Roller Trailer Launch Advice

[UncleDave]

Am I stupid (okay, that's a given)?  I got a new 16' Smokercraft last year that came with a roller trailer.  This is the first time I have ever had a roller trailer.  I loved my two previous bunk trailers.  They were so easy to float off of the trailer (90% of the time).  A super shallow launch sucked, but that is rare.  I am stuck with the roller now and I am scared and paranoid to unhook the safety chain until the boat is arse end in the lake which is a pain.  I am used to unhooking, backing the boat in, and driving off of the trailer.  Now I'm too afraid to unhook with any incline on the launch or a sudden brake sending the boat to the pavement.  Am I missing something?   ::

[Spinach]

I love Roller trailers, they are a piece of cake once you get used to them.

Backing in: Unhook the safety chain and keep the winch strap connected until your ready to back it all the way in, unhook the strap and push the boat in by hand, just a little push is all it takes. Crank in the strap, tie the boat off and your ready to go. Depending on the access, you will probably want to have a 10 foot section of rope tied to the boat, so it doesn't float away.

When trailering the boat, back the trailer in so the rollers are about halfway out of the water, coast the boat onto the rollers and crank it up with the strap. I do not drive the boat onto the trailer, too much damage can be done to the lower unit, I've witnessed a ton of "accidents" when people drive there boats on a roller trailer.

Practice, practice, practice. After a few times, you will have no problems.

[JD]

UncleDave, I had the same boat with the same trailer.  I would put the boat partially in the water, unhook the safety chain, and then loosen the wench and roll the boat off of the trailer.  Many times I would get into the boat, reach over the front and lift the bracket on the wench to roll the boat in, then unhook it and tie to the dock.  PM me if you have anymore questions, I was very comfortable with that boat and trailer.

[Fawkinnae]

Uncle Dave.

I agree with everything Pat said except I would have a 20 foot rope instead of a 10 foot rope - 10 feet will be too short at times.

Also with regard to driving the boat on the trailer. For years my son would say, "Dad, why don't you just drive the boat on the trailer." Finally one day I told him to do it. It worked perfect and I usually drive it on now. When I back the trailer in I usually go until the the back rollers are not quite covered with water (fairly shallow). The boat seems to stay more centered on the trailer that way.

Good luck.

Backing in: Depending on the access, you will probably want to have a 10 foot section of rope tied to the boat, so it doesn't float away.

When trailering the boat, back the trailer in so the rollers are about halfway out of the water, coast the boat onto the rollers and crank it up with the strap. I do not drive the boat onto the trailer, too much damage can be done to the lower unit, I've witnessed a ton of "accidents" when people drive there boats on a roller trailer.

Practice, practice, practice. After a few times, you will have no problems.

[MuskyManiac]

I always wait to unhook chain till boat is in water, Ive seen to many boats hit the blacktop with just the strap on the hook, who knows maybe the winch gets bumped or something  ???, and i drive my boat all the way on the trailer when loading then just walk up and hook the chain.   good luck  ::

[Mayfly]

I always wait to unhook chain till boat is in water, Ive seen to many boats hit the blacktop with just the strap on the hook, who knows maybe the winch gets bumped or something  ???, and i drive my boat all the way on the trailer when loading then just walk up and hook the chain.   good luck  ::

I'm with ya! I never unhook that chain until the boat is in the water. I do loosen it a bit before backing it in but it is always on and locked. Idiot me launched the boat at the river the other day and I had the chain on as usual but I forgot to lock it again......Well there goes the boat! Luckily we did catch the boat in time and it was still hooked but jees....


 

[UncleDave]

What do you guys do when the ramp has a large incline?  The weight of the boat is pulling on the hook.  I had a real bugger with that issue a couple of times last year.