Bunk Trailer

Help, I’ve got a new Alumacraft Trophy 175 with an Eagle Custom Bunk Trailer. The center Bunks are I’m guessing about only 3 to 4 inches space between them apart, this is all the room I have to get the center rib of the hull into when I load it. The trailer has side guides but even when the boat is in place on the trailer there is still I’m guessing 4 or 5 inches inbetween the boat and the side guides. This condition is even worse in the water when you really need them as the boat just approaches the trailer obviously this space in much greater.
I’ve only been out twice so far but both times I had a tough time loading it on the trailer and needed help. I have a 4 stroke 115 Merc on it and it goes about 3 mph at idle and seems like I’m really moving when I come into the trailer….a bit un-nerving.
I’m open to all tips and tricks from anyone out there. Right now I would have a very hard time going out by myself. Although, Don’t get me wrong I would rather fish with somebody, there are times I end up going myself.

Most of the time the trailer is backed in too far and is under too much water. (Boat floating over trailer) The back of your bunks should be just entering the water in most cases.

One thing I do is spray the bunk carpet with silicone spray. The boat will really slide up on the trailer. Be carefull not to unhook the boat when putting in until the back of the trailer is over water. Sprayed bunks are slick!

-J.

I usually put the trailer into the water until the top of the fenders are showing. Depending on how steep the ramp is,it’s a good place to start. Are you driving ot all the way up the trailer?

I am attempting to drive on, that is what the dealer said I would be able to do. I have trouble hitting the target, I suppose this gets better with practice, Can I hurt the boat badly if I miss?? Seems like a very small target area to have to line the bottom of the “v” into. Does it work well to back the trailer in far enough to winch on instead of drive on, haven’t tried that. So far when I do finally get er lined up I discover I didn’t have the trailer in far enough because I really have to giver and the boat still don’t go on all the way, end up backing the trailer in further….I had to do this twice to get the boat all the way on the trailer until the eye goes under the bumper in the front of the boat.
Maybe Jon is on to something with the silicon spray???Thanks Jon,
Have to give that a try, but that still won’t help with the alignment of the boat onto the trailer problem???? Any other ideas for that???
Thank You !!

Are you running a tiller or console?

One more tip that may help. When approaching the trailer, knock the motor out of gear just before you make contact. If you hit it right, the boat will “Settle in” on the tailer and you and trim up the motor and give it a quick punch to push it the rest of the way up. If you miss, you don’t hit the trailer under power causing posible damage. Plus, if you are out of gear, you can pop it in reverse if you know you are off course.

If you have a console, try to position your view from the middle of the boat looking directly over the bow. If you have a tiller, try standing up.

-J.

I do about the same thing as Chappy! When I’m loading my boat if the tp of my wheel wells are just cresting the water, it is usally good. This does all depend on the ramp. But generally this works for me.

I’m no expert on trailers, but it seems to me your first bunks are a little to close together on the bottom. I would have to say mine are a few feet apart .

Practice, it probably the biggest issue, you get much better handling your boat in due time, secondly, you don’t need to always keep the boat moving forward in gear, my boat goes about 3mph in gear too, a lot of times I find myself popping it into neutral until I hit my trailer, then I’ll put it in gear to motor it up.

The guys also hit on something here that is key, having your trailer in the water just the right amount, too little and it’s tough, too much and it’s tough, you find the correct depth, it may take you awhile, but the reccomendations are good, start there.

Pretty cool I watched a show on tv the other month about parking one of those huge yachts, watching that, I learned some really great tips for slow speed boat control, I use a lot more reverse now.

It’s all part of getting to know your new boat.

It only took me almost 3 years I should’ve payed a bit more attention before First time loading the boat by myself this year it took me only one shot, and it was on perfect. I couldn’t believe it, I had a big smile on my face, had to look like I caught some big fish or something.