Tips for moving the boat forward on the trailer

[ShawnL]

When we hauled out last fall, we ended up having the boat a little to far back on the trailer. It was a combination of ramp conditions, timing, my wife not liking the exhaust pipe touching the water, and a lot of just needing to get it done. I'm terribly late splashing this summer (work keeps getting in the way) but would really like to try to move the boat about 6 inches or so forward on the trailer before trying to launch. It doesn't sound like much, but at least on my trailer it makes a big difference -- right now I can lift the tongue of the trailer with one hand. Normally, I need to use the jack. It's a short drive to the boat launch, but I'd really rather it not be so lite in front. It towed fine on the trip home last year, but I'm questioning how it's going to behave on the ramp when splashing.

Maybe I'm just over thinking it -- but when we hauled out, I removed the rudder and placed it in the v-berth and stowed the motor in the truck because it was all weight aft I didn't need. I can't really install the motor after it's in the water, it's too heavy for that.

I also really don't want to block up the entire transom and then try to jack up the bow just to nudge it forward a couple of inches, but I'm not sure what else to do. I though of placing a floor jack with appropriate wooden bracing above around mid-ships and trying to jack it up enough to be able to defeat the friction of the bunks and winch it a little farther forward. Wondering if anyone else has any good ideas before I just say the heck with it and give it a shot.

 

[brockangelo]

Not sure if it would help, but hosing down the bunks would probably loosen that part up if you need to go that route. Maybe that plus a Jack on the aft plus the trailer winch?

 

[danooxnard]

I have moved mine forward on the trailer after hauling it out of the water by driving slow 1-1.5 mph and tapping the brakes. it will move the boat forward 2 inches into the stop at bow. I would be very careful doing this if you have to move 6 inches. you will to have the bunks wet for it to move. It may be better to slow drive ot the marina with some extra weight in the v birth.

Dano

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

I got nothing. But I will say a couple of prayers that it all works out for you.

Good luck.

 

[Leeward Rail]

It towed fine on the trip home last year, but I'm questioning how it's going to behave on the ramp when splashing.

How far is the trip ?

If it towed home fine, unless something has changed in regards to weight position, tow vehicle used, road speed, wind conditions etc. then it would act the same way going back to the ramp.
Just reverse the exact same procedure you did when hauling it.

Just make sure the hitch coupler is locked, drive slow, and add some weight to the front to make trailer have more tongue weight..
Sandbags with cargo straps or whatever..just make sure the weight is secure. Without seeing the boat on the trailer..putting weight in the v berth would likely also work. The closer the added weight is to the tongue, the better.

 

[Tedd]

It sounds like a lot of trouble to go through when you already have positive tongue load. Heck, I've towed non-boat trailers a short distance with negative tongue load. It's not really the distance of the tow that's the issue, it's the speed. If you don't have to go over 25 or maybe 30 mph there's very little to be concerned about.

And didn't you drive that exact same route when you stored the boat? How is this different?

 

[Will Gilmore]

You can try securing the boat to your garage with a could of spring lines and back the vehicle and trailer up, underneath it.

-Will

 

[Project_Mayhem]

When I moved my bow/winch stand forward I just cranked the winch to move the boat forward about 6". The keel hangs off the front of the bunk a bit but hasnt caused caused any issues

 

[Gene Neill]

I have moved mine forward on the trailer after hauling it out of the water by driving slow 1-1.5 mph and tapping the brakes. it will move the boat forward 2 inches into the stop at bow. I would be very careful doing this if you have to move 6 inches. you will to have the bunks wet for it to move. It may be better to slow drive ot the marina with some extra weight in the v birth.

Dano

This. Only I go a lot faster than 1.5mph and slam the brakes a lot harder than a "tap". It works like a charm and is 100% safe.

 

[ShawnL]

Tried everything I could think of, short of jacking the entire boat up and couldn't budge it. So we just drove to the ramp slowly -- it's only about 10 miles and the trailer wasn't too squirmy until we got up over 50mph. So I kept it at 45 or less and we _finally_ splashed for the season.

I won't make that mistake again when we haul out in a couple of months.