power loading

[Gadgetman]

I know there was a discussion about this some time ago but am not sure how it ended. Here is my question, I have a 19'ProV with a bunk trailer. The only way I can get it on the trailer is by driving it on. Last weekend some old goat sitting at the landing chewedme out for power loading and told me that if the DNR was there they would have written me up. Is there any truth to that? I try and do it as gently as possible to avoid as much wash out as possible, but obviously some stuff is probably being blown out of the loading hole. Anybody know the deal on this?

[Northlander]

Only at landings marked no power loading will you get in any trouble. Power loading is the norm at many landings by me. Bigger boats with bunks dont have much choice.

[prov1900]

I got the same boat and trailer style as you, so I understand. The thing that slays me is that I always get those strange looks from people when I do that, but if there was an Olympic event for time taken to load/unload and get the heck out of everyone's way, my wife and I would compete for the gold. Not to brag What are you hurting by powerloading anyway? If truth be known, I guess I never realized that was a violation anywhere. Thanks for the heads up!

[PerchJerker]

I powerload on a bunk trailer, have never had a problem or seen a sign prohibiting it.

[311Hemi]

I would also like to know what is hurt by powerloading. I never knew this was an issue anywhere until a few posts over that past few days. Any details would be great.

[prov1900]

I mean, youre over a concrete ramp most of the time, so it's not like you're upsetting anything in nature, i.e., killing eurasian milfoil, etc . I fish some electric only lakes and sometimes have fun trying to load that tub on the trailer, but if there is a dock, use two lines, one on the front cleat, one on the back, and lead it on, that is if the wind isnt blowing.

[LovenLifeGuy]

I have done it in front of the dnr and have also seen them do it, so I dont think it's an issue as far as it being legal.

Im not sure if this is caused by power loading but when I was at the garrison launch last week I hit my skeg on some gravel (It did no damage). It appeared to me that the high spot in the gravel was caused from the power loaders pushing all the loose gravel back a few feet and causing a real high/shallow spot. However, once you got over that high spot it got real deep and that is right where my motor drove up on the trailer and my guess is that is the same spot where most motors kick it down! I have also noticed this same deal at some other landings.

I could see how that would make a guy mad if they did do some damage to the prop or skeg of the motor on that hight spot! it's just to quick of a way to get my boat on the trailer!

LovenLifeGuy

[mnvikingsfreak]

maybe it is legal to power load at boat launches that don't have a sign but what about the people that don't have to power load and have to back the trailer into a 3 foot hole made by people power loading I don't get it I have a 18 foot 1972 heavy glastron and I don't need to power load and I have bunks so why do others? just back your trailer up more in the water more and use your wench they have 15 feet of strap for a reason you hook it on then crank up the boat I just wish people were more considerate of others that have to either break an ankle stepping into a hole or breaking an axel on the trailer when pulling out just my .2 cents

[LovenLifeGuy]

Im interested in seeing how many people power load vs. cranking it on? I dont see that many people cranking anymore! Im a power load guy but my wench strap only has 3 ft of strap!

I do see the problems that it causes tho

LovenLifeGuy

[fish2live]

i crank my boat up but, not because i have anything against power loading. seems like when i try to power load 75 % of the time it doesn't go on straight.

[BobT]

You actually think the concrete extends that far out into the lake? You are likely digging a hole in the substrate. I'd almost guarantee it.

I personally don't think it is the best thing to do but that's just my opinion. The advantage is that you guys make a nice deep pocket so we don't have to worry about hitting bottom with our outboards. For that, thanks. But from an environmental impact, I'm not sure it's all that significant. Whether power loading or not, the fact that we are going in and out of the lake is disturbing it already so is it really that bad?

I've said before that I am not in support of it but, oh well.

Bob

[musky hunter]

I always power load if at all possible, which is 99% of the time. Two big reasons: much faster to get out, and a whole lot easier on my back, which is riddled with old injuries. I can't really say that I have seen much evidence that power loading hurts anything, particularly on hard gravel or concrete launches. So unless the DNR states no power loading for a legitimate reason, and I'm not certain what the legitimate reason is, I'm 100% in favor of it.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'm for it!

[Stratosman]

There are two kinds of powerloader though, the ones that back in the trailer far enough where only a slight throttle kick will push the boat up far enough to crank the last foot or two, then there are the guys that think unless your're throwing a roostertail 30' back you're not doing it right. I think the latter is what some people view as unnecessary and it might be.

I have to powerload mine as there is now way to crank up a 21'er onto bunks, however, I do make sure I back the trailer in far enough so that I can just pretty muck drive it up within a couple feet of the hook then give it a bump and crank it the last foot or whatever.

As for ease of loading, I've owned rollers and bunks and bunks hands down superior as far as ease of loading goes. But again, like most things, it depends on the operator.

[fivebucks]

I also power load when possible. Yea it will create a hole but most of the time the hole is past anywhere where a tire could go into it. It causes damage to 10' of shoreline that gets some damaged anyhow with all the boats landing. Does it cause more? Yes but so does the concrete ramp and the docks going in and out. I don't think its that big of a deal and I think if the DNR did they would outlaw it. My 1c.

[wayner]

...

[cold one sd]

I don't have anything against power loading and I do it myself. I am always amazed when I am at the launch and I watch someone with a cell phone up to his ear blowing a rooster tail while loading. I always think why don't ya hang up and get a life. I think we could get a heck of a thread going about people that can't even take a dump without a cell at their ear. lol

[prov1900]

Youre right about the concrete on a lot of lakes, especially during drought time around here. But as far as having to create a roostertail, or just having to nudge it up, for me, depends on the crosswinds. The higher they are, the shallower I back my trailer in, to make sure I dont get blown off the side. Having had a roller trailer in the past and a bunk now, they both load differently. This topic is an eye opener, again explaining the strange looks I get sometimes when I have to do the roostertail. I always thought I was doing the world a favor by getting out of the way, but I will look at it differently now. I dont like doing the roostertail because where I typically load, it is fairly shallow, and that really gets that skeg and prop dangerously close to the hard stuff.

[83walleye]

How would the DNR respond if you dug a 4'x8' hole in front of your cabin with your outboards propwash? Let's say it was just off your dock - you know, make room for the big boat when the water's low.

If you were seen by a CO doing it intentionally, I'd say you'd be cited, or at least warned for dredging w/o a permit. What makes a landing any different? Aren't we all supposed to abide by the same rules?

IMHO, power loading is for people who are too lazy to get wet or too lazy to crank a bit on their winches. Can't use the winch because the landing is too shallow? Find another...why do they make winch straps 15'-20' long?

I saw two CO's power-loading a big 20' Boston Whaler at the Park Point landing last year. The one running the winch was tip-toeing around the water trying to reach out to connect strap to boat without getting his boots wet. The CO driving the boat had his two big Yamaha's about half-throttle pounding away - the boil behind his boat must've stretched out 150' or more. If the trailer guy had just backed the boat in the water 5' more, it'd gone on in an instant.

Interestingly enough, the DNR Exotic Species/Landing guy was there, and he said you wouldn't have believed how long they'd been working to get the boat on the trailer - his comments were that it is in fact really bad to be digging a deep hole and stirring all the mud and slush up from around the landing. The water around the landing looked just lousy.

But, of course, the CO's do what they need to do, I guess...whatever, big brother.

[archer59]

I was at the Ramsey beach ramp at WBL a couple years back, and needed to walk to the other side of my boat to adjust something while I was loading it. (windy I think )I really was suprised when I stepped behind the motor and found that 5' hole.

Nick

[buzzsaw]

I usually powerload, but not with any big thrust. I also usually dump in at lakes with concrete ramps so no washout of soil happens, however on lakes where powerloading would cause a hole to form I just pull it up with a long rope, which is hardly ever. If I'm fishing alone it is much easier and less time consuming for me and the people waiting in line if I powerload. I'd be competing with the other guy on this thread for the Gold medal. I do really take pride in dumping in and taking my boat off the lake, I think new boat owners should go to class or maybe the dealerships should start offering up a service to newbies on proper ettiquette and a hands on how to session.

[katoguy]

I like to fish in that 5' hole.

I see DNR agents drive on their trailers all the time. I will continue. It is quickest for me and all the people behind me. I don't believe it harms anything. I have stated in the past that most fisherman would learn a thing or two about quickly and efficiently loading if they would watch 50 boats coming off an access after a bass tourney. Smooth process.

As referred to above, there is a difference between power loading and driving on.

[BigWadeS]

I have a 1984 18' Crestliner with a roller trailer, I have tried last year twice to power load, crooked everytime. Now I take my time get it right the first time and pull it on and crank it. Much easier, for me, and a last cool down in the water from a hot day on the water.

[MNice]

As with anything, it's NOT the process, it's the people. We will without question run into idiots doing simple things in a stupid way, that's life. This is like the ford/chev, jiffy/strikemaster, lund/alumacraft and all the other debates going on.

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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I was at the Ramsey beach ramp at WBL a couple years back, and needed to walk to the other side of my boat to adjust something while I was loading it. (windy I think )I really was suprised when I stepped behind the motor and found that 5' hole.

Nick

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I have fallen in the same hole! Kinda wakes you up, LOL . Don't think its from power loading though. That landing is nice for big boats, but good luck getting the boat on the trailer straight.

[CatManLee]

It takes me forever and I get a sore shoulder when I have to winch my boat up on the trailer (it's heavy). Power loading for me...it takes me less than 60 seconds and I'm on my way! Plus if your trailer is set up right with guides and all, like mine you simply can't load the boat wrong! I have a roller trailer now, but with my old bass boat, it was really hard to winch, almost impossible!

Just my 2-Cents.