loading a wood runabout onto bunk trailer

#Loading a wood runabout onto bunk trailer driver

Once you figure out just the right depth, make a note of where the waterline falls on the trailer wheels or fenders, and you’ll always know about where to stop the trailer. If the boat only floats onto the back third of the trailer, you’re shallow and need to back the trailer in a little deeper. If the boat stays afloat all the way to the trailer bow stop, you’ve backed the trailer too far down the ramp. Just as when launching, you’ll want to pull your rig out of the way of ramp activity to unload gear and prepare the trailer and boat for the highway.įinding the Right Position on Your Trailer.

#Loading a wood runabout onto bunk trailer driver

Now tilt the motor or drive up, and the vehicle driver can slowly pull the boat and trailer up the ramp. If the boat ends up a little crooked on the trailer, try backing down the ramp just a little to allow the boat to float and center itself.When the boat bumps the bow stop on the winch post, or gets close, your helper can clip the winch strap to the bow eye, and use the winch to pull the boat up snug to the winch post, and then secure the safety chain.If the ramp is shallow you may need to trim your outboard motor or sterndrive up a bit so the prop doesn’t hit bottom.Now, you can idle the boat over the bunks, aligning the bow peak with the trailer bow stop.

The trailer should be backed into the water as straight as possible, and at a depth that allows the boat to float over the rear two-thirds of the trailer bunks.

Your driver can now be ready to hop on the trailer tongue or step into the water to help secure the boat on the trailer.

The driver should put the vehicle Park and set the parking brake.

When you see your tow vehicle backing down the ramp, get the boat in position.

While they walk up to the parking lot and prepare to back down the ramp, you can idle and wait out of the way.

Start by idling up to the launch-ramp dock, and putting your vehicle driver and crew ashore.