Launching with roller trailer

stevej · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 10:17 am Post subject:

Steve I launch and load my 25' solo all the time. Trick is finding a good ramp with a dock. Trailer bunkers make the loading job much easier and as long as the trailer is level on the ramp I've never had a problem with the boat sitting crooked on the trailer.

Towing a 27' with a 1/2 ton not sure about, I towed Shearwater around for the frist few years with a diesel powered Tahoe but it was a beefy 1/2 ton. Came with the 3/4 ton tranny (4l80E), cooling system several other mods because of the diesel option and was a pretty good tow rig for Shearwater.
Have a 2500 HD Chevy with a Duramax now, as they say you can almost forget you have 6500 plus pounds of boat and trailer behind you.

stevej

Jon - CLou · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:45 pm Post subject:

Steve, very good point on the level ramps with a bunk trailer. I live in a area where some of the launch ramps are really un-even, and it makes it almost impossible to get the boat on straight. I have the slick bunks and it will slide to one side or the other if the ramp isn't even. So, know your ramp before you launch.
Jon

DaveS · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:58 am Post subject:

Pat,
After some quick research in the "site" search engine I found this old thread that has several "single hand" launching and retrieving suggestions. See page 1 of this thread. I remembered that we had discussed this some time ago.

Mighty Bite · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:28 pm Post subject:

Easy and safe solution for launching a boat with a roller trailer is to use
a substantial SS Snap Shackle. I leave the winch strap tight and the
safety chain on as well as the snap shackle to the bow eye. Back down
the ramp to launch position, remove the safety chain, slowly back off
the winch(Fulton T3700) to the point where the snap shackle is
supporting the weight and the winch strap is loose, unhook the winch strap, then pull the pin on the snap shackle with the short attaches line
and voila', the good ship rolls smoothly off the trailer. I have even been
known to remember to attach a bow line before puling the pin. Not
paying attention to the latter will almost always create a humorous
atmosphere at the launching site.

This system makes launching with a roller trailer almost too easy.

Enjoy Wink

Sea Angel · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject:

I had an 18' SeaRay OB on a roller trailer for 16yrs and I used the method that Mike addressed. I always checked how warm my wheel hubs were before I placed them in the water.

I found that I could replace the tow line with a longer piece that allowed me to go abt 4' beyond the end of the trailer, fully extended. I don't know how that would play out with the strap setups or the smaller winches. I did change to a power winch that would allow for this because it would use a pulley hook, thus double lines to be wrapped on the drum, to connect to the bow eye. ( I could actually go abt 16' beyond the trailer first rollers.)

With the longer wrinch cable/line I could always maintain control of the boat with a bow, stern and winch line attached. All the lines were long enough so I could work this single-handed by securing the bow & stern line to a dock or pier before I reverse winched boat backing into the water. I could then disconnect the bow eye hook from either the boat or dock. I never lost control of the boat.

I should note that all the ramps I did use had a bulkhead, fixed or floating dock beside the launch ramp.

If I were to go back to a trailer I would go back to the roller trailer. I have seen some combo units, but that is for another time and more thought. Right now, I am thankful that I don't have to wait in line while a 'newbee' is tying up the ramp trying to practice backing, etc., on those hot humid days we get here. AND the line forms at the rear for those launching while retrievers wait.

Art

Art