getting on the trailer

Discussion in 'Drivers Corner' started by jim, Jul 10, 2008.

  1. jim

    jim Hydrodyne 18 Specialist

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    2,321
    Location:
    FL
    Boat Model and Year:
    77 Dyne 18 I/O converted to Outboard
    Mark,

    In answer to your question in the other thread, I have seen folks have someone in the stern when pulling the trailer out to hold the guides and center the boat as the trailer picks it up. If I have help I sometimes walk along next to the trailer and hold the boat centered.

    If I am in the boat I can hold onto those side guides and sort of center it. If I am alone I pull the trailer up just a little and center the boat on the bunks with just a little pressure on the bunks to keep it there, then pull it out and check.

    They do make cylindrical padded tubes that slip over the round stern guides that leave less room between the boat and the guide. I am thinking about converting to that set up.

    jim
     
  2. jim

    jim Hydrodyne 18 Specialist

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    2,321
    Location:
    FL
    Boat Model and Year:
    77 Dyne 18 I/O converted to Outboard
    A word about driving on/power loading. I drive the boat on the trailer, but I let it coast on. When it stops I winch it the rest of the way unless just a minimum shot of power will do it.

    I do this because I launch in our yard. After I bought this place I realized that using a lot of power to get on or off the trailer does a lot of damage to the lake bottom. It can dig huge holes.

    I have seen concrete launch ramps with a 5 or 6 foot drop off at the end of the pavement from high power loading induced erosion. Then, when the water gets really low the trailers can fall off the end and hang up on the spring mounts and really get damaged severely if you pull on them hard. I have seen trailers modified to cope with this issue.

    jim
     

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