Problems loading boat

[RiverMan]

I bought a new 19' aluminum boat last year and have found it VERY DIFFICULT to get back on the trailer. If I don't approach the trailer dead center...and I mean dead center, it will bump the boat off center and I have to back it off and try again. I wouldn't mind so much but sometimes it's unfair to other guys wanting to load up. I have run other boats for 15 years with no problems loading at all.

My boat has two supporting ribs on each side of the keel. Near as I can tell when I come up on the trailer the outside metal rib on one side or the other jumps on the outside of the trailer guides and pushes the boat to one side. Once the rib is on the outside it can't get back to center itself. If I back the boat in the water further it helps but it's still very touchy!! I am wondering if trailer guides would help...any thoughts?

thanks

RM

[Boatdog]

I don't know your set up, but on my trailer with two long bunks, I only put the bunks halfway in the water to load, and then drive on. This is way easier for me than when they're almost and/or totally submerged. They tend to steer the boat onto the trailer better that way, and auto-correct any small errors I make.

Those loading guides sure would be handy. I've thought about adding them myself.

:cheers:

[RiverMan]

That's generally where I have it but if I don't come PERFECT, one of the ribs (not sure what they are called) on the bottom of the boat will catch the bunks and send me one way or the other off center! It is an impossible boat to load. I have thought about moving the bunks on the trailer but with two ribs on either side of the keel there isn't anwhere for them to go. thx.

RM

[LowerRiver]

You may try a narrower bunk. Side load guides definately wont hurt.

[Starfish]

Jed, how many bunks are there on your trailer? Is there room to add another pair of bunks near the keel, or a bigger keel roller at the back to help center the boat?

When I first got my new boat a couple of years ago I was having trouble staying centered and almost broke down and bought side guide-ons. But I then found that I was backing just a foot too far in with the trailer-- matching the distance I had previously backed my last two boats. Changing by just a few inches made all the difference in the world. But as you say, if it's a matter of your strakes catching a bunk that might not matter.

[Fisherman]

RM I just sent you a PM

[RiverMan]

I am almost certain it has to be the outside strakes catching one of the bunks and once the strake is on the outside the bunk prevents the boat from coming back to center. There are two bunks, one on each side. I haven't bought the guide-ons because I am not convinced they will solve the problem. And yes, I think there would be room for another set of bunks or keel roller in the back. I have tried backing the boat in shallow, deep, you name it, believe me, it is damn tricky! It does help if I get about 3/4 of the bunks in the water or the water just over the wheel fenders. But even so, the tiniest bit off....and you are trying again. I only attempt to drive it on if the wind is dead calm. With boats in the past I wouldn't even think about, get the nose on the trailer and throttle it straight. It's very frustrating. Maybe I can take a couple pics to show you guys what it looks like.

RM

[bassin]

That would help, I thought at first you were just to deep. My old Duckworth had to be deeper than my new NR. But the Bass boat only needs to be close to the water. Each boat is a little differnet.

[Catching Nemo]

RiverMan,

If you live in Troutdale/PDX area, I would be willing to meet you at a ramp to see if another set of eyeballs could help.

Is the trailer OEM from the boat builder or did you get a custom trailer? It might be worth to give the boat dealer/builder a call and see if anyone else has had this problem. They might know of a quick fix/adjustment.

With your 15 years of boating experinece, I would find it hard to believe that it is operator error.

:cheers:

[Starfish]

If you only have a total of two bunks, that may be part of the problem. My boat has a lot of strakes but it's set up with three bunks on each side, and a center roller at the back.

Center roller:
http://webpages.charter.net/djmcbride/keelroller.JPG

View of three bunks:
http://webpages.charter.net/djmcbride/3bunks.JPG

By the way, the outer bunk on each side is about 6' long and the inner four (two on each side) are about 11' long. This is a 21' boat. There are two additional keel rollers, mounted just like the stern one, one on each of the two other crossbeams of the trailer so the front roller is about even with the front end of the middle bunks:
http://webpages.charter.net/djmcbride/frontroller.JPG

Gee, at least the last picture looks like it's really an aluminum boat and not a bass boat!

Anyway, if you don't have keel rollers that might be worth trying. Mine seems to load pretty well despite a lot of strakes as you can see.

[RiverMan]

Thanks for trying to help guys, I really appreciate it! I live in eastern Orgegon so a meeting in the Troutdale area is pretty much out of the question. Here I have posted a few pics of my boat......forgive the sloppy writing, I did it with my mouse in photoshop. Hope you can tell what you are looking at.

http://photobucket.com/albums/c48/RiverMan1/?sc=1


RM

[Starfish]

Pics look pretty good. It looks to me like a set of bunks closer to the keel would help (and would install pretty easily), since the keel often will center itself between them and keep you fairly centered while powering on. But it's not a super deep V so the side guide-ons sure wouldn't hurt either.

[SalmonAddict]

Riverman, I see the problem :smile:. Your boat want to be fished on this side of Bonneville. :cool: Bring it this way in about 2 weeks and us ifishers will treat it properly. :cheers: Just joshin, it looks like a bunk adjustment and possibly a center roller to help keep you lined up. :grin:

[RiverMan]

Hey thanks SA! I wouldn't mind being down that way sometimes. Maybe you are right Starfish, thanks for posting the pics by the way.

Well, I will think it about it some and then try something, not sure yet if I will go with additional bunks/rollers or the guide-ons....or both. Thx again.

RM

[adfluvial angler]

R-man,
I'm with Starfish. After looking at your pictures, I'd mount a pair of bunks on each side of the keel, inside the existing bunks and inside the first set of strakes. When you load ram the keel between the inside bunks, then the inner strakes should fall on the outside of the new bunks. By the time your outer strakes and the existing bunks begin to interact your boat will be lined up and unable to shift around.
Adfluvial

[Catching Nemo]

Nope, you all got it wrong. It is obvious that the tree needs to be removed :grin:!