How do you guys launch at steep ramps?

[biteme]

Ive been have a lot of trouble with the low water and loading. When I go to load the boat I drive the boat on the trailer. The front cant clear the roller. So today I thought maybe Ill just back the truck in further. It was close but I had to lift the front a bit to get it on. Ok so baot is now locked in. So I started to pull the boat out and looked back to see my 520 half on the trailer! I backed it up and tried again. Problem is the fenders are so far under water the arse end swing around in the wind! So I had to have a buddy hold the boat straight while I pulled out. There has to be a better way! Is there a adjustable hitch or something? Seems like it need to be lower to lower then higher to tow. What gives?

[bruizer343]

wheel chocks. I use em when launching step or from the RV.
easy back safety measure.

[Dan McKenzie]

once the hull is on the bunks with motor trimmed up a little higher I never have any problems. sounds to me your backing in too far. if the bow is going under the roller then the bunks aren't lifting the bow up. what kind of boat?

[Jeff Jewell]

on steeper ramps I actually don't back in as far, just poper the boat a little further up and let your bunks hold the boat straight

[norbert gee]

I know it sounds like the opposite of what you should do, but if the bow is lower than the roller, the trailer is too deep in the water. That is why your boat can swing to the side off center of the trailer. What you want to do, is pull the trailer forward until the bow can clear the roller, then attach to eye and crank tight, then slowly pull the trailer forward out of the water. Your rig will be centered just right. Hope this helps.

[Bill K]

Fully agree with most, you appear to be backing in to far. You just have to pull onto the trailer a little faster/harder to push up onto the bunks and stay there. winch it down(front) and pull out slow and make sure it stays on bunks and centered. You just have to adjust for your boat and trailer. But first try not going in so deep. Bill K

[younto]

Good morning Bitten,
I also agree with Mr Gee and Bill K, Bones, Dan and Jeff,
I have a tendency to do the same thing as you are....park it too deep and try to run to the cab before the wind turns the boat. Hard to keep looking cool when the boat is floating over the fenders and 90 degrees to the ramp.
Right Bruizer343 ??? (by the way...what's a wheel chock ? )
Anyway, I would agree that these suggestions will remedy the problem as you described it.
Also, more massive fish in your live well will make it harder for wind to move it
Good fishing

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

I agree that you are backing ii too far.

But what I have found that helps is to back in far enougw to wet the bunks farther toward the front of the boat, then pull forward to your normal position, this lubercates the bunks and makes it easier for the boat to slide on them. The other thing that works for me is to trim the engine up some so that it lifts the bow and reduces the friction even more, as well as getting the hull of the boat more on the same angle as the ramp.

[W.C]

It's simple !!! don't back up the trailer all the way like on a normal ramp . in a steep ramp, just back up your trailer about half a foot too 1 and a half in the water you normally do, depending on the size of your boat. as soon as you ease your boat onto the bunks of your trailer and straighten out your boat, trim your motor up befor you gun your troddle. once your boat is straight and motor is trimed up, pop the troddel in gear and see how ez it was. the front of you boat will come up or rise above the roller of your trailer when you gun your troddle in gear. by trimming the motor up and leaving the trailer out of the water more than normal, it will help you put your boat on the trailer so much faster and easer than before. I hope this helps you.

[biteme]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. For about eight months I have no problems and now this. Ill try further out and see whats happens. I always try and make it so I can just see the tops of the fenders but I guess you just have to adjust to the ramp. The boat is a Ranger 520 single axle.

[eddremax]

Are your talking about really steep ramps like whimpys or dels/ riversend? If so I have to bring to trailer 2-3 ft higher , drive the boat up on bunks ,then back the trailer down while powering up.
I had to do on my last 2 boats I had (viper/ 521)
Ed

[Terry Smith]

Back the trailer so that all of the bunks are wet.
Pull forward further up then normal.
The front step of my finder is just barely under water.
Trim the engine up some and ON SHE WILL GO.
That 520 has some weight to it so maybe just A little more throutle to get it on.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU WET THE BUNKS it makes it A whole lot easier to put the boat on.


GOOD LUCK, TERRY

[bustout]

you are too deep.....you need to pull out a little further than you do at normal inclined ramps

it will be more difficult to get the boat fully up....if you have a partner...he can crank handle while you throttle up.

otherwise, once the box is over the roller...you can back down a few feet to get the boat fully cranked up