First outing trailering tips

[famas44]

Hello everyone,

This weekend will be the first time my father and I will attempt to trailer our 99' Explorer 245.  We have previously kept this boat at the marina.  It is time to make a move.  Neither of us are new to boating, but we are new to the AquaSport (purchased in November)....and this is a lot of boat!  We are so happy and proud of our AquaSport, I decided to ask any hints/tricks/past problems on here before we try and have a go at it ourselves.  

To ask a stupid question out of ignorance; what would be the optimum level to back the trailer in the water?  I have always kept the rails just at the edge of the water line, but this was with smaller center console fishing/whaler type boats.  I just do not want this first time to turn into a disaster!  

I appreciate any help anyone could pass my way about this topic.  Y'all were a great help when I was having trouble with some wiring and water pump issues and I wanted to ask the experts again.  

Edit: (Here is a little more information I would like to add with the original post)

The trailer made by 'EZ-Loader.'

Also, we have debated about buying a powered wench for the trailer.  Would it be a worthy addition?  How do they get their electricity?  Will it wire through the trailer lights?  Or will I have to add another battery to the set-up?

[wingtime]

I have a 98 245 Explorer that I just picked up. (I love it)  I have only launched it twice so far.  The problem I have found with my set up is the bow pulpit. It hits the winch and winch stand if the trailer is in too deep.  I found I have to keep the trailer at a depth that the bow of the boat is on the bunks enough to keep the pulpit above the winch.  Of course the depth you have to dip the trailer will change depending on the angle of the ramp you are using.  Like I said I have only launched it twice so far.

[seabob4]

You've got the same boat as wingtime, he can tell you about some little trailer foibles, as far as retrieving...

Launching is far easier.  Remove the transom tie-downs, back down far enough to submerge the LU when trimmed down.  Fire up the motor, have you or your Dad remove the winch strap, then simply back down and hit the brakes hard, she'll float right off.

Retrieving?  You want to back down far enough where midships, just aft, is supported by the bunks.  Then power forward until the bow hits the roller.  Your ramp and your set-up will dictate where this actual position, trailer-wise, will be.  If you use the same ramp almost always, a strip of white reflective tape on each guide-on that you can see from the mirrors that tell you the right depth to back in will put you on the spot every time.  Tides may come and go, but the ramp angle stays the same...

[Blue Agave]

Is the trailer brand new or did it come with the boat?  If the trailer is not new, have the bearings been repacked and when?  Don't forget to check the tire pressure, especially in the spare. Good luck.

[famas44]

When we purchased the boat back in November (the guy we bought it from was the original owner & did not want to see it go), we had the trailer over-hauled.  The owner kept this boat at the marina and did not trailer it very often.  He kept the trailer in a covered storage, so it looks brand new, but we wanted to have the bearings and tires checked.

Concerning the angle of the boat, I was curious about the front of the boat and the wench.  This seems like it could be a problem if the trailer is in the water too far.  Suggestions?  

Please don't hesitate to post any previous stories or tips.  I like to be prepared and have my intel before I attempt something such as this.  

Thanks!

[seabob4]

Edited my post, I meant guide-ons, not fenders.  If the trailer is in the water too far, the boat will still be floating, and present a bow down attitude in relation to the winch and bow roller.  You want the boat almost as how it would sit on the bunks when on the trailer, but with just enough flotation at the a$$ end to power on without having to overcome the resistance of the bunk carpet...

[John Jones]

Many folks put their trailer in too far when retrieving but it's all about seeing what works for your individual setup.

Powered winches normally get their power from the tow vehicle.  The manufacturers of the winches also sell the power cable and receptacle for the vehicle.  If your tow vehicle has the round 7-pin trailer connector for campers then it probably already has 12 volts with a 30 amp rating at the plug.  On my old '98 Tahoe all I had to do was install a fuse under the hood to power the 30 amp circuit (check the owner's manual).

http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku= ... d=24678004

[RickK]

If you are lucky enough to watch a couple boats launch at the ramp that will help you see how steep the ramp is.
With my 230, when the ramp is steep is where I have the problems:
On launch, the aft of the boat raises up suddenly and off the trailer it goes, like a rocket. Has pulled my wife off the dock  
On retrieval, I back in until the front edge of the bunks are just at the water line.  Then I attempt to drive the boat on and no matter what I do I can't get the bow eye up close enough to the winch to get the boat in the right trailering position.
I hate steep ramps when on my 230.

Hope you get a gentle sloped ramp and then the boat just lifts off the trailer and stays above it.  Also, retrieval will be a lot easier too.
Just back in slowly and see what the aft of the boat is doing.

[Capt. Bob]

I realize my 21 is much smaller and lighter but since I have only myself to launch and retrieve (drive truck and trailer) I've used this technique on both my 222CCP and my current WAC.


On retrieval I have my son/wife/buddy watch as I back the trailer in and stop me when the trailer reaches the spot where water is just over the "pad" that is located in the pic above. While the pad isn't really seen in this pic, it resides between the two (one going each direction) little PVC "guides" (above the O on O'Neill on the trailer). This allows the helper to get the trailer at the depth I want without too much thought.

Unlike most, I don't "drive" my boats on the trailer but rather pull them with the bow line. I have the winch strap already paid out and hooked to the roller bracket you see in front of the small guides. Then I just hook to the bow and crank the remaining way. By using a stern line and my "helper" I seem to be able to repeat the procedure every time even under windy conditions and while I may look the fool cranking the short distance. my boat sits on the trailer correctly each time.

Maybe someday, I'll get a power "wench" :o  for Christmas but no one really shares my boat fetish in my family.

Good luck.

[wingtime]

I think you have some very good advise here so far.  Like everyone said there is a learning curve to each boat and trailer combo.  On my 200XF the the keel at the bow is the deepest part in the water and it hits some of the trailers cross members so I have to dip the trailer deeper.  On my 245 Explorer that is not the case, I have to keep the trailer shallower so the bunks will lift the bow so the pulpit will clear the winch.  I do not drive the boat on either.  I think it is too dangerous and then there is the whole washing out the ramp and kicking up silt into the motor or the water for the next guy.  But hey thats just me.

[famas44]

I think you have some very good advise here so far.  Like everyone said there is a learning curve to each boat and trailer combo.  On my 200XF the the keel at the bow is the deepest part in the water and it hits some of the trailers cross members so I have to dip the trailer deeper.  On my 245 Explorer that is not the case, I have to keep the trailer shallower so the bunks will lift the bow so the pulpit will clear the winch.  I do not drive the boat on either.  I think it is too dangerous and then there is the whole washing out the ramp and kicking up silt into the motor or the water for the next guy.  But hey thats just me.

How do you get your 245 on the trailer?  You mentioned you did not drive your boat onto the trailer?  This is where I am getting a little hazy...

[wingtime]

Oh I just winch it on.    I use a bow line to pull it to the trailer and then just winch it on.  To be honest it easily winches right on.  My bunks have the plastic on them so that may help it a bit.

[famas44]

Oh I just winch it on.    I use a bow line to pull it to the trailer and then just winch it on.  To be honest it easily winches right on.  My bunks have the plastic on them so that may help it a bit.

How far do you back your trailer into the water?  I know this depends on the angle on the ramp, but in a perfect world...what would you do?  I think I am going to try and have the front tips of the bunks slightly out of the water.

[famas44]

I realize my 21 is much smaller and lighter but since I have only myself to launch and retrieve (drive truck and trailer) I've used this technique on both my 222CCP and my current WAC.


On retrieval I have my son/wife/buddy watch as I back the trailer in and stop me when the trailer reaches the spot where water is just over the "pad" that is located in the pic above. While the pad isn't really seen in this pic, it resides between the two (one going each direction) little PVC "guides" (above the O on O'Neill on the trailer). This allows the helper to get the trailer at the depth I want without too much thought.

Unlike most, I don't "drive" my boats on the trailer but rather pull them with the bow line. I have the winch strap already paid out and hooked to the roller bracket you see in front of the small guides. Then I just hook to the bow and crank the remaining way. By using a stern line and my "helper" I seem to be able to repeat the procedure every time even under windy conditions and while I may look the fool cranking the short distance. my boat sits on the trailer correctly each time.

Maybe someday, I'll get a power "wench" :o  for Christmas but no one really shares my boat fetish in my family.

Good luck.

& I wanted to compliment your boat.  That is very sharp.  What model is it and what are those PVC pads you have for your trailer?  Where did you buy them?  I am interested in more stability such as that near the front.

[dburr]

Best thing for the first time out is get to the ramp at a non peak time.. Nothing is worse then feeling pressured to do something because you have 3 guys waiting on you, and the thing you decide to do under that self imposed pressure ends up damaging your boat..

Get all your prelaunch checks done before you get in line..

Plug in
Bow and stern lines rigged so you get at them from outside the boat
If you go in on a shallow ramp, engine trimmed up so you don't whack the engine as you back in.
Stern straps and any other tie downs that you have off.
There may be more and it is hard to think of all the stuff without knowing the specifics of your rig..

In the mean time watch what the other folks are doing.  Ramp etiquette is different in different areas.  Hopefully where you are going people will be understanding and helpful and you will have an easy time of it.  Just don't forget that damn plug....