Should we submerge a trailer when we launch a 18-ft boat from it? I
was asking this because I saw the boat dealer who sold my boat almost
fully submerged the trailer when they launched the boat for a sea
trail. I was under the impression that we should move the trailer down
to the point where the wheel axle is right above water. I was kind of
surprised to see that. Does this have something to do with the fact
that the trailer doesn't have a way to tilt the boat down? May be the
boat dealer just want the boat into the water as quickly as possible?

What's the proper way to launch a boat from a trailer if the trailer
doesn't have a way to tilt the boat?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

wrote:
Should we submerge a trailer when we launch a 18-ft boat from it? I
was asking this because I saw the boat dealer who sold my boat almost
fully submerged the trailer when they launched the boat for a sea
trail. I was under the impression that we should move the trailer down
to the point where the wheel axle is right above water. I was kind of
surprised to see that. Does this have something to do with the fact
that the trailer doesn't have a way to tilt the boat down? May be the
boat dealer just want the boat into the water as quickly as possible?

What's the proper way to launch a boat from a trailer if the trailer
doesn't have a way to tilt the boat?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

Depending on the angle of the ramp, the depth of the water, the design
of the trailer, and the draft of the boat on the trailer you will need
to submerge the trailer to different depths to launch. Often this means
the trailer will be almost completely submerged. It's important to make
sure that your wiring is waterproof (most people disconnect the brake
lights before backing in) and that your wheel bearings are protected.

wrote:

: Depending on the angle of the ramp, the depth of the water, the design
: of the trailer, and the draft of the boat on the trailer you will need
: to submerge the trailer to different depths to launch. Often this means
: the trailer will be almost completely submerged. It's important to make
: sure that your wiring is waterproof (most people disconnect the brake
: lights before backing in) and that your wheel bearings are protected.


Good answer.

The key is to get the boat floating. Back up enough to get the back end of the
boat to "bob up". Note the depth of the trailer at that point. When
I retrieve my boats, I usually have the trailer a little more shallow than
the "float point" so it'll self center on the trailer. For my small I/O,
that's usually when the fender of the trailer is about 2 inches out
of the water.

However, every boat, trailer and ramp behaves differently so you'll have
to get to know your setup.

barry

On Mon, 07 Nov 2005 10:06:48 -0800, wrote:

wrote:

: Depending on the angle of the ramp, the depth of the water, the design
: of the trailer, and the draft of the boat on the trailer you will need
: to submerge the trailer to different depths to launch. Often this means
: the trailer will be almost completely submerged. It's important to make
: sure that your wiring is waterproof (most people disconnect the brake
: lights before backing in) and that your wheel bearings are protected.


Good answer.

The key is to get the boat floating. Back up enough to get the back end of the
boat to "bob up". Note the depth of the trailer at that point. When
I retrieve my boats, I usually have the trailer a little more shallow than
the "float point" so it'll self center on the trailer. For my small I/O,
that's usually when the fender of the trailer is about 2 inches out
of the water.

However, every boat, trailer and ramp behaves differently so you'll have
to get to know your setup.

barry
Like you, I find that I am about right when the tops of my trailer
fenders are just above water.

Dave Hall

Depending on the angle of the ramp, the depth of the water, the design
of the trailer, and the draft of the boat on the trailer you will need
to submerge the trailer to different depths to launch. Often this means
the trailer will be almost completely submerged.

Thanks. This makes sense. The ramp in the boat dealer's place is kind
of flat. This probably explains the reason why the boat dealer needed
to almost fully submerge the trailer in order to launch the boat.

It's important to make sure that your wiring is waterproof
(most people disconnect the brake lights before backing in)
and that your wheel bearings are protected.

Yes, I will make sure I will put this in the check-list of "Pre-Launch
Preparation".

Thanks.

Jay Chan