Thanks. Yes, I back the trailer down into the water to where a cross
brace traverses the front of the "A-frame" and at this point, the stern
of the boat floats and I can then push it off the trailer. For
retrieval, I probably should back the trailer down a few more inches and
see what happens

For retrieving, there is a trade-off between getting the boat aligned on the bunks
(trailer higher out of the water) and not having much to winch up (trailer lower in
the water). It is difficult to get this perfect the first time, especially since
it's also affected by the ramp's pitch.

... I am not a fan of "powering" the boat onto the trailer, since that
puts a hell of a strain on the trailer bunks and uprights.

And the transom, and tends to suck dirt into the impeller, and erodes the bank under
the ramp... this last point is why "power loading" is against the rules at many
ramps. But a lot of people do it anyway.


One of the guys on a fishing board suggested I make sure I am in "low"
gear when winding up the winch, and you know, that never occurred to
me...I do have a two-speed winch, and I've never tried "low."

???



JohnH wrote:
Use low range. I'd take two feet of hand winching and be happy with it. If
winching the boat two feet is wearing you out, then you need more exercise.

Agreed. Two feet ought not be a problem.

Fair Skies
Doug King