2018 WX2190 Loading issues

I am having a real time figuring out how to load this boat. When I load, the boat is hard to get centered on the trailer, and when I do get it centered and power up on the trailer it wants to push off to the left, and not center on front roller. I have started turning the motor so it steers slightly to right. Also, on my trailer, the boat seems to be bumping the front cross brace. In fact I bet I have fixed that crappy little bumper they put on it a half a dozen times(and I just noticed it needs fixed again). I have my share of experience loading and unloading boats, and I have not had a boat that has been any harder to load. With the fly by wire shifter and Yamaha 300hp it has the best manners around the ramp. My problems start when I start towards the trailer to load. I guess my question is, is it me or have any of you had these issues? Starting to get a little embarrassing at the ramp.

I’d check the trailer….if you continue to replace that roller it seems like the trailer might be a little out of whack.

Next time you have the boat in the water I’d give the trailer a visual inspection and then maybe put a tape and make sure everything is centered. Maybe a bunk is off kilter a little.

I will do that. The front cross brace has pc of rubber that is basically screwed on the top of the cross brace. It should have a roller there, that is the problem. I looked at a WX2200 and there has been a roller installed there now. Hull is also different now.

There is a good chance you have the trailer too deep in the water. Try it so the front of the center bunks are just out of the water if the ramp isn’t real steep.

My 2001 Crestline Fishhawk 1850 hardly ever loads centered. Its always just slightly off center – although it always lines up on the nose roller. I have just learned to live with it. My buddy has a 2015 1850 Crestliner fishhawk and that is the easiest boat I’ve ever seen to load and unload. We are unloaded and loaded each time in a matter of seconds and the boat is always straight on the trailer every time. I would think as new as yours is that it would load Great. My guess is that it was not setup correct from the start or something has become out of adjustment. I assume since you have experience loading boats that you played around some with the depth you are putting the trailer when loading. I often find that a lot of new boat owners tend to back the trailer in way to deep when loading boats. Most boats I’ve owned or worked with seem to be about correct when the top of the taillight bracket hits the waterline. That has always been my starting point and almost always seems to be about perfect.

I put the boat in so that the fenders are just under water, to slightly exposed. I have been experimenting with different depths on the trailer. I don’t know if the ramp would be consider steep or not. I would not classify it as shallow ramp. It is the ODNR ramp in Huron, Ohio. I do most of ramping there. I know I need to try some different ramps, and see if it helps or hurts. I appreciate you guys helping me work thru this.

Have someone video the loading and then watch it back you may see what is causing the problem. The bunks can be adjusted also to help load straight.

bigcrappie, wow, why didn’t I think of that. That makes to much sense. Next time out I will have the wife do that.

My boat loads like a dream, and starts everytime too… unless I watch someone else try to start it then it seems impossible!

You’ll get it figured out. Takes some time to learn the process. Usually ease into the trailer and power it on. It’s hard to be watching your motor and bow at the same time to be sure motor is straight so I find it easier to feel what the boat is doing as I load and correct with the wheel.

Many trailers allow you to load it incorrectly, I love my strong and HIGH uprights in the rear which only allow the slightest imperfections when loading.

Seems dumb to practice. But on them mornings when the landing is empty… back off the trailer and reload it. Do it several times. You’ll get er bud!!

Make sure about 1 foot of your bunks are out of the water. That allows the keel to find and center itself…. My gut tells me you are deeper than that….

So Dean you are thinking I may be to deep?

Yes Phil, thats my best guess …. some of the bunks have to be out of the water so the keel can find center. By all means, you wouldnt be the first one to have experienced this…. Pretty common tendancy until you re train yourself !

I believe Dean is right. I always back trailer into water to completely submerge the bucks to get them wet and the pull out so that a foot or so of the bunks are out of the water. 6 to 8 inches or so of the front of the fender are out of the water also. I have a 2190 also.

On my 2200, I sink the trailer, then pull out till about 1/3 of the length of the top of the fenders are exposed. Will vary by angle of ramp. Flat ramps= more sunk. steep ramps = more out for me.

X2 on what Dean said. If that doesn’t work your trailer may not have been setup right from the beginning. I bought a boat from a friend who had it for 14 years. After a short time I figured out the bunks were not adjusted properly. No wonder he struggled with loading it all those years.

Top of fenders level with water is perfect for mine

Top of the fenders works for me too. Aim for the center and go into neutral coasting to the trailer. Wait until the boat centers before powering steering right or left to line up to the winch. Might want to check bunks to make sure they are parallel and aligned with the length of the trailer. If the front of one of the inside bunks has been jarred to the outside I could imagine seeing your issues. Good luck. Great boat.

I get to see 1,000’s of times per year people who could load better (I’m hesitant to say “wrong”. But I find most of them have trailer at wrong depth. Usually too deep results in a retry to center. Those too shallow get it on straight but boy they work hard to get it to the winch. This is why it’s easy for me to say their largest improvement will be in getting the right depth.

Like everyone said, the trailer has to be “just right” in the water. Esp. since your chines have to line up with your bunks- too deep and the back of the boat will float around. One thing to add is, all ramps are different- some steep and some shallow. I find more issues by far with steep ramps as back of trailer is pitched deeper, allowing the back not to grab but float around. Like fishblood alluded to, keep it more out of the water, nose it in and if necessary can back the trailer little bit back in once boat is on so not hard to winch. It’s tricky, but go slow, figure it out and you will be golden. Sounds like main issue is back of trailer is too deep and back is allowed to float and get kicked to one side.

Musky Ed wrote:

On my 2200, I sink the trailer, then pull out till about 1/3 of the length of the top of the fenders are exposed. Will vary by angle of ramp. Flat ramps= more sunk. steep ramps = more out for me.

Phil Dean and Musky are right. My 2015 is the same as my 2019. The deeper you are, the more the stern floats. Need the rig to ride up the bunks. No problems for me. Once you master loading it, you can load in waves or heavy river currents no problem.

Well, I have taken some of your advice and have shallowed the trailer up some. That helps, I launch from the same ramp most of the time. Took her to another ramp, much shallower and that made a big difference as well. My ramp is a pretty steep ramp, and that has been giving me fits for some reason. But I am on my way to figuring it out. Thanks for all the help.

Phil, on steep ramps, if you are too far in, not only will the back float around, but at times, when shutting engine off, boat will want to slide backwards. I usually leave engine in gear slightly above idle, then go off front steps and clip up. As I fish alone alot, when I have to keep the trailer further out of the water, one thing that has helped greatly is that I installed a 2 speed winch. Best $150 I have spent. You can’t believe how easily your boat will winch up in low range. Also is really a lifesaver for those ramps that do not allow powerloading.

Ed,
Yea, I started doing that trick after I noticed the boat sliding back a little when loading. The steeper ramps are where I am having the most problems. I love to fish lake St. Clair and the St. Clair river, and Michigan has some real shallow ramps, and they do not allow power loading. What brand of winch did you buy? I would like to consider that.

I bought a Fulton F2, same brand as was on there from factory. Mounted same as stock winch that way. So simple to use, slide the handle shaft out about 1/2″, and its in low range. Brings it from the 1800# factory winch, to a #3200 winch. Unbelievable how easy your boat will winch up.

Is that on a WX2200 or WX2190?

2200, bolted right up, exactly same as stock winch, same mount pattern. Took a few uses to get the winch strap tight.

Ditto on that winch. First year I had my boat i grenaded my small F2. Upgraded to the bigger winch. Way easier to reel the rig home.

Another option is the Drotto boat latch…. I declare it it as “old guy certified” !

Dean,
you got me looking at the Drotto Boat Latch system. Pretty cool. They list all aluminum boats on their website. Will that thing stand up to a big heavy fiberglass hull? That thing definitely looks old guy friendly. All about that, I think it would make fishing alone way easier.

Phil Ames wrote:

Dean,
you got me looking at the Drotto Boat Latch system. Pretty cool. They list all aluminum boats on their website. Will that thing stand up to a big heavy fiberglass hull? That thing definitely looks old guy friendly. All about that, I think it would make fishing alone way easier.

I have used them on the big Warriors & Skeeters…. and I without a doubt declare them “old guy ” certified ! :]

Especially by yourself