www.iFourWinns.com

Have a 02 268 Vista on Four Winns trailer, the ramps I use frown (issue tickets) for power loading. To get the boat on the trailer I must get it DEEP in the water, then the stern is all over the place. Has anyone installed guides on the trailer to keep the stern in positon while loading?

You need to just practice with the trailer. Take note of the trailer depth when it just floats and pull the trailer back out about 6 inches. Put a mark on the trailer that you can judge the correct depth with. As you drive up centered on the trailer, get off the throttle and the correct speed will center the boat and bring you up within a foot of the bow roller, hook on the winch and pull her up the rest of the way. You need to practice and then it will become second nature. I don't have side bunks on my trailer but am thinking of adding them only because of the strong winds that I have to deal with pretty regularly. I will be using a 2" trailer hitch receptacle and will build bunks that will slide in with pins.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I am in similar situation. The ramp we use is pretty steep. As a result, its tough to float on. My wife comes in and lets off the throttle to let it glide as far as it will go. I hook the strap and she gives it some throttle while I crank the winch up. Kind of a pain, but other than totally submerging the trailer (which causes bow to bow roller problems) its the only way for us to load at this ramp.


By the way - welcome to the forum. Where do you boat? Pics?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

You could add a power winch to your trailer as well as adding something to make your bunks more slick. I know a lot of people use Pam Cooking Spray.

On our 248,we coast on and then crank it as high as it can go... Sometimes I will have to jump back in the truck andback it up a tad... On steep ramps that might not be a good thing though.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)