Trailer Loading

[tigeone]

Well I have to admit I have never owned a boat before.My biggest fear is loading it back on the trailer.Not only do I worry about damaging something but I live in AZ and the lakes are always busy.I also don`t want to look like a complete idot.Any tips on loading would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[poohpotta]

Tigeone - I owned only one boat before my Tige so I can relate to your apprehension. What I've found that works best is to get a nice, long run at the trailer. I usually start around the no-wake buoys at my dock, which is about 150ft back. Taking the wakeboards off the racks and storing the bimini is also advisable in windy conditions.

[jeffro]

DON'T RUSH IT!

if you're gonna miss, circle around and go at it again.

don't worry about anyone else, be mindful of what you are doing and who is around you, BUT above all, take your time and protect your investment.

as pooh says, get a good long lineup on it. Another thing to do is "bump" the throttle from neutral to idle speed (sorta like off on, off on). Rather than keeping it in idle speed and cruising into your trailer, by bumping it you can slowly drift onto your trailer, when you bump the throttle that allows you to steer when you need to make corrections. and gives you a slower speed to get on the trailer without barging into the guide poles or sides of your boat.

[rob_and_trish]

lol - I feel your pain!!

The first time my wife and I ever took our first boat was on Memorial day - talk about nerves!
Thanks god we parked it like old pros!

A few things that may help...

1. Like what was said above - get long start at it and bump the throttle.

2. try to pratice on a non crowed day.
Drop it in after work and make a few runs at it. Or find a bouy and pratice taking runs using it as a marker for 1 side.

3. Relax and dont worry about the other people - its not their boat.

4. try to dock on non peak times. At our lake at least - on the weekends the docks peak between 9am and 11am, 4pm and 6pm and again about 8:30pm w/ everyone pulling out.

5. have a system - know whos driving the boat and whos pulling the trailer down. Know were to get dropped off on the dock.
Also - pratice backing that bad boy up.

6. Know there is no reverse steering - go to a cove and look which way you go when you go in reverse. Realize that when you need to correct when going into the dock.

Good Luck

Good luck.

[NICKYPOO]

Go and get yourself a boating safety hand book. You should be able to track one down through your local fish and game deptartment. Make yourself aware of the rules of the boat ramp.

Have a plan. Use it every time. Practice makes perfect. Mine works like this.
Launching. Get the boat 100% ready before pulling onto the ramp. This includes bilge plug,bimini deployment, boards in the racks, tiedown straps, any items going in the boat for the day stowed in there place, blower on, bilge plug, battery check, bilge plug. It's always a good idea to open the motor cover and give it a quick inspection. This will also clear any fumes that might have accumulated. Put all people going in the boat in the boat. Now you are ready to launch. Back the boat down to the water line and stop. Unplug the lights and unhook the winch stap and boat buddy if you have one. Back the boat into the water far enough to get the water pickup completely submerged. Have the boat driver start the engine and give a thumbs up when all systems are go. Continue to back the boat in and have the driver back off of the trailer. Once the boat is clear, pull out and park. While your doing this, the boat driver will have the chance to warm up boat while milling about out of the way of everyone else trying to launch. Now all you have to do is jump on when the boat driver swings in to pick you up.

Retrieving. Retrieving order is determined by who has their trailer on the ramp first, not by who has their boat there first. Have the boat driver drop you off at the ramp and then go out and wait for you to get the trailer down to the water. I'm personally not a fan of a putting the bimini and all the boards away while waiting. There are to many things that can go wrong that could delay the boat being ready to get on the trailer. Yes, it will make your boat less susceptible to wind but, what happens when you get the trailer down and the people in the boat are struggling to get something done that could have been done in the tear down area. You're stuck there looking like a jack *ss with a trailer and no boat, taking up time and space. Once your trailer is in the water, get out and get ready to retrieve. Pull some length out on the winch strap so that you have plenty of slack to work with. Make sure that you put the winch back into retrieve mode so that when you connect it all you have to do is start pulling the boat up. The boat should be well on it's way to you by now with the driver making a long, smooth, striaght approach. Once the boat is within your reach, have the driver shut it down and then connect the winch strap. Crank it up, make sure the safety pin on the boat buddy is through the bow eye. Now you can pull out. I usually have everybody stay in the boat and seated untill I get to the tear down area.

Once you have all this down, it becomes a very easy process and it goes like clockwork. You can spend an hour or two at your local ramp and learn alot. You'll see people do it right and it looks easy.In and out quick smart, boom done. You'll see people do it wrong and it will take them forever, and all they do is stuggle. Efficiency is courtesy.

[raythompson]

And most importantly.

Do not be afraid to ask others for assistance. Most people in the ramp area will be more than happy to assist others as it means they can get out sooner. They will not laugh at you and in fact will be pleased that you asked for assistance.

We have seen people struggling to back a trailer down straight. After several failed attempts several of us got together and told the driver to stop. We then grabbed the back of the trailer and straightened the trailer out. They back down further and we straightened again. Other people cheered.

That is how back our waverunner trailer when it is empty. The trailer is short and is difficult to back straight as you cannot see the trailer. When it is empty I just have my wife back down while I carry the rear of the trailer and walk backwards. Looks odd but it works. People chuckle but see the wisdom of that method.

The Tige trailer is easier to back as it is longer and is visible. I doubt my waverunner method would work with the Tige trailer.

But do not be afraid or embarrased to ask for assistance.

[whitlock87]

I do it a lot like raythompson.
Only difference is that my wife will drive the boat on and off the trailer and I drive the truck.

If you will be going to lake Mohave (Katherine Landing) I would go out at night the first time. (After 10pm) This way you can practice with out any body there (maybe one or two others, but the marina is well lit as long as you do not go past the pumps. this is how my wife learned to drive the boat last year, and this year has gone much smother because of it)

You can practice both docking and loading the boat on and off the trailer

Good luck and welcome
David

[Tequilasun]

I will second (or third) the "don't be afraid to ask for help" . Last year, I backed down 3 or 4 trailers for people that just could not get it. Usually they get frustrated and things get worse. I have been approached several times and it is never a bother.

We have a system like Nickypoo and it works every time.

One note, if you don't have guide poles on your trailer, get some, that will take a lot of the fear of hitting the trailer with the boat away. All you have to do is get the nose of the boat between them and winch up (having the boat driver bump the throttle will help with the winching).

Practice.....and Maybe meet up with one of the people on here that can give you some help the first time or two.

[Tanner]

Not sure if this will work w/ the Inboard b/c I haven't picked mine up yet... but alot of the time right as I'm fixing to hit the trailer I drop the boat in reverse so as to cut down on my momentum. I don't gas it, I just drop it into reverse. This normally gets me close enough to winch it in the rest of the way and then I have no problems w/ ramming the boat stops. Works like a charm. :)

[David]

Reversing is never a smart thing to do with an inboard. If you get a ways up, and reverse it, you have the chance of catching the prop on the side of the trailer since it will back up to the right.

I will go pretty far out and get in a straight line, with my head over the walkway so I can get a feel for the middle of the boat and where I'm headed. I try to keep it in gear all the way so I can steer easily, but sometimes I'll click in and out on a windy day or something.

[raythompson]

Right on about using power to back off. This is what happened to my prop. Cost $110.00 to get the prop fixed. I have yet to fix the bunk that was chewed half way through. I have the carpet, need to get the wood, mount the carpet, then take the boat to the lake and replace the bunk.

Not only was the damage done to the prop and the trailer, but when I climbed out of the boat into the lake I stepped on the wheel fender and promptly slipped into the water. Now I was soaked, and my shin bone was badly bruised.

Before think I am a total fool, after 20+ years owning a boat my wife and I are pretty decent at loading and unloading. The problem with the Tige is that it got sideways on the trailer. I can normally load without getting out of the boat. Not this time. I am still learning the quirks about the inboard oddities in handling, which is much different than a stern drive.

So yeh, it can happen to anyone. It is a humbling experience, and hopefully a learning experience. Don't have to hit me twice with the stupid stick. Next time it gets sideways, I will just get wet and not use power to resolve the issue.

Prop damage. (http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=1432)

[Tanner]

Well that's good info to know. Luckily (well not really... but in this case it is) the last two months I have been w/o reverse on my old boat. So I've definately become pretty adept at boating w/o reverse at all :)

[Tequilasun]

Last night at the ramp I watched a guy with a pretty interesting technique:

1: He backed the trailer down the ramp and dunked the bunks under the water.

2: He pulled the trailer back up the ramp until the front bunks were out of the water and the rear bunks were still underwater.

3: His buddy nosed the boat between the rear bunks as the driver let out a lot of winch strap.

4: They throttled the boat in and took the slack out of the winch strap, until the boat was about half on the the trailer, but still floating well.

5: The driver got back in the truck and backed the trailer down to its original position with all the bunks under the water.

6.: The driver then got out and winched the boat the rest of the way up.

Not quite the most efficient method, but it will work. Maybe try it the first couple of times until you are comfortable.

[joe8395]

I think the most important thing is to take your time and don't pussyfoot the thing. Put the boat where you want it to go...commit to the idea and go with it.

[NICKYPOO]

I will go pretty far out and get in a straight line, with my head over the walkway so I can get a feel for the middle of the boat and where I'm headed.


That's is a very good point. If your sitting at the helm and your looking across the tip of the bow, you are naturally going to be coming in at an angle. Try to make a reference point from the top of the dash to a point on the tailgate when you are launching. Use the same reference points when you are lining up your approach. Try to picture where your body needs to end up as opposed to where boat needs to end up. It will feel a little strange at first but, when you get used to it, it works like a charm.

[ghollow]

One thing I learned a long time ago is that if you hold your steering wheel in your tow vehicle at the bottom instead of the top it makes it easier to back a trailer. I do not know why but it seems to help.

[jsz]

a 21v was my first boat and i was very nervous about getting it around all the launch ramp traffic and on the trailer staight. I heard the stories of inboards veing very difficult. A couple things that helped me were
- making (and laminating) a launch/load list of all the things mentioned in this post and having it out every time i launch or load.
- bought a cheap pair of 2 way radios to comunicate w/ whoever gets my trailer. then you can get out of the way of everyone else while you wait and just have him radio you when he is next in line on the ramp.
- bought an 8 ft pole that collapses to 4 ft and has a hook and soft tip on the end. good for grabbing the dock if you're having a hard time getting close. also good for pushing other boats away that are out of control and heading your way. sold at boating supply stores.

[scottie4421]

I agree with most of what's been said. I have one more tip to add. This applies to both backing the trailer down and loading the boat.

Don't make very big adjustments with the steering wheel.

When backing a trailer down, make small adjustments with the wheel and it'll be much easier to back it straight down. Of couse if you need to cut it, you'll need to turn the wheel a lot. But if you're just backing straight down...make small adjustments and take it slow.

When loading the boat....start way out as others have said, and if you get off line a little, make a small correction with the steering wheel. It will take a few moments for the boat to react, so be patient and reverse well before you hit the trailer if you can't get it lined up. If you make big adjustments with the steering wheel, you'll get the @ss end of the boat swinging around and back and forth and it'll be near impossible to hit the trailer right on.

Good luck and relax...the only reason people may laugh is because they've been there before. I guarantee you any boat owner has had learning days and many adventures at the ramp.

[joe8395]

Just don't do this -

http://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2005-8-12/FFS-2591.htm

[TeamAllen]

All I can say is 4WD.

[scootc]

Here's something that helped my wife practice. We went out to the edge of the no-wake area, and she practiced slowly driving up to, then backing away from a buoy just before touching it. This was an excellent way to learn how to maintain a straight, controlled approach. A few times we bumped into it - which was no big deal. This was also good practice for dropping someone off at the dock. You can practice all day without getting in the way or damaging your boat (or pride:D ).

[raythompson]

Originally posted by TeamAllen
All I can say is 4WD. 4WD will not stop you from sliding backwards anymore than a 2WD. There are still brakes on all four wheels and if they don't hold on the ramp 4WD is not going to help.

[TeamAllen]

God point, Ray. I was thinking about the part in the article, where it suggesed not to put your wheels in the water at all. With 4WD you could have your front tires out and rear tires in and still have traction. I forgot the guy left the vehicle unattended and it slid in. The e brake wouldn't help at all beacause they are only on the rears. We need front emergency brakes now. I've never seen a ramp that slippery.
I have only had problems getting traction when I'm pulling the boat and trailer out. Usually because the water level on the lake is low and your vehicle is on gravel. That's where the 4WD helps. Not neccessary, but helps.

[BrentRR]

I just want to be clear on what you 'seasoned veterans' consider the best way to load the boat on the trailer. I have a '05 24V and when the dealer showed me how to load, he basically drove the boat all the way up to the roller. It sounds like a number of you recommend only getting the boat on the bunks enough to hold it and then use the winch.

I just want to be sure I am not doing anything wrong...

Thanks.

[scootc]

We put the trailer in the water deep enough to float all the way up, but shut the engine off when the boat is about half on - then pull it the rest of the way by hand. It only takes a small freak wave to push you sideways and run the prop into the trailer.

[Tequilasun]

BrentRR,

You can do it either way. Most people winch at least a little bit. The last few times we've just winched the last foot or so.

[rpaxton]

I am having problems determining how deep I should set the trailer when retrieving my Tiege 22i. The dealer set it fairly shallow then used the motor to push his way up the trailer. I have been setting it deeper, but either way I have problems with the bow roller being taller then the bow as I try to winch the boat up. I make sure that the bilge is pumeped and move any weight in the boat (people, coolers, etc) to the stern.

Any thoughts on how deep the trailer should be set?

Rodger

[rob_and_trish]

I back my trailer in until the water is just below the fender on the trailer.
If I go too deep and the fender goes under - just pull fwd a bit.

Once its ready - the wife pulls the boat on - I hook the winch to the front hook and crank her as far as I can go - then she moves it fwd until the front hook is touching the front trailer wheel.

She then cuts the engine - I attache the saftey chain to the front hook - I pull out. Dry the boat off and attach the rear tie downs.

Thats pretty much it.

[joe8395]

Don't do this either -

http://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2005-8-19/FFS-2629.htm


It's been a rough couple weeks @ my lake for trucks with boats...I don't have any problems with my Tahoe at this ramp not sure what the deal is with these knuckleheads.

This is kind of interesting to me as well -

http://www.thefridayflyer.com/FF-2005-8-19/FFS-2626.htm

This ramp is on the other side of the lake and I've used the ramp a hand full of times this year...I wonder how close my prop has come to the roof.

[rpaxton]

Rob,

Which boat and trailer are you using. I have tried going shallow like you describe, but it is almost impossible to get the boat on the trailer.

Also, what kind of safety chain do you have? My trailer was never equipped with one for the boat itself. Sounds like a really good idea though. I have worried what would happen if the strap broke. :(

Can you send some pics of how it attaches to your trailer? I can probably get someone to weld one on for me.

Thanks!

Rodg

[rob_and_trish]

rpaxton,

I have an 03 - 22v w/ a dorsey trailer.

Ill snap some pics and post them later tonight showing the saftey chain.

[rpaxton]

Im running a 2000 22i with a tandem axle roadmaster trailer.

We just got back from the lake and putting the front bunkers just underwater and winching the boat up seems to be working the best.

Thanks for all of your help. Im curious to see those pics with the safety chain. Definately a good idea, and one that I will add to this trailer since it gets pulled about 300 - 600 miles per month.

Rodg

[rob_and_trish]

Here is a pic of the chain.
There is a loop on the trailer - I just put a chain and hook on it just in case that strap ever snaps.
The main lake we go is about a 1/2 hr a way so we tow quite a bit in a month.
I figure between that and the tie downs inthe back we should be pretty safe.

[rpaxton]

Rob,

Thanks for posting this pic. I will definately be adding this to my trailer!

Rodg

[raythompson]

Your strap probably has a higher breaking strength than the chain, especially when shock loads are involved. And remember that is not a complete chain but has two links that are threaded. The weak point is that bow eye. It will rip loose or break before the chain or the strap break. But if it makes you feel better than go ahead.

If you really want to secure you would run a strap from one point on the side of the trailer, around the back of the boat (through the lift eyes on the transom) and up to a tie point on the other side. But that would look dorky.

Between trailer bunk friction and the tensile strength (in excess of 5K pounds) of the strap your boat is not coming off the trailer in any driving where you vehicle is going to stay upright and in control.

[rob_and_trish]

Totally agree w/ the strength thing - but its more of just a back up thing.

I have straps on the back of the boat as well for saftey.

I guess I was thinking if somehow the strap failed at the hook (rubbing w/ say frayed the strap at the connection - but i think I would notice that) or if say the winch itself came loose.

More of just peace of mind for myself I guess.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by rob_and_trish
More of just peace of mind for myself I guess. Then that alone makes it valuable.

I have been pulling a boat for 21+ years and my friends all have boats that have been towed excessively. Also in TN probably more than half the people have boats because of the abundance of fresh water lakes.

I do have to tell that I have seen one boat abandon it's trailer. It was a pontoon boat that slid sideways off the trailer while the owner was making a turn at an intersection at a high speed. The bow strap was still attached so the boat did not come off completely. Many people stopped and looked at the boat trying to decide what to do as the intersection was blocked. About 20 folks got together and lifted the boat back onto the trailer.

The trailer was homemade (as was the boat) and did not properly support and cradle the pontoon boat. A few dents in the boat was all that happened and matched the dents in the tow vehicle. Guy tossed his beer in the back of the truck and left after the boat was loaded. I think he was loaded also.

[drewsnyder]

my boat came with a strap instead of a chain, has anyone ever had their tige slide off the trailer?

[scootc]

As heavy as a Tige is, I would think if it ever "slid" off the trailer, I probably have other more serious things going on!!

[NICKYPOO]

If you ever did have more serious things going on though, at least your Tige wouldn't be laying on the ground.

[Tequilasun]

Never have seen a Tige come off a trailer, but I have seen a Bass boat, a Cuddy cabin, PWC and Big Cruiser that have fallen off trailers.

The Cruiser was a commercial hauler who hit a ditch in some really high winds. Not too much damage to the boat.

The PWC wasn't strapped on at all, and fell off the back of the trailer under hard acceleration.

The cuddy actually passed the tow rig in route to crashing into an on comming car. The tow rig apparently was involved in some sort of high speed manuver.

The bass boat slid up on a hill side. Not really sure how or if it was attached.

All these happend in pretty extreme conditions i.e. during wrecks Except the PWC, that guy was just an idiot


Oh, none of those was me, but I do know the PWC guy.

[ghollow]

I like to back my trailer down to where the top of the fender is barely out of the water. Run the boat up on the bunks, leave it in gear and winch it up to the roller. It makes it much easier to winch up with the motor helping push the boat. The way my trailer is set up, there is no way for my prop to hit the trrailer unless the trailer is backed in way too deep. I have a 22i with a Road Runner trailer.

[talltigeguy]

Sorry to be contrary, but I think there are important reasons you need to use your straps when towing.

The idea that the friction on the bunks will hold the boat on has got to be the worst idea I've ever heard. I've had the boat slide forward (both on purpose and accident) on the trailer when I tap the brakes. I know of many people who will do this on purpose if they didn't get the boat close enough on the ramp. A firm tap on the brakes and you'll feel the boat slip forward.

The argument that you have worse problems than the boat straps if you need them makes no sense whatsoever. Yes, in a severe accident even the boat straps will be useless. There are many accidents where you may have just needed a small amount of extra protection.

Would this boat have done this if his back straps were on? If the back straps were on, then it likely is what saved the boat from going all the way over the front of the truck.

[SummerObsession]

It is interesting that many people have slightly different techniques even loading their boat.

My wife and I have come up with a routine that works well for us we have developed through the ownership of four different boats and 6 different PWC's (I know-the kids love them) in as many years.

We have learned that our loading technique should vary depending upon conditions.
When there are waves from either traffic or higher winds, she will keep the trailer out of the water a little more than if it is very calm. This allows the boats to ride on the bunks earlier, lessening the chances of a wave or wind pushing the boat off the bunks. After hooking up the strap, she will back further down in the water while I use just a slight amount of power to push the boat fully on the trailer. Powering the boat on completely will wear the carpet (especially if it is dry!) quickly, so we have learned to dunk the trailer as far as possible first, then she pulls out of the water to the proper level. This also helps straighten out the trailer in case it is slightly off course.

[talltigeguy]

Here is the pic I'm referring to:

[talltigeguy]

On an unrelated matter, the website wouldn't let me upload the picture because I used it in a similar thread 6 months ago stating that it was a duplicate picture. I changed the name thinking that would fix it, but it didn't. Finally I had to invert the image to get it to upload (hence, the ryder logo in the background is backwards).

If it's a different thread, I should be able to upload the same image, shouldn't I?

[Matt Garcia]

talltigeguy, its probably a setting in the forums that I need to set. Ill change it for future use.

[Tequilasun]

That boat is on there so well, it looks intentional. If there was another boat on the trailer, I would thought it was just another redneck doing some "figurin".

Kinda like "I just bought this boat, but it didn't have no trailer, so we ran er' up in da pick-up"

[jl470]

"Redneck Trailer" is just wrong! Draginass thats too funny I would have to just walk away from that one and never go back. Let the insurance co. and the cops figure it out.

[ghollow]

I saw something similiar to that in College Station one time. It was a 25' Searay on top of a convertible Eldorado. Wish I would have had a camera.

[raythompson]

To move that boat that far, up over the front cradle, up over the bed of the truck, and then up over the cab, that truck had to come to a stop with more than the brakes on the truck. There was an impact with something in front of the truck and perhaps with the back of the boat itself. And then to keep everything in alignment so that the boat went straight forward.

I suspect that is a gimmicked picture and really did not happen from movement on the trailer. Or there is something more to the story, such as the boat was load purposely on the truck that way.

[NICKYPOO]

Wrong. Look at the front end of the truck, he obviously ran into somebody. The cab is also crushed in and part of the winch strap is still connected to the bow eye. How the hell are going to put the boat up there, hook the trailer up and park it on the freeway? Truth is often stranger than fiction.

[raythompson]

Perhaps I may be incorrect but I am not wrong. And in this case I do not think that I am incorrect.

The truck does not look like it took that much of a crash to move the boat that far. The energy that would be required to move that much weight that high, that distance, would certainly do more damage to a small (it looks like a Ford Ranger) pickup crashing into an obstacle that what was shown.

The crash was also to the right front of the truck as that is where the most damage is found. This would have deflected the rear of the truck to the left (especially on a light truck) and the trailer would have gone to the left. This would make it very difficult for the boat to travel straight onto the top of the truck.

I have seen a couple of trailer crashes and the trailer has never stayed that straight behind the towing vehicle. That is a lot of mass that wants to keep moving.

There were other factors involved other than just the truck stopping or crashing into something. Everything is too well lined up to be believable.

[NICKYPOO]

Incorrect it shall be. To me it looks like the impact is more centered on the front end. Look at the shadow of the bumper on the ground. It looks like it was punched in by something other than the back end of a car. Almost like he hit another boat with an outboard or outdrive. Mabey his buddy. Mabey they were traveling together. Also does it look like the plate above the prop is bent? Then there is the angle of the winch stand in relation to the tailgate in relation to the cab of the truck. So traffic suddenly stops, he hits his buddy's boat because you know that little Ranger aint stopping on a dime, the vehicle behind simultaniously tags his boat and in about half a second his 1800 pound boat is on top of his truck. Ah hell, mabey we should just agree to disagree.:rolleyes:

[Tequilasun]

Truck crash (http://www2.sbsun.com/news/ci_2981894)

here's another one, not quite so lined up!!

[NICKYPOO]

Well, there you go Ray, ya got me.:rolleyes:

[Tequilasun]

Hey, I'm not picking sides!

I just think those pictures are pretty interesting.

[jl470]

How interesting is it that the current poll is "Do You Tie Down Your Transome When Towing"??

Draginass is that picture from last weekend? I sat 4 hours to go 30 miles on that stupid stretch of road Sunday.

I have to agree with Ray and Nicky. I used to work in the wrecker business and have seen boats no where near the tow rig with or without the trailer. It used to kill me because 90% of the time it involved a combination of laziness, drunkiness and, shear stupidity.
Sometimes I think an IQ test should be given before you can own/tow a boat

[raythompson]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO
Ah hell, mabey we should just agree to disagree.:rolleyes: Shucks, I thought that was the purpose, to disagree.:p

I do have to tell you, and this will hurt me, is that I have never had a flat tire in 21+ years of boating, until I got my Tige and then had a flat in the first couple of months. I have never had problems putting a boat (friends included) on a trailer, until I got my Tige, then tore a prop up and chewed partway through a bunk.

Now that the pain is over I suppose that anything is possible, even putting a boat that was not tied down on top of a truck.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO Well, there you go Ray, ya got me.:rolleyes:That was never my intention. But if that is the worst that happens to you this week you had a good week. Being "got" by me, even if it were true, is hardly something to write home about.

Your view of what happened may indeed be 100% correct and mine is 100% incorrect. It may be some ratio between the extremes or completely opposite. I was merely debating and substantiating my position without trying to offend or belittle. If I was not successful in that than I have errorred.:(

[NICKYPOO]

Naa dude, I just thought it was funny that after I tried to counterpoint your point, dragginass slaps that picture up. It's still making me chuckle. I was just playing the devil's advocate.

On a completely unrelated note, your scaring me man. I don't even think my mother is that PC, and she is widely know in this area as the most PC person on the planet. You should be telling me to take a flying f*ck at a rolling donut and if you don't like that I'll take you out back and kick your hairy *ss. You haven't offended me in the slightest. More than likely it's the other way around. In the grand scheme of things, it's all just talk, offensive or not. I must say you have a very analytical approach to these things though. Very well thought out comments. I just shoot from the hip. I usually end up with my foot in my mouth but, what the hell.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO
I usually end up with my foot in my mouth but, what the hell.With or without your shoes?

Now wouldn't that just ruin your day to have something like what was in the pictures happen to you. There are a couple of things that really scare me. One is getting into an accident with that mass of a boat behind me. The other is loosing the entire rig on the ramp. Both examples have been shown on this board. You would think that after 21+ years using a boat I would be used to that, but I am not. It still scares me and makes me uneasy.

That is why I do not tie down the back of the boat on the road. If I am going to upset my vehicle I want the boat to be following a different path, which there is a high probability of the boat doing if it is not unequivacilly bounded to a trailer that is also unequivacilly attached to my tow vehicle. You know, if A=B and B=C then A=C.

As for telling you to talk a flying f**k, naw. It is hard to fault opinions regardless of the difference in polarity from my opinion. Opinions can never be wrong. Besides, I reserve those words for other drivers in my twice daily commute.

[Tequilasun]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NICKYPOO
take a flying f*ck at a rolling donut [/QUOTE


Haaaa haaaa haaaa

That is great!

[talltigeguy]

This thread has taken a number of interesting turns.

I should comment of course that I have no personal knowledge of the circumstances of the boat on top of the truck picture I posted. I suppose it could be rigged, but I think that is highly unlikely for reasons stated above. I bet if he had his tow straps on the back the boat would have stayed on the trailer.

Ray thompson said:

"Between trailer bunk friction and the tensile strength (in excess of 5K pounds) of the strap your boat is not coming off the trailer in any driving where you vehicle is going to stay upright and in control."

then said:

"That is why I do not tie down the back of the boat on the road. If I am going to upset my vehicle I want the boat to be following a different path, which there is a high probability of the boat doing if it is not unequivacilly bounded to a trailer that is also unequivacilly attached to my tow vehicle. You know, if A=B and B=C then A=C. "

My point is that bunk friction is very weak. Do we need to see more "boat fell off the trailer on the ramp pictures?"

Ray's other point is one I'd like to hear more opinions on - I too would like that boat going somewhere else in a serious accident other than staying right behind me. The problem being most accidents are not that serious. Suppose you have to swerve into the dirt median for some reason? Or if I can brake to 25 MPH before impact? I'll likely sustain some damage, but if I don't have the rear straps on, I'll probably total the boat.

[drewsnyder]

So they are a good idea. If there was going to be a boat go on top of the truck if would be mine. Okay so i am new to owning a tige. How come you run out of gas when the fuel guage says half a tank, and then you look like a dumbass while showing off your 50k boat? I was out tonight and my son had a great time with his wake board. I said i had plenty of gas to make another run. It sucks to have a five day old boat towed in.

[djdc]

I think the politically correct version is:

Aeronautical intercourse in a rotating pastry

[raythompson]

Originally posted by talltigeguy
My point is that bunk friction is very weak.Every tried to power you boat the last foot on the trailer when the trailer is not down far enough?

Do this as an experiment. Leave your boat about 3 inches shy of the stop block, attach the strap and pull off the ramp to a level location. Now try to move that boat the final three inches using the winch or any other means that you can find such as friends pushing on the back of the boat. It will not be easy if it can be done at all.

I have had this dilema and it involved putting the boat back down the ramp and partially floating the boat to crank the boat the last three inches.

To move a boat on the trailer requires significant force. Merely stopping a vehicle is not going to be enough. It will take forces that are applied during a crash to move a boat off a trailer. And I want that boat going somewhere else besides my vehicle as the boat damage is the least of my worries.

There is more friction on the bunks than you really think there is.

[NICKYPOO]

Devil's advocate here. Say you do need to winch the boat up that last 3 inches. You hook up the stap and try to winch. That boat ain't going no where. Bunk friction? In my opinion, kind of but, when your boat is on the trailer the winch is actually pulling the nose down, if even only 1 degree. With the combination of that and the slight upslope of the bunks you are basically pulling the boat down into the bunks, as opposed to pulling it along the bunks. For this reason alone I don't think that this experiment is an accurate depiction of what your friction may or may not be. The winch strap "angle" may be different on your trailer but, mine and every boat I've ever had anything to do with pulls the boat down as well as forward.

So far as how deep to put a trailer in the water, I feel it is totally trailer specific. Most of the people responding to this drop the trailer in just untill the fenders are submerged. I drop mine in way past that. Of coarse I'm the only one responding that has a Sport Boat Trailers trailer. My Tige is also the old "Droop Snoot" hull. These factors combined mean that I have to back mine in much further in order to get the nose over the winch strap bumper. This results in my fenders being a good six inches under the water line. This is at my "home ramp" though. It's always different when you go to a different ramp due to the angle of whatever ramp you might be at. For me, I'm looking at how close I need to get the winch to the water line. How do I determine that? I guess. I go to a lot of different lake around here and they are all different. All I can say is practice, practice, practice. After a few years it'll be second nature.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO
Devil's advocate here.All good points.

My old boat had a trailer where the winch was directly inline with bow hook. The bunks were 2x6's the were on edge where the 2 inch side contacted the hull. My Tige trailer also has 2x6's but on the side where the 6 inch side contacts the hull. That is a lot more surface area on the hull with my Tige than with my old boat. It was impossible to move my old boat with the winch and four people pushing on the back of the boat.

As for backing a trailer down it really does depend highly on the ramp. Steep ramps require less trailer submersion than a shallow ramp. I have my wife back down until I feel the back of the boat start to float.

I may be changing that perspective after my last incident. That was based on experience with my prior boat which was a stern drive. There are differences with an inboard that have obviously tripped me up so I am still learning.

[NICKYPOO]

Did I just hear you agree with me! Oh happy day!

[raythompson]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO
Did I just hear you agree with me! Oh happy day! Nah, I just said they were good points. Sorry to ruin your day.;)

[NICKYPOO]

Man, what a buzz kill.:(