loading boat?

[slabberknocker]

To start off I have owned a boat for 3 years before selling it and getting a new one this year. The problem is this: I can not get the boat on perfectly straight. I have never had problems before this boat. My last boat was a 16 ft Sylvan and this boat is a 17.5 ft Alumacraft. The back end needs to go over about 4 inches. Is this a big deal? I am kind of a perfectionist when it comes to stuff like this, so I want to know if I am hurting my trailer at all if it is a little off. Also I could use any suggestions. I tried placing my trialer at all different spots this weekend from back rollers not touching water to back set of rollers completely in and everywhere in between. Would a set of guides help any? It is makeing me frustrated when I loaded my old boat hundreds of times by myself with no problems and am having a hell of atime with this one.

Thanks Slab

[legendelite]

I keep the rear rollers just below the water surface. No need to dump the entire trailer into the lake. A set of guides will help on windy days or river fishing. Make sure the guides remain above the water line, otherwise they are useless.

[Wave Runner]

A majority of loading problems are caused by having too much trailer in the water...

[slabberknocker]

I back the trailer in so the back row of rollers are just in the water. I never had problems with my old boat, just this one. I know if you get in to deep, the back end just floats around and will not be on straight.

Thanks
Slab

[Guest]

Is it bunk or roller? Rollers are harder to do than bunks.

Also, look to see how they are aligned! If there is too much spacing between the rollers or bunks, where they might not guide right on the stringers, you may always load crooked.

Also, look to see if the height of the rollers/bunks are "level", where one isn't "cockeyed" via being to high or too low. Had this problem on a roller trailer before..........it was like pulling teeth to put it on straight. Then found one of the roller sections was lower than the other, causing the boat to "rock" on the center rollers.

Take it to the dealer (if that is where you bought if from) and tell them your problems, maybe they have a quick fix.

If not, I would recommend crawling under it on a creeper and start measuring/looking for proper alignments...........I think you will solve your problem there......

[rmh2o]

Usually it is because the trailer is too far in the water but can sometimes be a pain also if the landing isnt level.It wont really hurt it to be a little off but I dont like that either.The guides can help but I have also seen boats get damaged by them trying to land in rough water.

[Guest]

A problem I had was because I had too much weight on one side. My fat butt plus the majority of my batteries.

I moved the batteries to the other side this year and it has made a world of difference. Before the boat would kick over to the right, now it goes on almost perfect.

You might want to see how balanced your rig is and do not forget to count yourself.

Good luck.

[who are those guy]

I have the same problem with my lund. I tried every which way to get it straight - but off by 4" one way or the other. It is due to how the rollers catch the hull. The best way to get it straight is to get the trailer as deep as possible - hook up the boat and pull it out straight. Obviously this method doesnt work in wind or bad launches. So most of the time 4" is negotiable.

[Farley]

4 inches? Push it over after you get it out of the water. The rollers will be wet enought that the boat will slide into position as long as your front V roller has a good grip on the center of the hull.

[jeffleek]

Slabberknocker,
I have a lund with a shorelander trailer. I had some problems right away. Now when I load the boat I get it somewhat straight and get the keel on the front roller, I look over and run the motor either to the right or the left to push back end where I want it. Make sure you have the motor trimmed up a little. Works great for me.

[slabberknocker]

Boy thanks for all the replies guys. I dont feel as stupid now since it happens to other people. My arm was so sore Sat night. I bet I tried reloding 15 or 16 times and could not get it right. Tom I am going to check out the weight deal. Also I am going to look at the rollers to see if one is messed up or something. I may just call the dealer too since it is a brand new package. Also the trailer is a roller shoreland'r. Keep the info comming

Thanks
Slab

[Thomas]

i had the same problem. you can't move the boat 4" with your arms. however you can move the rollers, which i did - boat off the trailer. the rollers are not centered, but the boat is. i would try just moving the front ones at first - one at a time until the boat is straight. don't do this on the opener.

[scalescratcher]

I previously owned a Alumacraft V16LTD that had the live well on one side. The boat would normally load straight but as soon as I had water in the well it was a totally different ball game. Too much weight on one side is a factor as mentioned earlier. I got a used 1750 Fishhawk w/ a Shoreland'r roller trailer and found the Shoreland'r HSOforum helpful for tips on launching and loading. They recommend backing the trailer in until the far rear foot pads just submerge to start and then adjusting the distance from there depending on the boat and how it loads.

[wishiniwerefishin]

I had the same problem also, i now stand in the middle when driving it on, and when cranking i turn the motor so it will straighten it out, provided that it is always off in the same direction. Being off 4 inches shouldn't hurt the trailer at all

[fishin789]

when i bought my boat it didn't go on the trailer quite right either. i spent some time at the boat ramp adjusting the rollers till it went on right.had to take it off the trailer many time to make adjustments but now i can load my boat by my self even with a cross wind. as long as the boat makes it between the first set of rollers i can get it up straight.now all i have to do is back it in till the back rollers are just touching the water and it comes up straight every time.