Getting on and off the trailer

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by New Kent Cougar.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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May 25, 2009 at 4:13 pm #260068

onebgfish
Participant

Finally got the boat to the water and noticed something that has me worried.The front rollers almost took the trolling motor off when I let the boat float off the trailer,took a chip out of the roller,bow hit also said my buddy,never seen that before,noticed there is no wat to adjust anything cause its all welded.When I came in I backed the trailer in to where the short bunks were almost covered,got in the boat and drove up on the trailer and the bow went straight into the roller????We had a heck of a time getting the bow where it needed to be not to say lots of scrapes to the front of the boat.I have ownedlots of different boats through the years ,this weekend has been the craziest and unluckiest Ive had.What is the purpose of the top roller,it would work fine with just the bottom roller?The good thing is the motor ran and the pumps worked,did loose that paper license tag they gave me on the way home,now I have to wait till my real tag comes in before I can go anywhere

May 25, 2009 at 4:23 pm #260069

basscat247
Participant

Sounds like you had the trailer to far in the water when unloading and loading. Just back the trailer in far enough for the back end to just start floating and the nose should not drop when backing it off. When loading the boat, I always back in until the bunks are covered with water. Then creep it forward until the top of the fenders are showing. You want to run it up kind of dry but with the bunks being wet it will make it slide right up on the trailer. Bass Cat Custom builds these trailers to fit each boat. Most companies do not do this. They are a littl different to load and unload than some other boats I have had in the past but once you get use to them. You will not have any trouble at all. Congrats on the new boat and Good Luck

May 25, 2009 at 4:33 pm #260070

JSLAW
Participant

There is definatley a learning curve with these trailers and you will figure it out. From my boat to a few others I have back in and taken out, i never looks at the bunks but focus on the fenders. Generally if you have about 3-4 inches of the fender sticking above the water your bunks should be about right, this leaves about the last foot to foot and half of the bunks above the water line and will raise the bow up above the roller when loading. And yes, sometimes i will also submerge the bunks then pull fowrward till the fenders are as mentioned above. SO in short it sounds like you are backing the trailer in to far (deep). Once you have it figured out it will be no problem.

May 25, 2009 at 4:49 pm #260071

4doorcat
Participant

I agree with them. It does sound like trailer to far in the water. I usally un hook the front strap before getting in the water so the boat can slide off the trailer when ever there is enough water. If you have the person back the boat in kind of fast ( not fast enough to get wet) they can stop quick to allow the boat to slide off a little sooner. If you use the boat enough the bunks should stay wet enough to allow this to happen.

May 25, 2009 at 6:18 pm #260072

onebgfish
Participant

Thanks for the advice,the only thing that still worries me is I fish by myself alot. I backed in with the rope tied to the trailer like I have always done but it slammed the bow down hard,I am lucky to still have a trolling motor bracket cause it caught the roller? this ramp was a little steeper than most,I definetly do not want to rip the trolling motor bracket off, do I need to back in really fast maybe and slam on the brakes?

May 25, 2009 at 6:47 pm #260073

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I fish the majority of times solo and youll be fine. Put 1-2 ” of slack into winch and relock, back down and leave front fenders out 3-4 ” out, or just in far enough that just over half of the top of the fender is submerged, or just enough that you see the back end of the boat float up, then you can just pull it off with motor- unlatch, put boat on ramp, put truck up while motor warms up, hit the road! EZC.O.D. Jr. III

May 26, 2009 at 3:57 am #260074

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Perhaps when you visit your dealer, you could swing down the road to the ramp at the river and let them give it a spin. BCB

May 26, 2009 at 7:10 pm #260075

onebgfish
Participant

If I had a metal tag I would,,only have one more paper tag left to get me down and back,,,my buddy that was with me has a pantera and said he has never seen a cat hit the roller like that launching

May 26, 2009 at 7:36 pm #260076

GAPuma
Participant

Being in the military and moving like JLaw and I there are many different ramps my cat has been to. Each and every ramp is different too. If I have not been to a ramp I take a good look at the angle of it. Some times my truck tires are in the water before its right and some times the angle is so steep its work to get in and out. Just take your time and be safe. Try to look at the ramp first. Summer is here so the lakes ar going to get busy. Rusty

May 27, 2009 at 1:53 am #260077

New Kent Cougar
Participant

A steep ramp can be tuff off loading. Loading up is easier.
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