Did it again..

[SBM1234]

I have a marina that go to on a regular basis. Well, last weekend I decided to try a new place, it looked good and all my "buddies" said that it was more protected and easier to load a boat there. Anyway, I realize that the ramp is a bit steeper when I put the boat in, but I thought, "Oh well, no big deal." So we enjoy the day on the lake and when I back the trailer in, I put it about the same place I usually do - the back tires of my truck about 3 feet from the edge of the water. Well, I run around the dock, jump in the boat and get the boat lined up with the trailer - perfect stab on the first try. I winch it up tight and hook on the safety chain.

Now I realize that I was a bit too far in the water with the trailer, but I figured if I come out of the water slowly, the tracking fins will bump up against the bunks and push the boat over into alignment with trailer and everything is going to be good.

Well, that is not what happened. The tracking fin did contact the bunk, but it broke it in half.

Luckliy I didn't bend the tracking fin....like the last time I did this same thing the second time I had the boat out....This is my first inboard boat so I gave myself a pass the first time, but now I realize I have a problem.

So the question is, when you are unsure as to the effect of the steepness of the ramp on the loading of your boat, is it better to have the trailer too deep or to shallow?

P.S. If anyone needs new bunks let me know, I am getting good at building these things!

[bmoorewiz]

You are over thinking this sir.

I personally backup until the tip of my wheel wells of my trailer are completely submerged, then I pull the boat up, if its not enough then I have the person backup a little.

[chpthril]

Sorry to hear, thats a bummer.

What has always worked well for me is to stop the trailer when the water level is right about the top of the front tire. I like to have the bow nest into the front bunks as im on approach. I would rather have to power load just a little or winch the rest of the way, as opposed to having the trailer deep enough to allow the bow to float right over if you miss the bow stop. If you are not by yourself, you have the truck driver back in a little at a time once the bow is nested, as opposed to power loading or winching.

[SBM1234]

I think I need a "Stop you idiot!" sensor for my trailer.

[Nobody]

We wen't too deep one time and the boat trailer went down under. Concrete ramps don't go forever, they actually have an end point.

If your tires go past the end of no return....forget it! Call the tow truck because it's going to stay there, and don't unhitch until the tow truck comes.

This of course was in my early days of boating.

No....your not an idiot. We ALL learn the ropes this way.

[konajay]

Sorry to hear, thats a bummer.

What has always worked well for me is to stop the trailer when the water level is right about the top of the front tire. I like to have the bow nest into the front bunks as im on approach. I would rather have to power load just a little or winch the rest of the way, as opposed to having the trailer deep enough to allow the bow to float right over if you miss the bow stop. If you are not by yourself, you have the truck driver back in a little at a time once the bow is nested, as opposed to power loading or winching.

X2, this is basically how I do it. Do you have guide poles on your trailer?

[What she said]

I had that same problem on a very steep ramp. The ramp was soaken wet, and slick with that algae on it. I couldn't get traction so i had to back down deeper to get a running start to make it up the ramp, and the tracking fine came down on a bunker. It was dark out, and didn't notice till the next day. I blame it on the peace of crap Roadrunner trailer, because the 2 inner bunkers are to close to the tracking fins. Never had this issue with any of my other inboards.

[SBM1234]

I have the guide posts and they get used quite often...the covers have been replaced a couple of times...

Honestly I think I am just backing the trailer down too far, but I am just nervous and do NOT want to put a scratch on the boat so I opt for going a little deeper so I don't risk scratching the underside on one of the bunks. Which I guess the bunks are carpeted and everything, but still it makes me worry.

[Ewok]

You are over thinking this sir.

I personally backup until the tip of my wheel wells of my trailer are completely submerged, then I pull the boat up, if its not enough then I have the person backup a little.

X2

[Duncan]

X3 re backing in till covering the wheels. I power onto the bunks every time.

If you are worried about minimizing scratches on the gel coat, back the trailer in deep to soak the bunks, then pull out to where the fender covers are just barely under water. The wet bunks will help sliding against the gel coat.

[SBM1234]

Will the bunks straighten up the boat if it is a bit off during the approach? Say if you are crabbing up to it, will it straigthen the boat without damaging the trailer and/or tracking fins?

[laserfish]

Just have to get the bow in there between the bunks and somewhat straight. The worst thing you can do is back down too far. We have had to help multiple new boaters out at the ramp, and that is almost always their problem, backing in until the trailer is not visible. Use those bunks to "nest" as Chpthril said. Then straighten it up and slowly give it some gas to get the rest of the boat on the trailer. Once you are successful, you will get better and better. Just keep the front of the trailer fenders a few inches out of the water and you will do fine. You came to the right place for help. We have all been there and like to share and help.

[c_hotshot]

SBM - which lake and which marina were were you putting in? Where do you normally put in?

[Vicseek]

I always stop the driver when I can still see 4-6 inches of the bunks, I let the boat settle in the bunks throttle it up the rest. Or simply crank while the driver inches back further.
I'm out of the water in 60sec and the driver never has to get out.

[SBM1234]

UPDATE:

So I made the new board, headed out to the lake yesterday and had an awesome time! Went to load it up and kept the bunks a little out of water....it worked great!

Thanks for all the help guys!!!!