I have dropped my boat hundreds of times. And yet, here I am watching this video. Nothing I would change about what is said. Everyone should watch this when they get their firsr boat.
I always open a window in the tow vehicle while backing up. That way if there is an issue someone can warn you. It could be a kid, dog anything. Too many time I see the windows closed, AC On, radio on. There is no way anyone can warn you of a possible problem
Another tip for those like yourself who're driving a truck is to put the tailgate down when reversing. That means you can see a lot more of the trailer, especially if there's no boat on it or it's a small trailer like for a jet ski.
I launch my boat 3-4times a week and I will say with confidence I never was that guy at the ramp. Since day 1 I was that guy who did it 1 and done. That being said did I get better over the years… most definitely
I know most people unhook the boat from the winch before backing down, but I’ve seen two boats end up on concrete doing this. I always keep the boat hooked up until my winch is close to the waterline. Takes 10 seconds to get out of my truck and unclip…. worth the peace of mind. Both boats were 20 foot aluminum bass boats with large (but factory recommended) outboards. Slide right off the trailer on dry bunks.
Exactly so. I take off the safety chain when I set up the boat but I leave the winch on until it's in the water. It only takes a second to undo, but it can save you from a very bad day.
I always comment on these videos. I have the same boat. 2006 1720. I have a dock line permanently tied to my trucks tie down cleat with a stainless carabiner. I just hook my bow line and back in. The rope just lets the boat glide off. Also your scuppers are letting a bunch of water in. Mine has the ping pong balls that float up and seal the scupper. They seem to work well. This winter I will be doing a buff and wax, she’s showing her age.
Great video. One thing to mention - no need to put it in 1st gear, as that's what OverDrive is going to use anyway...until a speed is reached that's way faster than driving up a boat ramp.
Older vehicles probably should stay out of overdrive anyway if towing as it will heat up the tranny. Newer trucks monitor temps and know they're towing once the 4/7 pin is plugged in
Great video simple to the point, although a very stressful situation the first few times you can assure it will get better later, my rule of thumb is "no kids around during this process", trust me...thanks Aaron for sharing.
Same way I do been doing it for years I hook to trailer had to learn nobody could always go fishing with me so wasn't going let that stop me from going .it works great
How about adding that to be sure it is legal at your ramp to power load your boat. Most of the ramps I've been to in Michigan say no power loading. Power loading can damage a ramp by washing away the sand/dirt supporting the bottom of the concrete.
Not exactly a transom saver, more a hydraulics saver... it puts the weight of the motor directly on the mounting point instead of bouncing on the trim/tilt hydraulics. I have something similar, a block of rubber with a notch in it that fits around the hydraulic ram which you lower the motor onto. Unfortunatley the rearmost crossmember on my trailer has a gap in the middle so I can't use a prop from the trailer to the outboard leg. It's not a perfect solution but it's better than killing the hydraulics.
Get a Drotto installed on your winch stand, and you'll NEVER have any of these troubles again! Never again! :) Also, I've never been where new boaters are when launching boats. I was born knowing how to back a trailer and launch/retrieve a boat. Because I'm a MAN, I was born knowing how to do ALL of these things that MEN should know how to do. If you're a male and you can't back a trailer, just know that I'm watching and laughing at you because you didn't practice in the off season while no one was around. ;)
I knew a guy who bragged about how fast he was launching his boat, complaining about everybody else- how slow and useless they were. Eventually he screwed up and ended up with his truck underwater . Don’t be that guy, it’s not a race.
Bearings should be sealed. We were always taught to go until the vehicles rear wheels touch the water. So a tad less than this, but the trailer wheels will always be under water. I cringe when I see folks stop miles from the water, hooking up the boat and literally winching the whole thing out of the water and up onto the trailer, it's not designed for that!
My boat won't float off the bunks unless the trailer's in to the top of the guards. That's ok, the bearings are sealed and I use bearing buddies. Just gotta keep the maintenance up.
I have dropped my boat hundreds of times. And yet, here I am watching this video. Nothing I would change about what is said. Everyone should watch this when they get their firsr boat.
I always open a window in the tow vehicle while backing up. That way if there is an issue someone can warn you. It could be a kid, dog anything. Too many time I see the windows closed, AC On, radio on. There is no way anyone can warn you of a possible problem
Another tip for those like yourself who're driving a truck is to put the tailgate down when reversing. That means you can see a lot more of the trailer, especially if there's no boat on it or it's a small trailer like for a jet ski.
I launch my boat 3-4times a week and I will say with confidence I never was that guy at the ramp. Since day 1 I was that guy who did it 1 and done. That being said did I get better over the years… most definitely
I know most people unhook the boat from the winch before backing down, but I’ve seen two boats end up on concrete doing this. I always keep the boat hooked up until my winch is close to the waterline. Takes 10 seconds to get out of my truck and unclip…. worth the peace of mind.
Both boats were 20 foot aluminum bass boats with large (but factory recommended) outboards. Slide right off the trailer on dry bunks.
Exactly so. I take off the safety chain when I set up the boat but I leave the winch on until it's in the water. It only takes a second to undo, but it can save you from a very bad day.
Excellent video for those new to boating
I always comment on these videos. I have the same boat. 2006 1720. I have a dock line permanently tied to my trucks tie down cleat with a stainless carabiner. I just hook my bow line and back in. The rope just lets the boat glide off. Also your scuppers are letting a bunch of water in. Mine has the ping pong balls that float up and seal the scupper. They seem to work well. This winter I will be doing a buff and wax, she’s showing her age.
Great video. One thing to mention - no need to put it in 1st gear, as that's what OverDrive is going to use anyway...until a speed is reached that's way faster than driving up a boat ramp.
Older vehicles probably should stay out of overdrive anyway if towing as it will heat up the tranny. Newer trucks monitor temps and know they're towing once the 4/7 pin is plugged in
I got my first boat this summer and backing the trailer up the first time was nerve racking. After about 14 times it's easier still need practice.
Find an empty carpark or similar and spend an hour or two reversing your boat around it, you'll never have a problem at the ramp again.
Great video simple to the point, although a very stressful situation the first few times you can assure it will get better later, my rule of thumb is "no kids around during this process", trust me...thanks Aaron for sharing.
Great instructional video great job there is a lot of first time boat owners
Awesome tutorial Aaron!
Same way I do been doing it for years I hook to trailer had to learn nobody could always go fishing with me so wasn't going let that stop me from going .it works great
I live in Indian River and recognized the ramp. I am also in the marine industry and a native of Indian river. Reach out
How about adding that to be sure it is legal at your ramp to power load your boat. Most of the ramps I've been to in Michigan say no power loading. Power loading can damage a ramp by washing away the sand/dirt supporting the bottom of the concrete.
Is that Key West your personal ride? Are they quality builds?
1 better, join a dry stack marina. 1 call, the boat is in the water. Best investment ever.
One of my least favorite ramps in the southern Brevard/northern Indian river county area. What brought you up to these parts?
I’m in Melbourne. What ramp is that?
Transom Saver? How does that 2x4 work? I’ve never seen that setup.
Not exactly a transom saver, more a hydraulics saver... it puts the weight of the motor directly on the mounting point instead of bouncing on the trim/tilt hydraulics. I have something similar, a block of rubber with a notch in it that fits around the hydraulic ram which you lower the motor onto. Unfortunatley the rearmost crossmember on my trailer has a gap in the middle so I can't use a prop from the trailer to the outboard leg. It's not a perfect solution but it's better than killing the hydraulics.
Driving the boat onto the trailer (power loading) is not allowed everywhere.
Get a Drotto installed on your winch stand, and you'll NEVER have any of these troubles again! Never again! :) Also, I've never been where new boaters are when launching boats. I was born knowing how to back a trailer and launch/retrieve a boat.
Because I'm a MAN, I was born knowing how to do ALL of these things that MEN should know how to do. If you're a male and you can't back a trailer, just know that I'm watching and laughing at you because you didn't practice in the off season while no one was around. ;)
I knew a guy who bragged about how fast he was launching his boat, complaining about everybody else- how slow and useless they were.
Eventually he screwed up and ended up with his truck underwater .
Don’t be that guy, it’s not a race.
+
Your trailer is too deep. My God... think about the wheel bearings.
Australian salt water: old boy!!!
🌏🫛
Bearings should be sealed.
We were always taught to go until the vehicles rear wheels touch the water. So a tad less than this, but the trailer wheels will always be under water.
I cringe when I see folks stop miles from the water, hooking up the boat and literally winching the whole thing out of the water and up onto the trailer, it's not designed for that!
My boat won't float off the bunks unless the trailer's in to the top of the guards. That's ok, the bearings are sealed and I use bearing buddies. Just gotta keep the maintenance up.