Bow Roller vs. Bow

[Joe Lee]

I'm a new boat owner and the only way for me to get the bow of my boat to end up on top of my trailers bow roller is to put the wench strap on top of the roller and wench the boat up over the roller. Is this normal? My bow roller height is not adjustable so I don't know what else to do. Any ideas? Am I too far in the water with the trailer? I've tried many depths for the trailer all with the same result. Thank you in advance for any help. I have a Tracker trailer made for my Nitro boat.

 

[Ken Neeley]

What kind of boat?

 

[Steven Atwell]

Going a bit higher on the ramp will assure your boat lays on the bunks, and points upward like it should. Too deep in, and all you get is a tiny bit of bunk. Just back it down 1st to get the carpet on the bunks plenty wet, then pull forward. Just pratice when nobody is around (so you don't feel like a goober), you'll get it right................sa

 

[Staci Matheis]

Ditto what Steven said.



Just have your trailer further out of the water and as the boat slides up the bunks, they will force the bow over the roller.



me!

 

[Joe Lee]

My boat is a 1996 Nitro 205 Sport.

 

[Mark Hofman]

Joe:



There is a picture of me loading my boat in the library section under my member profile. Take a look at how deep I've backed the trailer and compare it to your situation.



Scott and Steve are bang on the money. If you go too deep, the bow doesn't end up where it should. Back the trailer in so that the entire length of the bunks is wet, then pull out so that only 1/3 or at most 1/2 of the bunk is submerged. If you can't power up to the bow roller, back in a bit further until you can. If you are floating most of the way toward the bow roller, you're in too far.



The other problem with the trailer being too deep is that my boat tended to load kind of cock-eyed. The keel didn't line up with the center of the trailer. When I stopped backing in so far, the boat centered itself on the bunks. Hope this helps.

 

[Texas Transplant]

Went through this same thing again myself this past weekend. Went in too far, and 'we' had all kind of trouble getting loaded properly.



All of us go through the learning process - some of us have to go to remidial training.

 

[Staci Matheis]

MO -



Your boat would looks LOTS bigger if I were behind the wheel!:^)

me!

 

[Mark Hofman]

Yes, and it wouldn't list to starboard so much either!!!!

 

[Mark Hofman]

Here's a wider shot that includes the truck and ramp:

 

[Mark Hofman]

By the way, you should always remember to take the fenders off before loading so that they don't get wedged between the boat and the spare tire! Came durn close to popping one of mine on this trip.

 

[Staci Matheis]

OH! You mean the rubber bumper things..... I thought you ment the fenders on the trailer and was thinkin' "Wha' the heck?"

 

[Staci Matheis]

P.S.



But at least you don't need a booster cushion so you can reach the steering wheel!

 

[Mark Hofman]

Sorry, I had to go tour the campus we're thinking of buying.



I should have said dock bumpers instead of fenders. Yeah, we pinned that baby so good we had to deflate it a bit to get it out. Why I had one of those inflating needles in my tool box I'll never know, but I am glad it's there!