Loading the 2021 G23 on a Boatmate Trailer

[FireBreathingRubberDucky]

I realize there is a trailer forum, however this isn’t a question about the trailer so much as it is everyone’s technique for loading. I took delivery of my 2021 G23 this week and took it out today for the first time. I’ve spent my life boating and have always powered up the trailer in my previous boats, until last year, without problems. Enter my 2020 G23 on a Boatmate trailer that was doomed from the time it left the manufacturer (the trailer that is) and I couldn’t ever get the boat on the trailer right. Boatmate convinced me it was my problem, though as it turned out one of my bunks was actually at the wrong angle (amidst some other issues). I eventually took it to a body shop in town that fixed it and most of the problem was solved. The trailer on my new boat is already considerably better and I had no issues keeping it straight on the trailer. However, just to be safe I backed the trailer deep and floated/winched it on and pulled out slowly. Once I get my wife more comfortable backing the trailer, this won’t be too much of an issue but that’s a different story (lots of sprinting up and down a dock lol). The easiest boat I ever had to put on a trailer was my Sanger from way back when. I never backed the trailer deep and always powered on without a problem. My dealer prefers backing the trailer deep and pulling up slowly and wenching as far as needed. I find this to be very cumbersome as the rear of the boat floats and makes it more difficult to achieve proper alignment on the trailer. Not to mention if you have to throttle at all there’s always a chance you’ll hit the prop on the prop guard or one of the bunks. So, here comes the question....what are your techniques for these flat bottom boats? Do you leave the front bunks out of the water a small amount and pull up slowly, allowing the guide post to help if needed and nose in until the bunks catch the boat and align you? Or do you back the trailer in deep, float it on, winch the rest of the way and pull out slowly hoping it stays straight?

[nohlan_4]

Not much of an opinion on the 2021. But my 2014 once you learn the depth it’s fine. I would guess just need more trial and error.


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[shag]

Depending on on the boat, back all the way in to get a the entire bunk wet, pull out just enough to leave some of the bunks out, then gently power on, paying close attention to aft position. Ramps can vary and steeper ones can make this a tad more challenging.

[greggmck]

Back in until the wheel covers are about 6 inches below the surface works best in my experience. Slight power to get it onto the stops. This varies with the steepness of the boat ramp. Experiment on depth using the wheel covers as your reference. Low freeboard boats are much easier to load because they are not as heavy. Really can't compare them to a late model state of that art surf boat.

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[RDT-G23]

I will say something "kind-of" related here about Boatmate Trailers for these boats... I have one of the early Paragons, and thus an early Boatmate Trailer for them. The bunk design has to be the same for the G23. When I look under my boat at the bunks with the boat on the trailer-the inner bunks (the ones that are slanted in to suppurt the center of the hull) are not even close to right. The hull should be resting evenly on them from front to back. Mine aren't even close; they only are supporting the front. I've looked at my neighbor's P25 trailer-and boat on it, same thing. While I feel the Boatmate folks are pretty good to deal with, what the heck? Yes, I could've started a new thread, as this is a bit of an unintended "hi-jack"

[bird_dog0347]

I will say something "kind-of" related here about Boatmate Trailers for these boats... I have one of the early Paragons, and thus an early Boatmate Trailer for them. The bunk design has to be the same for the G23. When I look under my boat at the bunks with the boat on the trailer-the inner bunks (the ones that are slanted in to suppurt the center of the hull) are not even close to right. The hull should be resting evenly on them from front to back. Mine aren't even close; they only are supporting the front. I've looked at my neighbor's P25 trailer-and boat on it, same thing. While I feel the Boatmate folks are pretty good to deal with, what the heck? Yes, I could've started a new thread, as this is a bit of an unintended "hi-jack"

Pretty sure my P23 trailer is the same, I'll get a pic next weekend, but mine is brand new so I don't think it has anything to do with yours being an early model.

[RDT-G23]

Pretty sure my P23 trailer is the same, I'll get a pic next weekend, but mine is brand new so I don't think it has anything to do with yours being an early model.

Think about how many have been made like this...

[Neptune442]

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_ac...erloading.html

[FireBreathingRubberDucky]

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_ac...erloading.html

The type of “power load” I’m talking about isn’t the kind you need to be concerned about. I understand what you’re referencing, as I frequently see my fisherman colleagues doing this with their outboard engines as they gas their boats to the moon (often to lock them into their Boat Buddies). I’m simply driving onto the trailer until my momentum stops and then winching the remaining distance. There is a way to go about this without having to hit the throttle hard at all. I did it for years on previous boats. The launch I routinely use also has concrete that stretches at least 30-40 yards into the water, even with the water levels down and there is no rock or sediment in sight.

With all that being said I’m happy to report I took the wife out today and had her back up and down the ramp about 20+ times until she got pretty good at it. We went out for a quick spin and surf session (tad bit chilly in my neck of the woods) and came back in and I drove it onto the trailer. This was much easier than backing the trailer in deep and floating it on. We left the top of the front bunks just barely sticking out of the water. I did use my stern thruster to move right and left at the very end to ensure alignment was perfect and winched the remaining 12-14 inches or so. Came out of the water and the boat was on the trailer perfectly. I just can’t ever seem to get it on right with the float method and I’m not sure how people do, given the boat is floating above the bunks? Either way, thank you for all the input.

[Joeylabau]

Just took delivery of our new G23 and same thing. I asked the dealer and they told me that boatmate made like that for loading reasons. Didn’t ask to many questions but seems odd to me. Had it out twice and loaded fine. But we always deep water load. We have a tungsten grey hull and I’m anal about white marks from bunks thus deep water loading for us.


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[boomersooner]

This is my first wake/surf boat. I've loaded my 2021 G23 on the trailer 3 times now. I'm getting the hang of it (steering assist helps) but the thing I find most challenging is reaching over the bow to grab the bow hook and cranking on the handle to pull the boat up to the stop. If I drop the trailer too deep, that roller is too high on the trailer and make cranking the handle a pain in the butt. Seem like other boats I've had the crank was higher up and easier to turn from the bow.

[FireBreathingRubberDucky]

I would like to say on another bright note the wave this new hull design produces is pretty incredible. I loaded 800lbs of lead for the first trip out and haven’t looked back. The wave is longer, and more customizable than my 2020 and has far more push in the curl at the rear of the wave. The pocket is also bigger and will be much easier for beginners to drop the rope I suspect.

[bird_dog0347]

^^ Can confirm for beginners... my 13 year old son who learned to surf last year behind my 07 Supra 24SSV had never dropped the handle before, and wasn't really able/ready to behind the Supra, was able to go no rope on his 2nd set behind the P23 and only his 2nd set since last October.

[surfnjosh]

I always put trailer in fairly deep and winch up the last foot. never heard of anyone ruining a prop this way or any other damages.... cant say the same for the "power it up" method..... idk 250k boat i can winch a few inches. once you find that happy spot depth wise it aligns perfect..

[Mahnal]

Clearly there are many methods that work. For me.. put the trailer so the wheel fenders are 1” below the surface (after wetting the bunks). Then drive the boat just fast enough that it steers. About 3.5 mph. Once the front of the boat passes the poles, cut power. The boat gets pretty far up, but not all the way. But there is no risk of over doing it and ramming the roller. At this point I usually attach the winch, and tighten (my wife is usually driving the boat). The it is a balancing act to turn the rudder just enough to drive straight and compensate for the prop walk. Usually just a little throttle and the boat lightly taps the roller, and I will tighten the winch.

All that said, we deep water loaded for the first summer as this was our first inboard.


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