How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

[jos]

Hi there,

This year we have our first, a CCSN 1991. I made those vertical front stops on our trailer as seen on those US trailers.
Question?
Is it mend to drive the boat with prop trust softly against those frontstops.

Untill know our boat floats up the trailer and we winch the last 2 to 3 feet.

Further question , do we have to secure or unsecure the boat before we drive the combination up or down the ramp. Specially early spring and late autum this means wetsuits on or off first, for some of the crew.

We cannot experience of others because most have recreational boats with rollers on their trailers and also deep vee design, which is another trailer procedure.

Thanks for your help
Jos

[rleinen79]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

I always drive on...never used the winch. I have actually pushed the truck up the ramp with the boat. Probably not the "reccomended" way, but in the 20 years my family has had Nautiques, that's the way we've done it. Never had a problem. I ususally keep mine connected to the trailer on the way down, but never do it on the way up. Again, probably not the right way, but it's always worked for us.

[Mikeski]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

Jos,

It depends on the trailer design. The flat bunked trailers we run in the US are typically designed for drive on. I put my trailer in where the fenders are flush with the water then power my boat up on the trailer, it self centers on the bunks. I know there is plenty of prop clearance on my trailer, check your before you try, also make sure the fins clear all the way.

[bkhallpass]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

Agree with the above. I generally disconnect the winch before launching, but connect it when I pull out. BKH

[ag4ever]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

If you power the boat on you will scratch the hull. That is not a big deal on a white hull as the scratches are not really visable unless you get really close, but a colored hull they stand out.

I personally power on, but I am very careful about centering the boat as one of the bunks come really close to my water intake, and I have already destroyed one (bunk and water intake).

For securing the boat, if it is a shallow ramp (not steep) I leave it disconnected, but if it is steep, I leave it in gear with a little throttle to keep me pushed up against the bow stop, and reach over to connect the bow strap. Then I push the truck up the ramp stopping the engine when the prop ventilates or breaks free of the water.

[nautique95]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

With the CC trailers, you have to power up to the stops in order to get it hooked because there isn't a winch on them. I have always powered up to the stops easily, never been a problem! Since '92 I always unhook before backing in and hook up after pulling out, knock on wood, I have never had a problem, hopefully never will!!

[Rick]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

My 2000 has a winch on my DHM trailer. I drive on slowly until I make contact with the front pads or until it stops. The ramps here are fairly shallow. I then winch the boat the last meter of less. Make sure you are hooked up when you pull ut and put in. I have seen several boats on the ramp as they slid off when the person slowed down or stopped. It really sounds awful as the lowest blade grinds off on the ramp. I know!!

[darrel409]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

jos, yes drive your Ski Nautique up to the front stops if conditions permit. Winch the last part if needed. If your ramp is very steep its best to attach the front clip the winch hook is plenty secure. No need to enter the water.

[Brad_K]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

I leave it hooked up when i back down as normally i do it on my own and don't fancy the swim after the boat if i back it in to far and it floats off. Its not really a problem as i can lay on the front and reach under to unhook once backed in, i do the same once i have powered it onto the trailer when recovering. I cant see that powering it on will cause any more scratches than winching it on as long as you do it slow and steady, after all the hull is sliding up the same bunk no matter what.

[SGY]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

Make sure your bunks are wet when powering on. It'll lessen the scratches on the hull bottom. I hook the boat with the winch when both loading and unloading. Why risk a problem, I think. But many don't hook it either way.

[ag4ever]

RE: How to? Driving the boat on the trailer.

Some prefer to float it on all the way to the bow stop, and thus there is no winching and no scratches.