schoolsOut wrote:
GottWhat wrote:
So many people back their trailer into the water way too far.
So, how far do you guys back in? I usually back in until the side bunks on my FW trailer are just under water. When loading, I also make sure that the front of my forward bunks are just under water. Sometimes this has me pretty far in with my Tahoe. Bumper almost to water level. Today, at Raystown Lake in western PA, I used a ramp that was pretty flat and was about up to my bumper when loading. Boat went on nicely without having to winch too hard. Just wondering if maybe I am going too deep.
For launching, I put the trailer back enough so that the stern is touching the water. For hauling, I put the trailer in so the back pair of rollers is wet, usually this covers 3/4 of the fenders. Most of my use is for salt water, so roller trailers are best if you trailer often, because touching any part of the vehicle into the water will rot it out quickly. Steel trailers are rare sights indeed. Galvanized is the norm. Most ramps around here have a decent angle on them so it gets deep quickly without needing to get trailer too far into water before stern is floating. Many also have docks alongside ramp, so you can back trailer down within inches of the dock, the stern floats with the fenders still above water, and you are able to easily get boat off without putting the whole rig into the water. Most ramps are concrete with 45 degree diagonally running grooves for traction. I have galvanized steel uprights with 2" PVC uprights and LED light kits on top of poles so lights are not submerged.
While on the south side we have a 3-4' tide, the north side (Cape Cod Bay up to Boston) has a 10-11' tide, so making sure traction is maintained is vital. I only know 1 guy that pulls with a 4X2 truck and he has a 20' Boston Whaler cuddy. I wouldn't do it. Always put it in 4X4 when on ramp for reasons stated by Lou and others. At least it's locked in gear when in park.
Boat Ramp in Hyannis Harbor where I normally put in

Sesuit Harbor, Dennis (ironically with a Four Winns Sundowner, same vintage as mine, in Googled photo)

_________________
1988 215 Sundowner 5.7L OMC
