Boat Trailering Question

[amateurfishing]

So I have my new (used) 16 ft crestliner explorer that needs significant motor work which i have not yet been able to afford fixing yet. I do have a bow mount trolling motor on it though. I have gone fishing twice since ice out and I think shore fishing now sucks (espiecially if i cannot find fish). Would it be a good idea or not just to take the boat to backyard small lake & play around with it using trolling motor only or is it not advisable since I have never had boat out yet and be very difficult to get it back on trailer without motor working yet.

[lunkerlander]

Go out in the boat but don't go alone. I am sure you and a buddy can get a 16' boat on the trailer with no motor. Watch the wind though.

[Tator2k]

I have a 17" Princecraft I fish by myself all the time and don't have problem loading and unloading it w/o use of a motor.

[amateurfishing]

Tator, how do u load boat without motor pushing it on trailer? Pull the winch out all the way & park right next to dock?

[Down Deep]

Get a bow rope longer than the trailer; pull the boat on shore; back the trailer in; push the boat out and guide it on with the rope; attach the winch strap; crank up. Bring along some knee high boots because sometimes it helps to be able to get into the water a bit to guide the boat on.

[Tator2k]

Exactly. I have 20ft bow line. (and knee boats ) I also have a 50 dockline also in the boat. Most trailers will help the boat self-center and you just pull it in close enough to get the winch strap and and crank away.

[Northlander]

Get used to doing it this way because most landing are banning power loading. At least in my area.