How to Launch a Boat on a Trailer

Launching and retrieving a boat on a trailer is not that difficult once you get the hang of it, but it does take a little practice. And after you launch it, you'll have to put it back on the trailer. Those new to trailer boating, check it out.

In our third video on trailering, Lenny Rudow explains how to launch and retrieve your boat at the ramp without losing your termper or your sanity. Also view How to Safely Hitch a Trailer, and 10 Trailering Tips: Haul Your Boat with Confidence.

[nauticalknot]

To all the commenters/viewers, I also want to point something out. As you have seen, the gentleman Powerloaded his boat. This is one way to retrieve your boat, but it has possibilities of doing damage to your truck, trailer hitch, and possibly your boat. When retrieving, make sure you will be able to just simply pull the boat on the trailer with your rope. I use this method, and it is the best way, and does not do harm. I've seen powerloads that have resulted in snapped trailers!

[Mrfishingexpert]

Before you back the boat in, that would also be a good time to tilt the motors up. I'm not a big fan of Suzski (Im an Evinrude and Yamaha), but those things are sure quiet! And thats only 180hp for that boat?

[jimquantic]

I like that he doesn't "sink" his truck in too far--salt water damage to the truck for sure.  And when you pull out, same thing--don't back in too far.  BUT, my old GMC had a huge problem with a tiny joke of a parking brake, which would not hold it's own weight (weight of the truck).  So no way can you trust all trucks' parking brake.  In those case, you MUST use a chalk--and you need a second person for that--maybe one could do it using a stick or something to push the chalk into place.  GM should be ashamed of those joke parking brakes.

[Mrfishingexpert]

First off, and doesnt hurt crap on the truck, hitch or, trailer. If it did, then the damn bumper would fall off if u hit enough bumps in the road. And if you have carpet on the bunks, it aint gonna hurt the boat. Ray, your the reason boat ramps are crowded. You take time to tie a rope to the bow, and try to pull 4000lbs up on a trailer. Thats 5 mins. Powerloading, drive it on the trailer, hook the winch, pull out. Thats a minute. No harm done.

[dozermendoza]

I usually come in hot at mach crazy, do a 360 powerslide followed up with a champagne brim toast, then sip. So much more fun that way, and faster. 

[gravitybackdrops]

Hi, Friend of mine have an idea to buy Bayliner CC7 that is approx 1100kg and Evinrude G2 150HP that is approx 230kg. Trailer is approx 700kg. So total is 2400kg. Can he twhrow it with Skoda Kodiak or Skoda oktavia Scout. Thanks a lot

[catco]

Lift the motors on retrieval but not on launching? Always lift motors

[slaiman]

hi all. Is loading and unloading a catamaran boat easier or harder than a monohull?

[thomastidewater]

Keep a spare drain plug in the boat so if you launch with a forgotten plug, you don't have to race back to the ramp to get the original drain plug. I have, through trial and error, found a way to launch and recover my 14' jon boat on a bunk trailer (no rollers) efficiently when I'm alone. Arrive at ramp parking lot, put in the drain plug, remove boat tie down strap, raise motor, unhook winch strap, attach the snap hooks on the ends of a 3/8" x 20' rope to the very rear of the trailer and to the bow eye of the boat where the winch strap was hooked. The bulk of this 20' rope remains stowed 'snaked' back and forth on the front deck of the boat so as to not catch on anything or tangle up on itself. Now move from parking space to ramp. Back boat into water slowly until it floats off the trailer. The boat continues to float backwards into the water, gently paying out the snaked up 20' rope. Twenty feet and twenty seconds later, as the rope becomes taught between the rear of trailer and front of boat, put vehicle in drive and slowly pull forward, which gently pulls the boat back to shore. Get out, unhook rope, pull boat another foot or so onto shore (in a location out of the way of others wanting to use the ramp) to keep it from floating back into the water (or tie to dock if there is a dock), park vehicle, return to boat, go boating! Time at the actual ramp to launch the boat while others wait to use the ramp... about 1-1/2 minutes. To recover boat, raise motor, back trailer into water 'til 2/3 of the bunks are slightly submerged, use same 20' rope (now hooked only to the front of the boat) to pull boat onto the trailer bunks by hand. You'll be able to easily pull the boat onto the trailer about 2/3 the distance from rear of trailer to the winch before the weight of the boat overpowers your strength due to the boats increasing rise out of the water and no longer floating, but now sitting on the trailer bunks. Drive vehicle to a parking space out of the way of other ramp users, unhook rope from boat, hook winch strap to boat, and winch boat forward on the trailer the final 1/3. Secure boat with tie down strap, lower motor, remove drain plug, check for invasive species, drive home. Time at the actual ramp recovering the boat while others wait to use the ramp... about 2 minutes. I've actually gotten applause and many compliments from boaters waiting to use the ramp who have seen me alone and therefore assumed it would be a 30 minute wait 'til I was out of the way and they could use the ramp. This method could be used with most any size boat, as most are easily pulled around by hand when they are floating. Give it a try (although I wouldn't try it with roller trailers!) I launched and recovered like this hundreds of times, even on the steepest of ramps, with no problems or incidents. It's called the 'Tidewater' method! So easy, even... I... can do it!

[Mrfishingexpert]

And i've been powerloading for 20 years and nothing hurts a thing.