[LluberesMM]

I purchased my 2006 Mariah SX20 in June. I've had it out on the water at least 8 times so far. My biggest problem comes when I'm trying to load up for the day. I have an EZ Load Trailer and I drive a Range Rover. I submerse the trailer at the dock will the back wheels of the Range Rover just touch the water. However, I can get the boat to rise above the rubber bow rest on the trailer. Each and every time, we are having to put everyone to the back of the boat and have someone lift the bow up from the outside to get it to load properly. What am I doing wrong???

[ShabahZ250]

sounds to me like you've got the rover backed in way too far. I only back in until the trailer fenders are about an inch underwater. then when it comes time to winch it up, we pull the truck up a little bit so the angle isn't as steep. it's an angle thing. the lower in the water your trailer is, the higher the angle of the bow rest. plus the angle of the boat ramp has a lot to do with it too, every ramp is different!

here's something to do sometime, just observe people at your ramp with similar sized boats, check and see how far they're going in, then give it a try yourself. boating is all about learning from experiences, both your own and by watching others!

[blockp]

Yup, your trailer is too deep. Fenders just barely under water is about right for me.

Another advantage of not sinking it so deep, is when you drive or crank the boat onto the trailer it will align itself with the trailer. You won't have to mess with pushing it side to side to get it to sit straight on the trailer. Makes the whole process much quicker and less stressful.

[Rowdyh55]

Sounds like you are backing the trailer in too far. I have an EZ Loader and I back it in until I can just see the front fender sticking out of the water, drive the boat on and give it a little throttle untill the eye in front just bumps the roller, loads perfect every time.

[LluberesMM]

Thanks, Guys!! I will definitely give it a try this week.

[JohnZ202]

My 2 cents ... sit around the launch ramp and watch. Bring your video camera. I don't have one but wish I did just for what you see happening there. It is some of the best entertainment you'll ever see.

[otisroy]

John, I agree. Here's how to load your boat without the trailer at all.

We saw a plume of smoke and decided we'd check it out. We heard nobody was hurt, but can only gues how this happened. I'd say they forgot to run the blower before starting the engine. This was the 4th of July. The trailer on the left was FULL of fireworks for the display that night.

-Chris

[blockp]

What they said ^^ You do see the darnedest things at boat launches.

The last time I was at our usual launch spot which has three docks, and is 4 lanes wide I couldn't believe that we were stacked up almost 8 or so boats deep waiting to launch (rarely even have to wait, or maybe wait for one other boat). Turns out, using up two lanes were an older couple who obviously had never launched or retrieved a boat before. He couldn't get the trailer in the water and she was screaming at him from the end of the dock where she was holding the boat. Both still wearing their life jackets. By the time all the boats in front us us cleared and we launched out boat, they had broken out one of their tail lights and were to the point that the trailer was in the water, but so crooked that they couldn't get the boat to load on it. They were both screaming at each other and carrying on. She was cursing that this was the worst idea he has ever had. It was all quite a scene and quite humorous to watch. I was planning to get my truck out of the way, then help them load their boat, but when I got back, they almost had it ready to pull out of the water.

Another time at the same launch, I watched someone power load their boat right into the stanchion on the trailer. Once they backed up a foot, there wasn't anything left on the front of the boat to tie it to the trailer with.

All funny stuff to watch, but I sure am glad it hasn't been me.... yet

[pimpadelic]

if u cant get the bow high enough then you dont have the trailer in far enough.

if u drop the trailer in the water more then it will lower the bow stop so that it will load right.

if u only have the back wheels touching the water id say your not deep enough. i pull my boat with a ford f150. and i have to put the truck in enough that the water is at the center hub of my wheel.

but the angle of the ramp will play a factor too.

[blockp]

Originally Posted by pimpadelic

i pull my boat with a ford f150. and i have to put the truck in enough that the water is at the center hub of my wheel.

When your truck is that deep, how far under water are the fenders of your trailer?

If you're feeling adventurous sometime, try just barely covering the fenders and see how your boat loads. You may find you can load your boat quite easily with the added bonus that your feet don't even get wet.