trailer loading-recovery |
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93skivancouver
Newbie Joined: September-05-2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Posted: September-05-2006 at 10:58am |
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Anyone out there have this problem? I have a 93 ski nautique and a single axle nautique trailer with the single turnbuckle. If the ramp is not perfectly level (they usually never are) the boat never sits evenly between the fenders on the trailer. As much as we try to push it over as we drive up the ramp it is simply too heavy. Any hints on loading the boat when using uneven ramps? Thanks!
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bkhallpass
Grand Poobah Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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If you are going to move it manually, don't do it while on the upslope. If anything, push while the boat is on a down slope (bow down). I don't have an uneven ramp, but still the boat can get off by 3 or 4 inches. I pull over the hump to the down slope. I'm always able to move the boat the 3 or 4 inches I need to center it, even by myself, and my boat is quite a bit heavier than yours. BKH
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Livin' the Dream
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joed
Senior Member Joined: May-04-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 144 |
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I normally load the boat with the trailer fenders just underwater (every ramp varies a bit). Attach and tighten the winch hook. Then if my rear end is off center, I back the trailer in a few more inches and center it while my wife pulls us out. Works great if you've got 2 people. Hope that helps.
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Darrel
Senior Member Joined: June-16-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 340 |
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Dont try to push it, stop it and rock it use its own weight to help you.
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Barracuda
Moderator Group Joined: November-17-2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 998 |
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Get a couple guys to help- rock it, one, two, three and you should be centered. It's really that easy to move it over on the trailer (86 SN)
-Brad |
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Atmspltr
Senior Member Joined: May-04-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 170 |
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Your boats are obviously too big...just get a 16' boat and one person can manhandle it around. I'd be glad to trade the 16' Mustang for one of your heavy, cumbersome Nautiques...any takers?
RB |
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scottb
Senior Member Joined: July-05-2006 Location: Bolingbrook, IL Status: Offline Points: 376 |
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Sometimes I can center my boat on the trailer by turning the rudder all the way to one side and giving it a little gas while it is on the trailer. Otherwise, the boat usually centers itself on the trailer on the way home. One or two bumps in the road and it's close to where it needs to be.
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bkhallpass
Grand Poobah Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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Yes, rocking is a better term than pushing. BKH
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Livin' the Dream
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NAUTI84
Senior Member Joined: June-10-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 485 |
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On my 84 w/ the #3 trailer
While Bunks & Boat are still wet, I simply drive a short distance and hit brakes hard. Mine will slide into the nose stops and settle itself perfectly on the bunks. Not sure if a 93 will work the same? |
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boat dr
Grand Poobah Joined: June-27-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4245 |
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often wondered how we have the best engineered ski boats in the world,steering,power to weight ratio,fit and finish and good looks to complete the package.then you try to load it on this pitiful excuse for a trailer......take a look at any of the drive on trailers at the ramp ,Ranger,Magic Tilt,Etc.the side boards and large,2x8 or 2x10 bunks can easily added to any C/C trailer. mine has 4 2x10 bunks W/guide boards power her off ,power her on,no matter what the ramp angle or its tilt.............boat dr
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5778 |
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I use Scottb's method and never really have a problem, if I do a few bumps on the way home and it's centered.
I also have a #3 trailer and that's a good fit for the older boats. I suspect that newer boats may have more of a problem because of the range of trailer brands that different dealers put underneath them. They all have to be adjusted where the old Correct Craft trailers were pretty much drive on and go. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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The Dude
Platinum Member Joined: October-19-2004 Location: Houston Status: Offline Points: 1334 |
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I've got a Dorsey trailer under mine and loading and unloading is super easy. We unload and load faster than anyone at the ramp (AND WE DON'T PREP IT IN FRONT OF THE RAMP EITHER!!!)...I guess I have a pet peeve or something.
I have a buddy that built boat trailers in the northwest for 30 years. He always warns me that I should use tie downs on my boat. He says--and this makes sense--you never want your boat bouncing on the trailer. But my boat centers on the trailer without tiedowns too. But above reminded me that maybe that's not the best. Do you guys use tie downs or not on yours? |
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Mullet Free since 93
95 Sport |
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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93 Ski,
My 93' had a Ram-Lin/CC trailer that if not loaded perfectly centered it would just about end up on top of the fender, the hull was a very tight fit. What I would do is like mentioned above when loading turn rudder as required to center boat, then while you are being pulled out slow and steady watch the distance from the trailer guides to rub rail, if a bit off just push or pull from the guide to re-center the boat. Also as mentioned, do not pull in to far, I would leave the tops of the fenders exposed if possible. |
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Morfoot
Grand Poobah Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5320 |
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Dude,
Roger that on (WE DON'T PREP IT IN FRONT OF THE RAMP EITHER!!!)... I use tie downs on mine as I made the mistake of spraying down the bunks with silicon spray. It worked to good as I used to just power out of the ramp but the boat slid right off onto the ramp.OUCH!!! Anyway, I use two straps to secure the stern to the trailer. I just wrap the strap over the outer two brackets where the platform meets the hull and around the trailer. It does work as the boat doesn't slide back and forth on the "slick" carpet on those turns. |
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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Barracuda
Moderator Group Joined: November-17-2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 998 |
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Dude- no tie downs- maybe a good idea though.
I don't have any place to anchor tie downs to the boat back there. Maybe one strap that mounts to the trailer near the lights and goes up and over the boat above the back seat? thanks. -Brad |
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21169 |
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Brad, thats how I currently tie down for longer trips. Another option would be to go from the back of the trailer, up through the platform brackets and back down.
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GottaSki
Grand Poobah Joined: April-21-2005 Location: NE CT Status: Online Points: 3357 |
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Yes, You don't want the trailer bouncing up when the boat is falling down, stress is minimized when they move as a pair.
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"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."
River Rat to Mole |
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Barracuda
Moderator Group Joined: November-17-2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 998 |
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Good idea Tim. |
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scottb
Senior Member Joined: July-05-2006 Location: Bolingbrook, IL Status: Offline Points: 376 |
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I use a gunnel strap to tie down the rear of my boat, and it still bounces a little while driving down the road.
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Bob's2001
Senior Member Joined: March-28-2005 Location: Lake Jackson TX Status: Offline Points: 241 |
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I use a couple of ratchet straps from the trailer, over gunnel and to the rear lift ring.
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Bob Ed
83 2001 |
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roadkingpuck
Groupie Joined: October-05-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 61 |
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I have a 90 Nautique and the ramp we use is deeper in the middle than on the edges. The ramp is wide enough for two boats to be launched at the same time. What we do to help get the boat on straight is as follows: a$$ume we are using the right side of the ramp as we are looking from the tow vehicle. We start by backing the trailer in straight. Just before the trailer fender closest to the middle (deepest part of ramp)is almost covered with water, I turn the trailer away from the edge of the ramp and toward the center of the ramp. The result is that the trailer wheels closest to the edge are going into deeper water faster than are the trailer wheels closer to the middle. The result is that the trailer is aimed toward the middle of the ramp; but the wheels and trailer fenders are level and the boat goes on the trailer straight. For any ramp, you just turn the trailer slightly toward the deep part of the ramp and the boat will usually go on straight. If I was a little more savvy with downloading/uploading pics, I would post a pic or diagram.
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jhatem
Newbie Joined: June-09-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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I have two problems. My boat fits below the fenders when it is on the trailer. My ramp is so steep that the top of the fenders are under water if the trailer is in deep enough for the boat to settle forward enough. The boat can drift over and settle on top of the fenders if you are not careful. The guides are not narrow enough to stop this. So far, I have been in the water guiding the boat as it comes out of the water. Also, when the stern settles down and the bow comes up as the trailer and boat are pulled out of the water, the tension on the attached turnbuckle increases to the point where I am concerned about the bow eye.
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'97 196
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5778 |
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You can't tighten that turnbuckle until the boat is out of the water, I just hook mine incase theboat wants to slide back although it never has. I also think you are backing in too far, Try it a little shallower and power the boat up, it should go right up. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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rmcdonald
Groupie Joined: December-30-2005 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 71 |
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Hi All
If you are ever going to get a trailer custom made its worth checking out the following Web site for ideas. Easytow The Company is in Australia so it does not help you guys out in getting one made by them. They specialise in Ski Boat trailers and have some really good ideas for any who wants steal them & have your local trailer company replicate it. Regards Rob |
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cisom
Newbie Joined: April-23-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 21 |
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If you're having problems centering your boat, you have the trailer too deep. Dunk the trailer in order to get the bunks wet. Pull up until the front third of your bunks are out of the water. Drive the boat up, it'll center itself.
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Mojoman
Senior Member Joined: October-31-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 553 |
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AMEN.... Thanks Cisom !!! This is the problem most people have... The trailer's are of the Drive-up variety.. The boat needs to center itself and be powered on.. Keep the stern from floating around!!! Very easy, even if the ramp angles.. that's why the rubber pads are on the insides of the fenders.. Dunk-1/3rd out-drive on-secure with roap or chain-rag down-sinch up with turnbuckle, get home... Happy boating everyone.... Moj' |
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75 Tique
Grand Poobah Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6121 |
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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5778 |
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Now that's a courtious(sp) boater, he pulled over to let the pedestrian cross. |
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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Mojoman
Senior Member Joined: October-31-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 553 |
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Oops, I forgot the parrallel parking part hahahahaha......
Moj' Nice pic !!!! |
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2_Nautiques
Senior Member Joined: March-22-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 251 |
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cisom got it right, most people back the trailer way too deep no matter what boat they are loading. I back in just far enough to be able to load to the trailer bumper with quit a bit of power. Then the "smoking hot wife" drives the vehical out as I continue to push the trailer up the ramp with the boat. Helps the vehical get started up the ramp and also keeps the boat up against the bumper, also sounds real cool when the exhaust is out of the water. I do this with both the 88 ski and the 23' cuddy. Don't tie them off unless traveling very far down the road. I am in and out before the other boaters and there fancy trailers even begin to get loaded.
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