Launch of Vista 278

Comda · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2010 8:06 am

I am about to launch my 2006 Vista 278 from a trailer. I have a 4WD and a standard FW trailer (gator hyde).

Is it not a bit difficult to get it off the trailer since the boat is not resting on "wheels"?

Any input is appreciated. The best would be if you have a link to any video showing this on YouTube.

Regards, Rolf (from Sweden)

millhaven_nice_guy · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2010 9:05 am

Rolf
Welcome to iFourWinns!

The procedure of launching your boat from a trailer is easy. I would recommend that you back the trailer down the ramp until the outdrive can be submerged, start the engine, wait for a minute or two for warmup then disconnect the bow strap from the winch and back the trailer in a little further until you float off. Retrieving is opposite. You just need to practice, it will become second nature before you know it.

Flyer51 · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2010 10:49 am

I would echo what Millhaven said but want to make sure you saw the part about unhooking the bow strap. Do not unhook it until the engine has warmed up and you are ready to go. You will be amazed at how easily that 278 can slide off if your not hooked up to the trailer.

I have found the easiest way to load my 278 is under power. Winching it up does not seem to work all that well at least at my ramp but I only do it a couple times a season.

LazyCAT · **Posted:** Fri May 21, 2010 11:39 am

We keep going in reverse until either the boat floats or the truck tires reach the water. If the latter it is a small push into the water. The previous owner had too small a truck (Nissan Titan) and backing down the ramp was an adventure. He had to go down bit by bit and everytime he hit the brakes, it would slide down a few extra inches. I think that's how trucks end up in the water. It is the one reason we don't keep the bow strap on but I do worry about the boat coming off early.

We've only had problems with retrieval one time at extremely low tide and bald tires.

+1 on the practice part, the ramp determines what is best.

Comda · **Posted:** Sun May 23, 2010 3:43 am

Thanks guys - I followed your advice. It was really easy. I backed down till the outdrive was submerged, started the engine and it easily came of the trailer!!!

I was really worried about this before I started, but much easier than I thought. Thanks for your good advice.

Best regards, Rolf

Guinnydog · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 1:33 pm

How about retrieving your boat and putting it back on the trailer?

With my Sundowner, my wife would back the trailer into the water and I would drive the boat onto the trailer, lift the leg, climb over the bow and winch it the rest of the way onto the trailer, and the wife would pull it ahead.

Now with the 278 Vista, it is along way up to climb off of the bow. My ramp is fairly steep and this boat weighs quite a bit more than the SD did, so I am not comfortable with my wife leaving the cab of the truck to winch the boat onto the trailer. Plus, I am not sure she could.

How are the rest of you guys retrieving?

Rod

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 1:45 pm

Just exit the swim platform onto the dock and winch it up yourself. Just like you would with a solo launch and retrieve on any trailered boat.

Guinnydog · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 1:46 pm

Getting to the dock from the boat while sitting on the trailer is not an option.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 1:53 pm

Guinnydog wrote:

Getting to the dock from the boat while sitting on the trailer is not an option.

Explain

Buoy Howdy · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 2:07 pm

Many folks with cruisers will power load, that is once you are on the bunks give it a bit of gas to ease up the the rollers. Once you are good at it, you can do it all in one smooth motion. It is also important to make sure that you have the trailer far enough in the water. We usually back until the rear wheels of the tow vehicle are at the waters edge.

There is an active thread on this topic.

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5647

Guinnydog · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 2:13 pm

There are large bolders piled around the pilings that the "fixed" dock sits on, to stop errosion. It is probably at least 6 feet from the dock to the boat when it is on the trailer. And that is if you are in one of the end launch ramp spots, and not in the 2 middle spots.

Guinnydog · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 2:18 pm

Quote:

Many folks with cruisers will power load, that is once you are on the bunks give it a bit of gas to ease up the the rollers. Once you are good at it, you can do it all in one smooth motion. It is also important to make sure that you have the trailer far enough in the water. We usually back until the rear wheels of the tow vehicle are at the waters edge.

Buoy Howdy, this is what I have done in the past and will do in the future with the new boat. My concern is getting off the boat and securing the winch strap before my wife pulls the boat out of the water. Not sure I am comfortable having my wife leaving the cab of the truck to hook up the strap due to the steepness of the ramp and the weight of the boat/trailer. Also, if the boat is not completly snugged up on the trailer, not sure if the wife could crank the boat up tight.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed May 26, 2010 3:19 pm

I launch it just like I launched my 225. Its a bit of a climb over the bow though, and you need to step on the winch post just right or you'll fall off.

Ramps near me have the courtsey docks off to the side, so you can't just step off the swim platform and on them.

Buoy Howdy · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 6:00 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

I launch it just like I launched my 225. Its a bit of a climb over the bow though, and you need to step on the winch post just right or you'll fall off.

Ramps near me have the courtesy docks off to the side, so you can't just step off the swim platform and on them.

I've done the same on my 268. It's not very graceful but it gets you off the boat. As far as the ramp slope is concerned, I would be surprised if the boat weight would pull your tow vehicle back with the transmission in park and the parking brake set, even more so if it is a 4wd. Experiment with that the next time you are on the ramp and you may gain enough comfort in the situation that your wife can leave the cab to help out. Winching up the last few inches is not a big deal. You can always help with a little throttle. Of course an extra set of hands from a friend would always be helpful if one is around.

www.iFourWinns.com

Launch of Vista 278

Who is online