First time out with (new to us) boat…….

We went to a small lake to test our 16′ Alumacraft and had fun finding out what to do and not to do.
Couldn’t find the trim button on the console ( it is on the throttle lever). I squeezed it on the up not knowing at half trottle.
That 60 Evanrude made some noise and threw some water. HEHEHEHE
Getting the boat back on the trailer was quite an experience and show for others I am sure.
We probably would still be there trailering if it wasn’t for another elderly fisherman that had just loaded his boat.
The trailer is a Shorelander with rollers and boy what fun it was getting loaded and headed for home.
Does anyone have any ideas on a method of easier loading. Maybe I just need more practice doing this.
This is my first time with a wheeled boat and bigger engine(60)HP.
All in all it was fun and quite a learning experience.

Seemed no one was catching bass to speak of, wifey got a 12″er on a plastic worm, nothing for me on hard lures.
Thanks for reading, will appreciate any ideas or suggestions.

Tight line,
Roger

You can just drive it on right up to the winch, hook it up and give it a couple cranks to tighten. Just be sure to have it trimmed up to a safe distance. You’ll get used to it and be doing it in minutes. Congrats on the new rig!

Lot of variables loading a boat. A good way for you to learn is watch people do it at the landing.

Biggest mistake people make with roller trailers is getting too much trailer in the water. With any new setup, being a roller or bunk trailer, it takes time to figure out the best system. Keep trying until you find what works best for you.

Big thing with roller trailers is not to back them in too far. If you back them in too far, the back of the boat won’t touch the rear rollers, which will get you off center.

The best advice I ever got was just to back the trailer in until the back rollers were just under water. At least with mine it is extremely easy to get the boat on quickly and straight every time.

Good luck and congratulations on your new boat.

Seems to me many roller trailers you want to get it in so that the tops of the fenders are just sticking out of the water or back rollers are just a few inches under the water. Of course ever trailer is different. Just pay attention to this on your and you should find the spot that is comfortable with loading. Might also help to have someone with that has loaded a lot of trailers to help guide you through the 1st few times.

Even finding that sweet spot doesnt mean ever loading is going to go perfect. As much as I load and un load mine it still doesnt go on the trailer perfect ever time but now it doesnt take long to correct the errors. That you will learn with experience. Just get out often and practice. Ideally getting to the point where you feel comfortable loading and unloading by yourself.

With mine its usually the back end thats off center when I get it on the trailer. Most times just a inch or two. Even with a 1750 Navigator I can still get under the back side of it and rock it over the few inches while in the parking lot if needed. On a busy ramp or after dark that is much easier than trying to re-position it in the water.

Another trick to re-position the back end is to get the front hooked up tight where its supposed to be. Back the boat up a enough to take some weight off the back end. Then re-position the back end using the main motor. This might be best to be practiced a few times on a un busy ramp. Need to know just how far to back in or the boat will float all over. You also need to know how far you can trim down the motor with out hitting bottom.

Best thing to do is find a quiet ramp or quiet day with nobody else around and practice and try different depths with your trailer. Nothing worse then trying to do something you’re not very experienced at with a bunch impatient fishermen glaring at you. With a little practice you’ll be a pro

Thanks for all the good advise, looks like I need a lot more practice for sure.

Thanks,

Roger

Go fishing a lot and you will get better at it.

Virtually every ramp will be different too. The Ramp Slope into the water varies as much as the style and setup of each boat & trailer. Many ramps are shallow while others are very steep. Each one is a little different.

Just practice and watching others will help you figure your out.

Good Luck and have fun.

Quote:

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Best thing to do is find a quiet ramp or quiet day with nobody else around and practice and try different depths with your trailer. Nothing worse then trying to do something you’re not very experienced at with a bunch impatient fishermen glaring at you. With a little practice you’ll be a pro

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Totally agree. Find a quiet ramp on a weekday and practice.

Also practice backing up the trailer in a quiet church or office parking lot and practice backing up so you can do it with precision and reasonably fast.

The bottom line is that there is no substitue for experience and every boat/trailer combo is different.

Grouse

I hope I didn’t over simplify the process, all great advise. It’s all practice, I do think it’s something you’ll get the hang of relativly fast though. Quiet ramp for sure, it can be pretty stressful with a line of people waiting and watching.
Good luck!

Power loading is the only way IMHO. But, the time will come when LARGE SIGNS are posted,” NO POWER LOADING” . $100.00 fine.. Time for a long rope.