how do you manage to load a boat on your own?

[Angler101]

hey everyone.. i'm about to buy my first boat. i'm lookin to get a fibreglass boat around 15ft long. and i was wondering how you guys load a boat that size onto it's trailer by one person at the end of the day. i can't imagine it to be easy doing it by myself..

[BaitThrower]

electric winch with remote plus good guide rollers on trailer :)

[Roughasguts]

It ain't hard mate but you might get a little wet up to your knees.

I use a small lengh of rope tied to my bow and push my boat out to beyond the mudguard of me trailer and then pull the rope in so the boat gets cradled in the rear rollers of me trailer it won't move sideways once it's cradled in there.

(Rear rollers just under the water)

Give the boat a little time to centralise on the rollers then pull up on the rope.
Then you only need to pan out some 3 foot of winch strap and wind her in.
Put your safety chain on and drive up the ramp.

It's that easy and a hell of a lot quicker than driving the boat on especially that size.

[Mac_Attack]

Make sure you get some bearing buddys so you can put the axle in the water otherwise the bearings will rust out like crazy
Cheers Nick 8-)

[Tangles]

Helpfl hint i picked up on these forums is also if a bit windy blowing your boat around, have a rope tied on the stern as well so you can control her better

mike

[outsiderskip]

do much trouble
just drive it on
leave it in gear and hook boat up
pete

[ozscott]

mate - I have a Vagabond - with a bimini so lots of windage. I use a large 4wd winch on the trailer with external remote. I extended the remote cable so its 30 feet long which allows me to go right to the back of the boat if needed to keep her in line while I operate the winch. I can then hold the boat straight on to the trailer before the self aligning rollers do their job. I could drive it on...its a drive on trailer but prefer not to do it with wife and kids (wife does not like backing the trailer, nor driving it out when loaded).

Cheers

[Fatenhappy]

I'm with you Pete ...
Just slow it down, line it up, allow for windage and drive it on.

If you don't line it up right the first time just back her up and try again .... If you just take your time, you'll get it right the first time most times .... excellent ....

Don't forget to tilt the leg up under half way to save your prop ..

Cheers
Greg

[Noelm]

driving on a 15' Boat is more trouble than it is worth, just do a few practice runs to see how far in the water your trailer needs to be so you can pull the Boat up a bit so it will "stay" and have enough winch cable out to hook it to the eye and your done, a walkway down the Trailer is a great help also, after a few goes, you will know how far to put the trailer in, how much winch cable needs to be let out (and hooked to a roller or something) then it will be a snap for you to do it alone, probably be the fastest at the ramp after a bit of pratice.

[NAGG]

If you plan to use the boat on your own ( consider Aluminium!)

Regardless

Buy a trailer that is set up correctly ( Drive on)

Then take the time to learn how to drive the boat on ( During a quiet weekday) ..... Its not that difficult to learn ...if you have an experienced person with you & you take your time:thumbup:

When on your own ...... Winching is a mugs game ( specially if the wind picks up)
& a heavy glass boat makes it even harder! .. I've seen way too many boaties struggle over the years trying to get their boat on the trailer in less than perfect conditions

Nagg

[Cheech]

It is all about technique. I have a 21fter glass boat that I handle by myself.

What I do is unwind the winch rope and clip it on to the trailer near the back rollers about 1 metre from the end of the trailer near the first set of rollers (ie about 4 metres of cable out depending on your trailer and boat size).

Lock the winch ratchet into gear so it will not undo.

Then reverse down and sink the trailer as much as you can. The deaper the easier it is to winch on. I go till the car wheels are almost at the water.

Now for the part where people usually make hard work of it all. Controling the boat from being on the beach to being on the trailer cradle ready to winch. But is easy when you know how.

Take a hold of the bow and turn the boat sideways to the beach. Then walk the boat over to the trailer like it is on a lead. go straight to where you have the winch rope clipped on. I usually get on to the trailer in front of the wheel arches so I can walk out to the back without getting wet. It is surprising how easy it is to walk on the trailer box section when you have the bow of the boat to hold on to.

Remembering that the boat is still at 90 degrees to the beach. Or maybe a little stern out. Don't make the stern go out till the boat is clipped on to the winch rope.

Clip on the winch rope.

Now the boat is connected. As the boat is now connected/tethered to the winch, slowly move the bow from being to the side of the trailer near the wheel, and move it more toward the centre of the trailer. Just need to make sure you do not scrape on the numberplate or anything else in the way. As you start moving the bow into the centre, start pushing on the boat about a metre or so back from the bowsprit so that you can now push the stern out to sea. ie changing it from being 90 degrees from the beach to then being straight out and ready to slide straight in to the trailer cradle.

As the boat is straightenning up, just pull it straight in to the cradle. Keeping in mind you are still holding on to the boat. (This is the first time that there is no tension on the winch rope since connecting it.)

Now that the boat is in the cradle, just work your way back to the winch and remember to keep at least some tension on the winch rope so that the boat stays in the cradle till you are ready to start winching.

This really is a very easy way to do it. You may need a couple of trial and error attempts to work out your best length to let out your winch rope so that the bow just clears everything on the trailer when you are pushing it around to the cradle, and not too much out that you cannot still hold on to the bow easily, as you have to be able to give the boat a fair amount of push to turn it bum out.

I can do this in windy conditions as well as calm. You just have to follow the procedure exactly the same and be ready to slide the boat in to the cradle was soon as it straightens up, and keep the tension on till teh winghrope is taken up.

But when I am not on my own I drive it on.

Hope this helps. Sounds complicated, but it really isn't.

Cheech

[NAGG]

driving on a 15' Boat is more trouble than it is worth, just do a few practice runs to see how far in the water your trailer needs to be so you can pull the Boat up a bit so it will "stay" and have enough winch cable out to hook it to the eye and your done, a walkway down the Trailer is a great help also, after a few goes, you will know how far to put the trailer in, how much winch cable needs to be let out (and hooked to a roller or something) then it will be a snap for you to do it alone, probably be the fastest at the ramp after a bit of pratice.

Hmmm ..... I'm yet to see any cranker get their boat out of the water quicker than someone who knows how to drive their boat onto their trailer.
I do a majority of my fishing on my own! .... & I reckon it takes me 2-3 minutes to retrieve my boat ( push it off the sand , start the motor , drive it on , hook up the cable & tighten it ( safety chain), turn off the motor , hop over the bow ....... Get into the car & move off the ramp ........ In most conditions
I think I've done it in under 1 min with a mate ( who didn't even need to get out of the car)
I reckon it would take a fair bit more than that ..... with 2or3 crankers in good conditions .......

Nagg

PS .... I should say ...... Its not a race!
However it is much easier to drive on ...... when you are on your own ( much less frustrating for both you & others using the ramp)

[Angler101]

thanks alot guys.. you guys have been very helpful. as you can see i am new to the forum and that was my first post ever. yea i was lookin at the porta-bote, that folding boat that doesnt need trailer or any of that.. but for the cost it is.. i think i would prefer a proper boat cause i've seen a few decent fibreglass boat on trading post and boatpoint for under $5000, cheers guys. i'll try all the ways you guys have mention and i'll see what works for me. but anymore hints and tips and ways of loading a boat onto the trailer, i would appreciate it

[littlejim]

I fitted a 'Retriever Mate' to the back of the trailer. it is a set of spring loaded "V" rollers. For the retrieve you hook the strap into bow loop and hold the nose in the rollers with the strap while you make your way up to the winch handle. Acts like a bod holding the nose of the boat in the right position over the rollers down the back while you are winding the boat in.
Other solo retrievers fit vertical padded posts at the back of the trailer to do the same job.
You need some way of holding the nose of the boat in the correct position at the back of the trailer while you are up the front winding it in.
Speedy Gonzales could do it without any 'aids', but I need the Retriever mate.
My boat is an ancient F/glass hull, where I launch/retrieve there isn't any sand, only rock, but there is a wharf to tie up to.

[coelacanth]

If your trailer does not have a walk way down the middle it might be advantageous to get one made(galv)(any good fabricator can make it) and no prob's getting galvinised, you can bolt it on using u bolts instead of damaging the galv by welding.The walkway means that you can easily traverse up and down the trailer without the potential for falling or getting too wet when the h2o 's a bit cold. Remember to quickly wash the trailer after you put in as well as the big splash at the end of the day.

[bluefin59]

I just drive on as well my misses goes and gets the car she reverses down and straight up and on same by myself except i have to get the car ,we have a mark on the trailer gaurd that you can see from the mirror sink it to the mark perfect every time...matt P.S it does take practice be slow and sure and make sure your trailer is set up properly as far as roller and skid position take care ...matt

[Essence]

It just technique and not a race at the ramp.
The best thing the boys ever did was teach me how to drive the boat on and off. Sometimes I have to do it by myself, (easter camping runs spring immediately to mind).
The old boat I worked out the centre line from where I was standing was the anchor lined up the back middle left hand side passenger headrest!
Keep it in gear, go up and clip it on.
If the wind or tide pushes your stern around 90 degrees, don't stress, just turn the outboard the other way and gently turn her back.
Definately don't forget to lift the leg up a bit (prop's cost a bit even to get touched up!)
When you push it off, attach your bow rope to trailer first, then walk it to the beach or tie it up.
15ft or 25ft doesn't matter really. It was that windy a couple of weekends ago, I drove the little tinny on trailer!!!
Cheers
Deb

[Seahorse]

A walkway down middle trailer is fantastic.
Only way to go.

[GavinW]

Walkway down the middle and a retriver-mate , You may not even get your toes wet.

[Toddy_again]

The best thing I ever did was buy a two speed winch.1-1 and 5-1.
Makes a crap job just a little less crappier.It helps you get the boat to and on the first roller in a hurry.A rope on the bow helps a lot as well.


Toddy

[2DKnBJ]

Definatly drive on.
I have only used my winch once in 5 years,Damn flat batteries.
Driving on takes a bit of practice but once you have the confidence it will be a breeze.
It is even better if you have a deckie to put you in the water and then get the trailer for the retrieve.No more wet feet,great in winter.

Cheers Dazza

[ozscott]

In strong wind driving on can be a drama. I have a HD 4wd winch that only has 30 feet of quater inch cable so its got max pulling power (ie smaller drum size) - its also bloody fast. People at the ramp usually have a look as it cranks on. It also lets you see if anything is amiss with the rollers and to make sure that they are not flat spotting etc.

Cheers

PS. Its also good to have the set up set up for winching with ease, where you are attempting a retrieve in very shallow water or beach.

[Angler101]

wow thanks guys.. i see that there is alot of different ways of getting the boat onto it's trailer you guys have been very helpful. i mean it's common sense to have a rope tied to the bow incase you lose grip of the boat. i've seen my dad do it with he's boat before except it was a smaller size boat. but i've neva seen him do it himself though. i've fished at ramps before and i've seen ppl struggle to get they're boat onto their trailer even with 2 ppl. but thanks everyone.. i appreciate all the replies

[Far side]

All good advise

Here is my 2 cents

Go down to the ramp mid week pick a quiet ramp and pratice pratice
Get a mate to go with you try driving on winching or whatever
Take it slow and steady
You get this down pat and the rest is a breeze
If you are launching and retrieving on your own then a ramp with a pontoon is a must with a glass boat. Which means you must learn how to approach and tieup to a pontoon a technique in itself.
Pratice will turn all of these problems into a routine and it will become very easy

good luck

[BM]

Angler,

A 15 footer is only a small boat so practice will see you right. Your retrieval method will be dictated by the type of trailer you buy.

An older type boat sub 5K that you referred to is ulikely to have a full roller trailer. More than likely it will be keel rollers and side skids.

In my opinion the best trailer to have is the American Escort type which has full skids. I have used these before on large boats and smaller boats and they make a mockery of multi roller trailers for ease of use.

Cheers

[blueblackstripedmarl]

the more blokes on the boat the longer they will take at the ramp holding up everyone else -just something Ive always noticed:)

off topic but i remember a guy reversing down and his whole boat came skidding off the trailer onto the concrete. He had unhooked the g-hook and the safety chain before reversing:-X

As noel said once you have your trailer depth right its a breeze single handed. - go by the rollers. And often much faster on you own than teaching someone else for the day.
Drive on off can be fast but its a 2 person job or it ends up much slower usually if you are driving the car and the boat on your own. what you do will also depend at different ramps too

dont forget your outboard trim up when you turn your engine off:)

[charleville]

It is a bit like painting sharp edges between a flat wall and the ceiling cornice. The mug amateur will do the job well enough with one of those nifty little roller guided edging tools whereas a professional painter will just use a brush and a steady hand and with lots of practice will do a terrific job in a fraction of the time of a beginner.

Thus it has been with my 15 ft Quintrex runabout... :)

When I first got the boat, retrieval in a cross wind was my greatest nightmare - and it was a nightmare because it was often at night when no one was around to help - especially at an exposed ramp like Jacob's Well on a windy night at 2.30 am.

So I bought an electric trailer winch which worked very well. You just stand at the back of the trailer hook up the boat to the winch cable, pull on a lanyard connected to the winch motor switch and then guide the boat on to the back roller and keep her steady.

That is, after you have connected up the electric winch - which in my case with a company car that precluded me from wiring a power socket into the boot or any area at the rear of the car, it meant that I had to lift the bonnet and connect up the winch power cable to the battery and reverse the procedure when the boat was on the trailer, all whilst tying up the boat ramp. (not a popular thing to do at 4 pm on a weekend at Jacob's Well!)

Then one day, because of my own stupidity associated with a bit of maintenance, I broke the winch and I have never quite gotten around to repairing it, So the old manual winch went back on the trailer.

These days, I just clip the manual winch cable hook on to the back of the trailer before backing down the ramp, and do a manual retrieve which takes me far less time than an electric winch in every case. I know this because I have retrieved my boat manually beside someone else retrieving theirs with an electric winch and who started before I did - and I ain't no athlete. ::)

The trick is to use a very long painter (the rope that you tie on to the bow to hold the boat with). Mine is probably about 10 m long, maybe even a bit longer.

With the trailer on the ramp, I go to the beached boat beside the ramp and holding on to the painter, I give the boat a strong straight push backwards so that it will go well back beyond the trailer. Then I go to the rear of the trailer and pull the boat in straight to the trailer, hook up the winch cable hook and whilst still holding on to the painter to hold the boat firmly nose into the rear roller, I walk back to the winch and start winding.

I usually undo the ratchet because the noise annoys me and also, the winch is easier to wind without the extra load of the ratchet. The trick is to wind quickly for the first metre or so so that the nose of the boat is lifted up onto the rear roller and at which stage it self-centres. When the boat is a few cm from the winch post, I reconnect the ratchet and and when it nudges into the winch post I lock the boat in place tightly and connect the safety chain.

The other trick is to not hurry in doing anything with the boat in the water because that is just too much hard work. I just push the boat straight back and otherwise let wind and tide manoeuvre the boat around.

BTW, I never sink the trailer wheel bearings. It is not good for the bearings and not needed with my boat and retrieval method.

By using the long painter and pulling in the boat straight from a position a few metres to the rear of the trailer, the boat moves towards the trailer with enough momentum to stay straight enough in a cross wind for me to hook on the winch cable and move back to the winch and start winding. In a strong wind the boat will pivot around at that point but if you move steadily and smoothly, you will have the nose of the boat up on the rear roller quick enough for it to self-centre.

It just takes a bit of regular usage and it becomes a fail-safe, single-handed, uncomplicated retrieve. So much so that when I do have a deckie with me, I ask them to not help as I can power through the routine quickly without their getting their shorts wet - which is what usually happens. ;D

[spears]

Go down to a ramp and watch then decide what suites you..

[Vindicator]

Definitely drive on. I find it easier to load/unload my 6.7m than it used to take my 5.4m quinnie even on my own. Once in the water undo the safety chain then jump in and let the winch out(makes it easier with an electric winch and remote). Let it out far enough so that you can then start the motor and power up the trailer so the winch cable becomes slack. Leave it in gear and jump over and undo the winch. Jump back in and put it in nuetral and your in the water.

Pretty much the reverse for getting it back on the trailer. Wind can be a problem but as long as you get the nose in you can worry about straightening it up once your there.

Cheers
Kezza

[Fed]

I use a power winch with a string tied to the back of the trailer to activate it.

Hook the winch cable to the boat and pull it up, too easy.

[muzzytt]

Hi littlejim I am also new to boating and had same concerns like you..
yesterday was my first launch and retrieve and it was a peice of cake, from backing the trailer (my first time reversing a trailer) to launching boat and then retreiving boat.
Its a 16 foot Glass boat so was ok to do so and was done in less then 5 minutes.
just get out there and practice its better than words trust me.
i nearly scared my self from it by reading too much info on the net.