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Boat trailer winches usually have a small 'L' shaped lever that locks a cog to engage/disengage the drive. These often rust up and are hard to move.
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∙ 8y ago
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What is the problem with using your boat engine to drive onto a trailer?
If your boat trailer is situated properly you will need very little effort to get the boat up onto the trailer. Using the engine will result in possible major damage to the boat, the trailer and its towing vehicle. It's always best to use the winch and crank it up slowly as in that manner you are in full control of things, whereas with the motor you are not.
How do you wire a boat winch do I use the truck or Boat Battery?
truck battery Check the specifications on the winch to find its voltage and amperage.
How do you use tilt boat trailer?
A tilt trailer is the best type of trailer to have I think, since you don't need a boat ramp to launch your boat. I have a tilt trailer. First, make sure your boat and trailer are balanced properly. The boat weight should be forward of the axle slightly, so that the trailer does not tilt when the bow of the boat is touching the bow stop. Balance the trailer and boat by adjusting the axle and bow stop positions on the frame. (The tongue weight also has to be right, of course.) Also, if your trailer has bunks, the majority of the boat's weight should be on the keel rollers and not the bunks. Finally, all the tilt trailers that I have seen have a safety chain wrapped underneath the trailer tongue to keep the trailer from tilting too much. I think that's a good feature to have. When launching, back up to the water (on the beach or boat ramp) until the water is deep enough. This depends on your boat and prop length. For my boat, I back up until the water level is just below the wheel bearings or axle. Pull the tilt pin. Also, some tilt trailers have a lever that lowers the bunks to reduce friction. Start to slide the boat backwards, holding onto a bow line. If your boat is heavy, you may want to use the winch to control the speed, as the boat can accelerate as the trailer tilts. As the boat moves backwards, the trailer automatically tilts back. The boat just rolls along the keel rollers into the water. When retrieving your boat, the process is just reverse. As you winch the boat up on the aft keel roller, the trailer automatically tilts back. As the bow reaches the bow stop, the trailer frame levels out again. Before you drive off, remember to replace the tilt pin! A tilt trailer is pretty easy to use and you usually don't have to submerge your wheel bearings in the water!
Boat Trailer ratings are based on what?
total weight of boat and trailer
Where can you get a boat trailer registration?
You can get a boat trailer registration from the DMV for your state.
What are the steps to put a pontoon boat on a trailer?
Back the trailer into the water until the last 2" of bunk boards are still out of the water. Get on pontoon boat and drive it toward the bunks board you can still see above the water, slowly. Even though you are going slow, you will still have enough momentum to overcome the drag of the bunk boards that are above the water. These will help hold the boat in place while you go to the front, if you don't have help, and connect the winch hook. If there is a lot of current you may need to leave the boat in forward gear, pushing it against the trailer, until the winch cable/strap is connected to the boat. Slowly pull the boat out of the water, checking as it come out to see if the boat is centered in the bunks. If it is not you may need to back it back into the water enough that the back end floats, so you can center it on the bunks.
What is the problem with using your boat engine to drive it onto a trailer?
This could damage the engine.
What is the problem with using your boats engine to drive it onto the trailer?
No problem, it is perfectly OK to drive your boat on to the trailer with the engine as long as there is enough clearance to keep the prop from hitting anything or anyone. I used to do it all the time. As soon as you start to feel resistance from the hull resting on the trailer skids stop and use the winch the rest of the way.
How can one person solo launch his own boat?
Pull into the pre-launch area... (or even while in line) 1) Put the plugs in the boat (I have two) 2) Untie transom straps... disconnect bow safety chain (leave winch strap in place though) 3) Hook up all electronics (gps/sonar/vhf/etc) 4) Put up antennas 5) Turn on batteries (I need both on for initial startup) 6) make sure key is in ignition 7) Bow and stern lines out (both in reach from bow!)... any dock lines or bumpers too. 8) Get lifevests out of cuddy 9) Load all personal effects and secure as best as possible 10) Show any new person (to my boat) where safety equipment is located 11) When its clear, back down ramp. (With my boat, going in until my trailer fenders are just under water is perfect for a float off...) 12) Grab bow (and if being used, stern) line... tie to dock with slack OR if no dock, tie to winch support with slack. 13) Relieve pressure on winch hook, remove from bow ring 14) Push boat off trailer using guide lines to steer boat where you want it. 15) Tie up boat securely and out of next launchers way 16) Hop back in vehicle and pull out of launch ramp to parking area. 17) Get in boat and have a great time! For LOADING... do in reverse... I have found that leaving the back sets of rollers slightly exposed from the water makes it much easier for me to line up the boat for loading. Once the hull slides past these rollers it serves to keep it from moving sideways in the current. I always float the boat on... but you pretty much NEED a dock beside the ramp to do that. If doing this, leave your boat tied up to the dock beyond where the back of your trailer will rest. Once trailer is in water, grab the bow line (and stern line if used) and move up to winch post of trailer. Now simply pull the bow of the boat up through the center of the trailer. (You may need to get off the trailer to pull the ropes from a greater angle to steer the bow onto the roller or bunks) Once boat is started on trailer, give it a good pull so it comes as far forward as possible. Tie bowline to winch post to keep the boat from sliding back. Now let out slack in winch strap, hook bow ring and winch boat up tight. Once snug, pull out of ramp and complete your "breakdown" in the post-launch area. (Don't forget to hook safety chain, transom straps and pull out plugs)
What is the first thing you should to after retrieving a boat on a trailer?
Pull The trailer away from the boat ramp
What the first thing you do after retrieving a boat onto a trailer?
Pull The trailer away from the boat ramp.
What is required to operate a boat in Iowa?
Trailer ratings are based on the total weight of the trailer and boat.
