best way to load boat

[witup1]

does power loading a boat on to the trailer damage the boat or trailer??

[Chexi]

I think the biggest problem is that you end up dredging the lake at the end of the lift. That is why it is technically illegal here in Texas anyway. Of course, every fisherman does it.

[HS]

I just read a recent post stating that power loading will wear out the carpeting on the bunks. And according to a public service advisement from the state parks folks, it can stir up the gravel and push it away from the loading area and make piles away from the ramp, which over time I guess can create mini sand bars. What I have done at my regular ramp is figure out how far I need to back the trailer to get the boat to float just a bit while the tow strap is still on the eye of the bow. Then with just a little burst of throttle, the boat hull slides off the bunks. At my regular ramp, and with my regular tow vehicle, this position is when the rear tires of the truck are under water to the bottom edge of the wheel rim. I see a couple advantages to this: First, the boat ain't gonna float away due either to wind, wake or wave action until its driven off; Second, when loading the boat onto the trailer, the boat just nudges to a stop with only a couple of inches of cranking needed on the winch to bring it up near the crash bar on the trailer. Another reason why I like to do this is because I need a small gap between the crash bar and the rub rail to fit the cover on after cleaning out the boat. Lastly, this method accomodates the boat driver which is often the admiral of the fleet, so if she is needing to maintain way due to cross wind or current, it provides a margin of error that being to deep wouldn't provide; and its not too shallow, either, requiring a lot of cranking (or power loading) to bring it into final position for trailering. A couple of variables of course are how much load the boat is carrying, the water depth and the angle of the boat ramp, but after a few tries you will find what works best for you.

[east tx skier]

I think the biggest problem is that you end up dredging the lake at the end of the lift. That is why it is technically illegal here in Texas anyway. Of course, every fisherman does it.

It is illegal in Texas or just at cetain lakes?

I float on and use the winch to snug it up for what it's worth.

[Chexi]

I would have sworn it was in the registration materials when I registered my boat, but I can't find it now. Perhaps it is not technically "illegal", but frowned upon.

[east tx skier]

I recall looking into it several years ago. If memory hasn't faded, I think it's a lake by lake thing. I'll admit to being guilty of it with my MC with the boat buddy before I yanked that stupid thing off of my trailer. Of course, most of the lakes I tend to frequent have nice soft muddy bottoms. So things don't tend to pile up so badly when people power load.

[Nautiquehunter]

I never power load its too hard on the bunk carpet.

[cedarcreek216]

Unfortunately with the lake levels around here right now at most ramps this is the only option. We use a ramp at our lake that has nice deep prop wash area at the bottom of the ramp to avoid throwing all the dirt back, they control it with the dug out wash area. The only negative is that it limits how beep you can go because there's about a 3-4 foot drop off at the edge of the concrete ramp. Right now with the water level so low the only way to load the boat is with power, either by speed on to the trailer or slow mount and power once you're on the trailer.

I don't like to make a habit of this type of loading, at normal water levels we float it on.

[srock]

The steepness of the ramp is what impacts my decision. In some places with steep ramps if I run the trailer too deep the nose of the boat falls below the bow roller and I need the bunks to lift the bow. If the ramp is long and flat I'll use as little throttle as possible. My biggest concern is the amount of debris/sand I see kicked up and that is running right across my impeller. Add in the potential damage to the bunks, wear and tear on the drive-line or what I've seen is water logged debris coming to the surface and finding the propeller there are many reasons to make smooth launches.

[witup1]

So we can agree that power loading is hard on the bunks and bottom of boat? Next question.. Do u float it up and crank it on the rest of the way??

[AirTool]

So we can agree that power loading is hard on the bunks and bottom of boat? Next question.. Do u float it up and crank it on the rest of the way??

I drive it up easy, then crank it up.

Power loading also fouls up the soil behind the ramp....if that wasn't said already.

[Kmayotte]

We have a very shallow town ramp right by my house. You can get the boat 3/4 of the way on. One pump of the throttle and it's pretty much all the way.

I did this a few weeks ago, pulled the boat out and was promptly handed a ticket by a local officer. $100 town ordinance fine (similar to a parking ticket). There's a small sign that warns the boater against power loading. Never thought they actually enforced it. With the financial state of towns & states these days, I guess they need to fund raise anyway they can.

I use this ramp in & out in various water-crafts about 30 times a year. It's really hard if not impossible to crank the boat all the way up with the depth of the ramp, guess I'll have a more watchful eye next time...

[mdvalant]

We just cover the wheel wells (we have a non-steep ramp) then drive it up and pull it out, no need to hook our bow strap. The other people waiting for the ramp are usually pretty impressed/can't believe it's their turn already.

[Kmayotte]

We just cover the wheel wells (we have a non-steep ramp) then drive it up and pull it out, no need to hook our bow strap. The other people waiting for the ramp are usually pretty impressed/can't believe it's their turn already.

that was the same deal with me, til I was slapped with the town fundraising effort.