Centering the bow for Retrieving

[rpgs60]

Hi, I need to be able to launch and retrieve my boat (a 4.6 Alloy centre console) single handed and I’m looking for advice on how to keep the bow of the boat aligned on the first trailer roller as I make my way back to the winch. The ‘Easy Guide’ spring loaded rollers that mount either side of the first trailer roller look like they would assist or maybe the short skids that sit sideways and angled towards the roller, or something else?? Your advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

[astro66]

Mines easy....
When i park the trailer i pull out the hook to the point were the nose of the boat sits when its against the guide in rollers which is to the second roller in on mine...
Hook on the cable and it has a little slack....pull tight as you go to the winch and wind up the slack in a wind or two and your inline and on...
If there is a current running just push the boat upstream a little and get to the winch fast and get the slack out and its on..

[Chimo]

Dont sink your trailer so deep, just drown the last roller, hook up and winch it on.

C
C

[petelaska]

On my boat 3.8mt I undo the winch cable and click on the rachet and hook the hook down near the back of the trailer on a piece of metal that I know is the right distance. push the boat out of the ramp, walk down the trailer pull the boat up onto the first roller and hook up (my axle doesn't need to get wet) the boat takes up the tension on the cable. Walk back up the trailer and winch up the boat. don't even need to take off my shoes unless I slip of the trailer ha ha. once you work out the length of cable and depth of the trailer to easy.
Pete

[nigelr]

Self-centring rollers and the sideways skids that drop onto the first roller work great. My trailer has 5 rollers; I have the 1st and 3rd as self-centring, the rest are plain. Lines the boat up really well.
Should have said, boat is a 5.3m tinnie runabout, solo-launch and retrieve exclusively; as such I am mindfull of unhelpful tidal/wind conditions and avoid them.

[goat boy]

I have a 4.6 runabout and solo launch/retrieve all the time, the above advice from all is pretty much it. I do have a length of rope tied around the bow rails that helps keep it straight if there is a strong wind or current, just guide the boat on initially keeping tension on the rope so as to stop the back end swinging. Hook the winch on and off you go. If you're not already doing it, wind your winch rope/cable out to around the needed length before you start trying to get the boat on the trailer, saves heaps of time = less chance for boat to swing out and make life difficult.

[Andy56]

Don't go easy guide, they look good but ain't. It's quite easy to make your own angled guides and then you can adjust them anyway that suites. Two rows will do the trick nicely.

[Fed]

I’m looking for advice on how to keep the bow of the boat aligned on the first trailer roller as I make my way back to the winch.

I put a power winch on for just that reason, you can hold the boat on the rear roller and winch it up at the same time.
With the rear roller just touching the water the winch will easily pull the boat straight even against the wind & tide, my boat is often at right angles to the trailer when I start winching.
Laying alone on a boat ramp with a broken leg & water logged phone ain't worth it.

[deckie]

Yeah as others say, dont back in far (shouldnt anyway), have the cable the right length to hold it tight and winch on ratchet, give it a good pull and clip on to hold. Stops it going back off the last roller. No probs if its off on an angle, just winch slow to start and let it line up on back roller then winch it in. Another is to have a set length of rope coming from winch or winch post with a clip, just clip both cable and rope to bow eye so it will hold it straight where u pulled it up on the trailer till u get back to the winch...just keep tension on winch cable in front of you so it goes onto winch properly before taking the weight. Self centeing rollers can be a help with tinnies.
You can get cheapo chinese electric winches about 3000lbs that have batt operated remote control and that might help if it becomes a huge issue or a bad ramp with wind/surge.....remote means u can stand at the back and hold it straight then push a button to winch. Not used one tho.

[Fed]

Yeah it's only a small boat I'd think you could easily pull it up the back roller a bit then it won't go anywhere while you take a stroll up to the winch.

[Andy56]

Why are you guys so unadventurous? When I had my quinine, I modified the trailer with two sets of guides, dunked the trailer and drove on! What's with all the winching? Surely you old timers don't need the pulled muscles! Lol

[royslaven]

I have a 4.6 runabout and solo launch/retrieve all the time, the above advice from all is pretty much it. I do have a length of rope tied around the bow rails that helps keep it straight if there is a strong wind or current, just guide the boat on initially keeping tension on the rope so as to stop the back end swinging. Hook the winch on and off you go. If you're not already doing it, wind your winch rope/cable out to around the needed length before you start trying to get the boat on the trailer, saves heaps of time = less chance for boat to swing out and make life difficult.

That,s how i do it as well, works for me, cheers roy

[Jarrah Jack]

As Chimo and others have mentioned, don't sink the rear roller. I have it just out of the water now and don't have any problems after making a mess of it for years with the roller too deep.

[geoffmck]

I have a 4.6 runabout and solo launch/retrieve all the time, the above advice from all is pretty much it. I do have a length of rope tied around the bow rails that helps keep it straight if there is a strong wind or current, just guide the boat on initially keeping tension on the rope so as to stop the back end swinging. Hook the winch on and off you go. If you're not already doing it, wind your winch rope/cable out to around the needed length before you start trying to get the boat on the trailer, saves heaps of time = less chance for boat to swing out and make life difficult.

This is exactly what I do when solo.
Rope tied to anchor bollard, pull boat up hard to last roller and tie the rope off to the winch post under tension to hold the boat securely.
Then hook the winch strap on at your leisure and wind the boat on.
Too easy.

[deckie]

Why are you guys so unadventurous? When I had my quinine, I modified the trailer with two sets of guides, dunked the trailer and drove on! What's with all the winching? Surely you old timersdon't need the pulled muscles! Lol

Rather operate a winch than waste the same amount of time you did replacing wheel bearings and working on the rusty brakes.