new boat owners need boat guides for trailer

[Richard/Charlotte Anderson]

My husband is having trouble loading our new 188FS. Which really bugs him. The water levels are low here due to 4 years of drought and the ramps are steep. We are unsure of how deep to put the trailer in the water. Want to purchase guides for trailer. Cabelas has bunk guides, low profile bunk guides, roller guide ons etc. Our nitro trailer has those little silver running boards in front of and behind the wheel. Do any of you have guides on your trailer and can you give me advice regarding which ones we whould buy and how to adjust them ?

 

[Bill McElroy]

next time you launch the boat,...back in slowly until you see the transom start to float. Stop the truck and get out and make a mental/visual note of where exactly the trailer is in the water,..(is the water barely touching the front step pad??, or is it to the top of the wheel?, etc..etc..)...once you have that reference point,...you'll know exactly how deep to back the trailer in when it's time to load!! It'll be alot easier for your husband to put it on the trailer that way. Guides are fine if you really want them, but that's just additional expense and installation hassles to deal with in my opinion......once you know how deep to back the trailer in,...you'll be fine when it comes time to load it on the trailer. Just back in slowly,...when you see the transom start to float,...Stop!!...Note the depth,...when you want to pull out,.....back the trailer in to that spot.....and drive the boat up onto the trailer!! .Done deal!! Do that once ot trwice and you'll be a pro in no time!!

Mac

 

[Rich Stern]

Charlotte, I was going to make the same purchase, but I eventually learned to do exactly as Mac suggested.



I find that using the fenders as my visual depth guide makes it easier. For my boat and trailer, on most ramps, the "sweet spot" for loading/unloading is when the tops of the fenders are just above water. If the fenders are under water, I'm in too far. If too much of the wheel is showing underneath the fender, I'm not in far enough.



At the right spot, my boat will launch easily, and can be driven reliably right back onto the trailer without drifting.

 

[Staci Matheis]

The other solution would be to let Charlotte drive the boat!

 

[Richard/Charlotte Anderson]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Scott but trust me that is NOT a solution !!! I did catch the first fish though! Okay it was a bream about 4 inches long but it was bigger than a bean. You eat beans, don't ya !

 

[Bill McElroy]

Don't go there Charlotte!!!!....It's bad enuff that we have to put up with his song lyrics,.....we don't want him adding "music" to them too!!!!....LOL

Mac

 

[Staci Matheis]

So, Charlotte..... Could I interest you in some champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, white-chocolate covered blueberries, caffiene free Diet Dr. Pepper or pink wooley-buggers? Or how 'bout a duet? Do you know "That Marvelous Toy" by Peter, Paul & Mary?



:^)

me!

 

[Staci Matheis]

P.S., Charlotte -



See:



I'm baaack! by Carli, 2/25/2002 and

SCOOOOTT....They're heeeere!!!! by Carli, 5/9/2002