the strap. I then back the boat down until it's floating and hit the brakes so it will slide off back. I then ease forward, letting the strap pull the boat back to the the ramp. Once it's back to the ramp, I unhook and go park the truck. The main issue with this is you have to be carefull of wind and wakes pulling it away from the ramp, so don't tarry while parking the truck and getting back to the boat. If there is any chance of this, I hook a long rope I keep in the boat to the front eye, and stretch it out up the bank/ramp, so I have something to pull the boat back with. No fun having to swim for one or hoping someone comes along that can tow it back.

As for loading, that depends on trailer, boat, conditions etc. There are numbers of different methods used, even with drive on trailers, conditions can change how you load if by yourself.

If there are two of you, it's very simple, launch the boat with a driver in it and drive it on when you get back. You can drive on/off most any trailer when someone is driving the boat and the other person is doing the winch.

[dulouz]

It would help to know what kind of boat, length etc...

Yeah, the type of boat and trailer makes a huge difference. My boat is a 12'semi V. Once everything is ready I back the trailer in until the back of the boat starts to float up. Depending on the angle of ramp, I might back in further but never far enough that the truck tires are in the water to the rim. Then I loop the bow rope to the trailer and push the boat off. Then I grab the rope and tie the boat to the dock, or beach it and tie it to a tree. When it is time to load up, I back the trailer in so the bunks are partially submerged. Again the amount depends on the ramp. Now I take to beached boat and push it out and pull it back by the bow rope and get it on the bunks. Then I get on the tongue and pull the winch strap to the bow eye and crank it on.

Now, my father in law has a 16' deep V with a 100hp Johnson, on a really nice shorelander trailer with roller bunks. All you have to do is back it in until the stern floats, back it off and dock it. To load it, just back the trailer in so that most of the bunks are under and drive it on and hook up the winch strap.

Don't forget to unplug your lights before backing into the water!

Also, do a search on this site as well as you tube on launching and loading boats. You will find a lot of what not to do.

[NBR]

Prep your boat away from the ramp. While you are getting ready to launch others can put their boat in to the water. While I fish and launch and recover my boat alone often it is much easier with two. I always prep the boat away from the ramp. When I have a buddy along we also prep the boat away from the ramp. Get the transom saver off, undo the tie downs, get our rods( with reels attached secured,tip the motor all the way up, prime the fuel line bulb and make sure the bilge plug is in and secure. Have all electronics and the Tmotor connected.

If my buddy can back the boat into position I just climb into the boat and let him take me from the prep area to the ramp. If he can't I position the tow vehicule and boat on the ramp so he only has to go straight back, the I climb into the boat. I have him back in using hand signals until I can put the motor part way down and start it up. Be sure the prop is not going to hit the ramp. Once the motor is running he unhooks the trailer from the boat and backs on down when the boat floats up I back off in reverse and he parks the rig. If there is a dock I pick him up there. Wihtout a dock you'll have to pick him up off the shore.

The reason I make sure the motor is running before I unhook the bow line is if the boat for some reason won't start you are not floating around in he lake with no power. If you have a bass type boat they are more than a bit hard to paddle and if there is wind you can be a long ways out quickly.

As stated earlier practice backing the boat and trailer so you have a decent degree of skill and if you have a boat/trailer experienced bud get him to come along and help the first few times.

In time it gets to be old hat.

[The Guy]

Is it common practice to unhook trailer lights before you back in? I am fairly new to this and don't unhook the lights and recently blew a bulb that had not seen much use.

[Jig Man]

Is it common practice to unhook trailer lights before you back in? I am fairly new to this and don't unhook the lights and recently blew a bulb that had not seen much use.

That depends on what type of lights you have. If they are not sealed then yes. Mine are sealed and I never unplug them as long as the trailer is hooked to the truck.

[(='_'=)]

That depends on what type of lights you have. If they are not sealed then yes. Mine are sealed and I never unplug them as long as the trailer is hooked to the truck.

i didnt knew that.... my lights not only are not sealed, but the red plastic cover is partially broken, so the bulbs definitely get wet.... so far i have not had a problem.... whats the worst thing that could happen, to blow a bulb?? i dont think it could cause a blown fuse or something....

[BrianinMD]

If water is getting inside the lights it can definitely blow a fuse. Minor issue unless it's dark out and you don't have a spare. Even if you have a spare it may blow if the water is still in the light fixture.

[Grey Wolf]

i didnt knew that.... my lights not only are not sealed, but the red plastic cover is partially broken, so the bulbs definitely get wet.... so far i have not had a problem.... whats the worst thing that could happen, to blow a bulb?? i dont think it could cause a blown fuse or something....

Getting a ticket for no lights on your trailer perhaps.

[(='_'=)]

ok, ill take care of that ASAP... i guess if i just dont turn on the lights while on the water would help meanwhile??

[J Francho]

ok, ill take care of that ASAP... i guess if i just dont turn on the lights while on the water would help meanwhile??

I'll bet you use the brake when launching and retrieving.

I'll also bet that your trailer lights work properly, and copy your tail lights.

[(='_'=)]

I'll bet you use the brake when launching and retrieving.

I'll also bet that your trailer lights work properly, and copy your tail lights.

well, actually they dont... the harness of my jeep was all thorn and useless, so i just wired a separate harness.... the trailer lights just turn on when i turn on the jeep lights, but they dont copy the brakes or turn lights....

[The Guy]

well, actually they dont... the harness of my jeep was all thorn and useless, so i just wired a separate harness.... the trailer lights just turn on when i turn on the jeep lights, but they dont copy the brakes or turn lights....

you may want to check the legality of that

[slonezp]

you may want to check the legality of that

As long as he doesn't turn or stop, he'll be just fine.

[(='_'=)]

or as long as i remain in Mexico =)

i know it would be better if my jeep had the harness properly wired and the trailer too, so the lights could copy the signals.... but i dont really know how to wire the harness, it was all thorn and the cables were all broken... i had to move the boat one evening/night, so i had to wire it like that.... and here, as long as the lights are on, i know i wont be bothered by the cops... once i had to borrow a trailer with no lights, so i just placed a headlamp on each light, and that was enough for me to move it without a problem.... not the best, but it works... besides i dont really move my boat much during the night....