Thread: Getting your boat to the shore & back on to the trailer

Can anybody explain to me in detail the best way a newbie like me can get his boat back on to the trailer. What is the ideal distance to stop your motor in order for you to get you boat on to the shore without landing in the middle of no mans land. From there what is the simplest way taking into account rough water to get your boat back on the trailer. How deep must you reverse you trailer in ( in connection to water level to your trailer tyres & trailer rollers). Please note i will be attempting this alone for the first time so please take this into account. Your guidance will be highly appreciated.

I shane it all depends on what boat and trailer you have. One think I have found is that if you reverse your trailer in too deep it is more difficult to line it up correctly. With my Drogonfly I kep the mud guards just out of the water and it does the trick.

Shane, I am at Alberts on Sunday and can assist where possible. Is your boat ready to rubble yet?

You want to keep the front part of the bunks just out of the water so that you can line up properly when you drive onto the trailer.

I've found that it's better to keep your momentum up when doing this, a lot of guys (myself included until I learnt better) go too slowly, controlling your direction is very difficult in that case.

Also, remember to trim your motor up after the boat is settled and secured, I forgot once and "trimmed" most of the metal off the skeg as I drove up the ramp.

Thats great Vaalboy. Need somebody experienced to show me the ropes. What time would you be at Alberts so i can meet u there at the gate.

I will be there around 6ish - meet me at the first launch ramp - I have mailed you my cell number.

Thanks mate. Much appreciated.

How was your first day out on the boat Shane?

Hi Duritz. My first time on the boat when better than expected. Was a bit nervous at first but thanks to Mark for the help that was given it made my boating a bit more enjoyable.Still need to learn how the trim & tilt thing works had a bit of problems with the trim & tilt as sometimes it was not selecting properly. I think it may be the pin that needs adjusting ,there is a silver pin that goes thru the eye of the motor that is rubbing against the metal & i need to check on the fluid level.Dissapointed though never caught any fish. Damn thats bad spent 1 gallon of petrol & not even a bite. Need to learn the different spots that fish well at the dam. To some it all up it was a good day out on the water even though the fishing sucked.

Thanks Vaalboy / Mark. People like you give bass fishermen a good name. Good one .

Shane, sorry to hear you didn't catch any fish. They'll come with time. Let's hope someone can help out with the trim and tilt issue.

One of the best ways to learn the water quickly is to watch where all the other guys fish. Over time you'll find your own honey holes. Another good way is to go fishing with someone who knows the dam. If it means you fish off their boat for the day, so be it.

Looking forward to your pics. Post some of your boat as well. Tight lines