Downings Landing - What a shame.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by NH_boater

.........

I have seen numerous bass boats powerload. Two men on board, idle up to dock and one hops out, boat driver backs out slightly and waits, other man backs down the ramp, boater powers on and truck driver pulls forward with the boater still in the boat. This is fast, for sure, but ruins the ramp for others as well as their next trip back. PLEASE understand that I am not blaming this on bass boats only. I fish too. It is just something I have seen numerous times. I see bowriders and cuddy's power load too.

I have noticed the same thing.

We all need to think about the future of the ramp or the free ramp could quickly become one less access place.

R2B

[LIforrelaxin]

While power loading is a problem. I think what the boating community is missing is the fact that what is really needed is better ramp infrastructure. And more education on the various ways trailers can be built.

Having boated all over the country, The Northeast has some of the worst access points. Ramps are constructed so that they aren't steep enough, to facility floating boats on and off of trailers. Or when they are shallow they are built as huge concrete blocks so that power loading is not a problem.
The last thing about ramps in other area's of the country is that they are huge some wide enough to allow 5-10 boats launch at once...

Here in the Northeast ramps are often shallow, and end short such that the trailer is no longer on the ramp but rather out on the lake bed.

Because many are only big enough for one boat people often feel rushed.

The other thing that people need to consider is that bunk trailers if you are constantly loading and unloading your boat aren't always the best option. Most manufacturers, offer them as std. equipment for trailer boats because they are cheap and easy to produce. A roller trailer really solves many of the problems, however often add to the cost of a boat, so most people stay with the standard bunk trailer.

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

The other thing that people need to consider is that bunk trailers if you are constantly loading and unloading your boat aren't always the best option. Most manufacturers, offer them as std. equipment for trailer boats because they are cheap and easy to produce. A roller trailer really solves many of the problems, however often add to the cost of a boat, so most people stay with the standard bunk trailer.

Back in 1999 when I bought my first Baja (212 Islander), our favorite salesman, Jim, at Channel Marine told me that Baja did not recommend roller trailers, they recommended bunk trailers for better support of the hull and less chance of deflection in the flat hull surfaces. My current boat is a 25 Outlaw and it also is on a bunk trailer, although this particular trailer manufacturer was not my first choice for a trailer. So far, so good, I've not had any problems with my current boat or the trailer it sits on. I do think I need to adjust the bunks inboard a little to get maximum contact between the trailer bunks and the hull.

I've never power-loaded either of my boats onto the trailer but I used to idle on until the hull made contact with the bunks when I was launching at Ames Farm; they were winched up from there. Since I've been launching/retrieving at WAM, it's float off and float on only since they have docks on either side of the ramp and it's a simple process to walk the boat off and back on.

[NoBozo]

In REAL Life..Baja has it right. Bunks are designed for Support Of The Hull ....to Retain the shape of the hull as much as possable over time. (Yes..bunks are cheaper.)

Rollers offer easier loading and launch..BUT.. Offer Hard Spots (Stress points) which..in the long run.. can be detrimental to the retention of hull shape ..particularly with performance boats. NB

[Dave R]

I've had a roller and two bunk trailers. I'll never own another roller. Bunks work great and do an excellent job of aligning the boat perfectly.

I will never own another trailer with surge brakes either. Electric brakes are vastly superior in my opinion.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Rollers offer easier loading and launch..BUT.. Offer Hard Spots (Stress points) which..in the long run.. can be detrimental to the retention of hull shape ..particularly with performance boats. NB

This is only true when not enough rollers are used...... I have plenty of experience with both roller trailers and bunk trailers... have owned both and used both... Both have their good point and bad points...

People that have issues, with roller trailers are not providing enough support, don't have the proper roller trailer... They also buy cheap trailers, and don't bother to customize them to the application...

Like wise I also see plenty of boats, on poorly designed bunk trailers that do more damage then the do good....

The idea that bunk trailer better supports a boat, then a properly designed roller boat trailer, is a total misconception...

After having customized a roller trailer to properly fit a boat, I can tell, you that I could load the boat, just a fast as someone with a bunk trailer, with out any alignment issues. And there where no issue with the hull not being supported.....

I have had many marina's give me the same song and dance about bunk trailers are better, and the bottom line, is they don't have the desire, time, or expertise, to properly fit a roller trailer....

I looked at replacing my current bunk trailer a few years ago, with a roller trailer and talked with a few marinas, and was told that they would order a trailer, and fit it to my boat to the best of their abilities, but wouldn't be able do do any customizing.... This was after talking with the trailer and boat manufactures, knowing what model trailer I wanted, and what modifications where need to properly support the boat. The boat manufacture, recommend adding addition rollers at the stern of the boat, to better support the weight. The Trailer manufacturer recommended ordering the standard trailer, and adding the extra rollers myself, or ask my marina to do it when the did the fit of the trailer to the boat.. As the cost of doing a custom order was substantially higher for the couple of customizations I needed.. But the dealer wouldn't take the time to modify the trailer....They told me they would order the extra parts, but didn't have someone with the right expertise to install them, and truly fit the boat to the trailer.

As I ended up not trailing the boat, as much as I anticipated, I opted not to get the new trailer... but the experience taught me a few things... 1st if you do your homework there is nothing wrong with a roller trailer (I already knew this, but my experiences confirmed this) 2nd -- fitting a roller trailer properly, takes time, and marinas don't like taking that time... 3rd if you talk to the boat manufacturer and the trailer manufacture, you can get the results you are looking for. Oh by the way, the trailer I was looking to order, was the same on the Boat Manufacturer orders when a roller trailer is requested by a marina...