How To Load Your Boat in Swift Current-Video

it amazes me how many people boat on the river that are not capable of properly loading & unloading a boat in current.

not only do they run the risk of damaging equipment, but they also hold everyone else up too.

and attempting to learn how to do it, is probably not best at this time of the year.

I don’t believe I saw Steve wait to drain his boat over the water !!! Naughty, naughty…..

Very impressive. When BK told me that he was going to film Steve I thought it was going to be a blooper film.

Thanks for posting this. I’ll admit I have had trouble with this. Especially on Evert’s steeper landing. I see now I was trying to go straight at the trailer when I was too far out and should have just run against the current, perpendicular to the trailer until I was almost to it. I did some damage last year and have no interest in repeating it.

All the hard core river guys know this stuff and it’s old news to them. The folks that don’t fish the river often or at all struggle with it and that’s who this video is for.

Steve could have been a little closer to the trailer, but he lined up perfectly when he entered the trailer and that’s what counts.

Nice job Steve!

One more tip…
Try to angle your trailer slightly DOWNSTREAM when backing it in…It really helps as the current catches the stearn end when your front (bow) is initially on the rollers, and can throw you off downstream.
BTW…always load from DOWNSTREAM!

I’m sure most of you know but I see a lot of people who don’t. I see tons of people power loading their boats on lakes where there is no need to. Here’s what your state says about power loading so I wouldn’t do it more than I had to.

http://www.boat-ed.com/mn/course/p2-4_trailering.htm

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_access/powerloading.html

If done correctly, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with power loading.

Good post Josh.

If there’s a dock next to the launch I would rather just crank it on.

one other tip (not just for current)
ALWAYS USE YOUR PARKING BREAK

back trailer in
apply parking break
shift vehicle in to park
load boat
shift vehicle in to drive
release parking break
drive off

when not using PB that clunk you here when shifting in to drive is your parking pin.

And this is all assuming you have a great running outboard that doesn’t try and die on you while you are fighting wind, waves, and current!

The best part was the credits.
“Mouth piece BrianK.”
Understatement of the year.

Thanks for the post guys. Have fished for years, but not alot in strong current. I can say I learned something new today.

Nut

i very rarely ever powerload all of the way up, but i do use a bunk trailer, so my boat will not come back off the trailer, like it could on a roller trailer. i power 3/4 of the way up, hop out and crank it up the last few feet.

that way i also never risk missing the stop guide, and marking up the front of the boat.

another tip that works for me, is when loading under a fast cross current, not only do i run like steve did – perpendicular to the trailer, but i also tend to do this at a faster speed then just idle. more power on the boat, and it has less of a tendency to pushed out sideways once getting almost on the trailer, it will keep a straighter lie.

this of course comes with being comfortable loading your boat on the trailer under power.

also, as brian noted, having your trailer too deep will greatly effect how easily this is done. i see way too many people put their trailers in too deep, which can leave the boat floating just enough to move off of the bunks/rollers sideways.

Trailer guides don’t hurt either

Quote:

---

One more tip…
Try to angle your trailer slightly DOWNSTREAM when backing it in

---

x2 It really helps me. And I need all the help I can get!

FDR

I don’t have much of problem with people that are learning to load their boat in current,as much as I do the guy that shows up to launch at the opener doesn’t uncover his boat or get it ready while waiting in line. Then after it is his turn get everythig ready at the ramp, and because he didn’t test run his boat prior to season sit there with his boat still on the trailer in the water trying to get the motor to start until the battery is dead, only then to have to pull it back out. they are my favorite.

Quote:

---

it amazes me how many people boat on the river that are not capable of properly loading & unloading a boat in current.

not only do they run the risk of damaging equipment, but they also hold everyone else up too.

and attempting to learn how to do it, is probably not best at this time of the year.

---

How about with a bunk trailer? I’ve tried this way but with the built in guide-ons you risk damage approaching the trailer at such a steep angle.

Good stuff Brian. I would imagine in faster current like there is now even the most experienced boat person may a issue. A few thing I keep in mind while loading and unloading on the ramps on pool 2 are,

Unload on the up stream side of the dock if by myself. This way the boat floats into the dock and is easy to secure.

Load on the down stream side of the dock. This way you will not have to fight with the dock if the back end swings down stream or you need to give it a second try.

Be mindful of someone loading or unloading on duel ramps. I Have sen it many times where the up stream boat will launch and drift into the down stream boat. When launching side by side make sure your motor is running and you are ready to move the boat away from the launch. Hidden Falls has reversed current at the end of the ramps and this is a big issue there.

I can’t wait to watch this video (it’s blocked at work). While I feel somewhat comfortable loading in current, any pointers to make it easier/smoother are always appreciated!

Great idea for a video

Quote:

---

How about with a bunk trailer? I’ve tried this way but with the built in guide-ons you risk damage approaching the trailer at such a steep angle.

---

I would think angling the trailer would help with this. You would not need to turn as sharp then. Other wise dont come into the trailer at as steep a angle as Steve did in the video. Once the bow hits the bunks you need to quickly see if the boat is where you want it and then turn the motor and run the the boat up the trailer. With trailer guides I would think you need to be a little quicker at loading so the boat does not drift into them.

Quote:

---

Be mindful of someone loading or unloading on duel ramps. I Have sen it many times where the up stream boat will launch and drift into the down stream boat. When launching side by side make sure your motor is running and you are ready to move the boat away from the launch. Hidden Falls has reversed current at the end of the ramps and this is a big issue there.

---

you mean its not ok to put your boat halfway across your trailer and theirs?

i’ve had people a few times at the hastings public launch, put their boats part way onto my trailer when attempting to load.

Thats funny. Equally its not all right to pull up down current of a guy having problems and then get pissed when he drifts into you. You better just hang out or offer a hand. You could always holler over “would you like my wife to come help you get you boat loaded”.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

How about with a bunk trailer? I’ve tried this way but with the built in guide-ons you risk damage approaching the trailer at such a steep angle.

---

I would think angling the trailer would help with this. You would not need to turn as sharp then. Other wise dont come into the trailer at as steep a angle as Steve did in the video. Once the bow hits the bunks you need to quickly see if the boat is where you want it and then turn the motor and run the the boat up the trailer. With trailer guides I would think you need to be a little quicker at loading so the boat does not drift into them.

---

Here is what works for me on my bunk trailer with guides, and I just loaded on the steeper ramp at Evert’s on Sunday without issue. Angling the trailer a little down stream is critical. Come from downstream and aim your bow right at the upstream trailer wheel fender. You want to be coming at the trailer at a little more than a 45 degree angle so that you get the bow to come in between the bunks. When the bow hits the upstream bunk, crank the wheel and apply some throttle. Bang, you’re home. Works every time and you never touch the side guides.

Quote:

---

I just loaded on the steeper ramp at Evert’s on Sunday

---

That’s when and where this video was shot.

Quote:

---

I don’t believe I saw Steve wait to drain his boat over the water !!! Naughty, naughty…..

---

The temp was in the 40’s on sunday.

38

Quote:

---

How about with a bunk trailer? I’ve tried this way but with the built in guide-ons you risk damage approaching the trailer at such a steep angle.

---

Crankbait, if you have the short guide ons, take them off. For me they were more of a pain than anything. I was having issues getting the angle steep enough in fast current to load with them on. Now she goes on easy.

Anlge the trailer if you can, but don’t go so far that you take up both ramps or drop a trailer off of the ramp… A little angle goes a long way.

Jami