Boat trailering

B

bgreene

Banned
I’ve trailered boat far as about 600 miles on one trip, have trailered 100 miles round trip countless times, have re-worked sections, installed complete Kodiak SS brakes and so far thank GOD no accidents.

But in my experience I’ll say this:
Trailering is a pain in the butt, a hassle, and is dangerous .
Furthermore launching and retrieving is the same !!!

* And I’ll add that I have a system for launching & retrieving when alone that’s quick and efficient so no rookie type delays, and it’s still not my favorite thing to do !!!
 
On this we agree. I've never trailered my boat more than 25 miles at a time and I have to say that retrieving and trailering is very nerve wracking for me. Retrieving is somewhat better when my better half is at the wheel of the tow vehicle at the ramp. Hate retrieving by myself. I don't trailer often so I am typically the guy you see in the right lane doing 5-10 below the speed limit. (Not interstate, I've never towed on the interstate, but mostly on 4-lane divided highway) And I'm driving a perfectly capable V-8 powered tow vehicle. I always breathe a sigh of relief when we arrive safely.
 
Key to launching alone is a LONG bow line.

Not to be a know it all just sharing how I do it quickly alone :

1. Back in …roller or bunk no matter and I’ve had both.
2. Pull bow line tightly from connected to boat to the stem on trailer wrapping it 4-6 times around the trailer stem ( it sticks above the crank)
3. Then release the trailer cable from boat .
4. Start unwrapping the bow line from trailer slowly till it starts to slip and allowing the boat to slide off trailer.
5. Let the boat completely glide off trailer while you feed bow line.
6. Then tie off the bow line to whatever is convenient - dock pole or whatever and go park your vehicle with trailer.

Folks have said “ wow you’ve got that down hu”
I should since been doing it for 20 -+ years
 
I never load or unload my boat alone. But that sounds like a great way to do it.
I dont mind towing my boat, after you tow a big camper or enclosed trailer around for years a boat seems easy.
But it is dangerous, I see people towing all the time with too small of a vehicle or not enough tongue weight or reciever wrong. I always go with overkill for a tow vehicle if I can. Most people look for engine size to tow with but forget about suspension and brakes. I have an old jeep with a big v8, if it wouldnt spin I could tow alot but not gonna stop.
Trailer brakes are another thing. Some tandem trailers only have brakes on one axle or none. But some of you guys live where its all level. That makes a big difference.
 
I m kinda like oteps, been pulling stuff since i started driving. My dad was a U-Haul dealer and sold StarCraft campers. When working on golf courses, pulled tractors and trenchers all over southeast. Boats are a little tricky being so high and higher center of gravity. I’ve towed the V to the keys several times. 800 miles one way. Never had a boat trailer with brakes.

To me , the secret of launching is a bow and stern line. When someone is with me, back down ramp while they walk out finger pier with lines in hand. When i see the stern lift, tap brakes and off she glides. With 2 lines, they can put boat anywhere they need to.

When by myself, i tie the stern line to the bow rail on the port side and the bowline to the winch post. Back her in about half way. Then untie the stern line from the bow rail and toss it up on finger pier. Walk out on pier and tie to piling behind stern. Then back in until she floats and tap brakes. As its floating back, pull up and put tension on bow rope to slow and stop boat. Go back and untie bowline from winch post and secure on dock piling. This gives u 2 lines tied to dock to keep boat from blowing sideways.

Also,ALL ramps and dock layouts are different. Tides really not a factor here, 1.5ft is a big tide to us.

But that’s what works for me
 
Trailering a boat is nerve racking. Not because of its length just the fact that something could go wrong ,l8ke a flat or broken axle it’s just a pain in the rump. I used to trailer it. 150 miles. 75 miles to and from. Now I just keep my boat on a trailer at the marina it’s so much easier unfortunately I haven’t fished a lot this year. But I will.
Bgreene. Launching your boat/my boat is easy alone the problem is getting it back on the trailer alone. I always go with one of my sons. He drives it on the trailer and I guide him in looking at his approach. Works out great. Cudos to you for doing it alone. But I have to say it’s not safe going out alone.
 
steplift20 said:
Trailering a boat is nerve racking. Not because of its length just the fact that something could go wrong ,l8ke a flat or broken axle it’s just a pain in the rump. I used to trailer it. 150 miles. 75 miles to and from. Now I just keep my boat on a trailer at the marina it’s so much easier unfortunately I haven’t fished a lot this year. But I will.
Bgreene. Launching your boat/my boat is easy alone the problem is getting it back on the trailer alone. I always go with one of my sons. He drives it on the trailer and I guide him in looking at his approach. Works out great. Cudos to you for doing it alone. But I have to say it’s not safe going out alone.
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Getting boat back on trailer isn’t a problem to me.
Again the long bow line is the reason.
1. Back trailer
2. Take the long bow line by hand and walk to the trailer wench .
3. Pull the boat using the bow line, then tide the bow line off tight to trailer stem .
4. Pull the trailer cable or strap to the boat hook then go back and just crank it
 
You make it sound easy
I hav3 a friend who has a c hawk 25 foot and he always does it alone and fast too. I always go ou5 with my son so he drives the boat and I guide him in. Easy peasy
 
steplift20 said:
You make it sound easy
I hav3 a friend who has a c hawk 25 foot and he always does it alone and fast too. I always go ou5 with my son so he drives the boat and I guide him in. Easy peasy
Click to expand...

It’s easy but that doesn’t mean fun and not potentially dangerous .
Low tide and slick ramps not good. I put chocks behind and ease back slowwwwwly .
Nothing we all haven’t been doing for years.
 
I launch and load mine by myself, never had a problem. I never drive on, just pull it up 2 ft from winch and crank it the rest of the way. Loads really easy. I added Kodiak Stainless steel disc brakes on the front axle, boat stops the truck. I bought a heavy duty trailer years ago and configured it to fit the V. It came out from under a 28 ft. Bayliner.
 
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