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Old 01-26-2011, 10:40 PM
Blue_Heron Blue_Heron is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Gator Country
Posts: 1,416
Default Re: Trailer Link Resurection

Quote:
Me Likey !

Do you have any problem getting the boat onto the trailer ? Not too much friction ? My boat is a hell of a lot heavier than yours.

I know there are 5'-6' bunk rollers available. I wonder if I could use a pair of those on top of your "V" / keel bunk idea if that would help it:

a) line up
b) roll up smoother

?
I don't know about rollers, but I don't have any problems loading the boat. You can spray silicone on the carpet on the bunks and it makes them pretty slick. Almost dumped my flats skiff on the ramp after doing that a couple years back. You can also get teflon strips to put on top of the bunks to reduce friction, but I've never used them.

Most of the ramps I use are at a fairly flat angle. I back the trailer into the water until the rear 1' or so of the main bunks is wet and then power it on. It hops on the trailer and centers automatically. Just hook up the winch strap and make a couple turns on the crank to draw it up the last couple inches. If I'm at a ramp where I can't power on, I put the trailer in deeper and float on. As I pull the trailer up the ramp, the boat settles into the keel bunks and self centers. Either way, I can launch or load the boat single handed.

I see guys at the ramp all the time backing their boats in the water several times before getting it to align on the trailer. I load and go. If it worked any better, it would have to be magic. Makes me look a lot smarter than I really am.

Dave
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