power loading

[Gadgetman]

I know there was a discussion about this some time ago but am not sure how it ended. Here is my question, I have a 19'ProV with a bunk trailer. The only way I can get it on the trailer is by driving it on. Last weekend some old goat sitting at the landing chewedme out for power loading and told me that if the DNR was there they would have written me up. Is there any truth to that? I try and do it as gently as possible to avoid as much wash out as possible, but obviously some stuff is probably being blown out of the loading hole. Anybody know the deal on this?

[Ely Lake Expert]

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Why do you consider him overpaid for having a 40k Bass boat? Maybe he is the brain surgeon referenced in one of the previous posts.

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After watching him try to load it and his buddy stand there and watch. I think they could of been the real life examples that gave someone the idea for the movie dumb and dumber. If he was a brain surgean, I am staying the hell away from that hospital. I suppose the clown could of inherited it.

[Big Roy]

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So just a quick recap. As I understand the comments and stuff that I have read...

Powerloading is ok as long as you are just gliding up onto your trailer, with maybe a slight bump on the throttle, and then crank her on the rest of the way.

Exactly

IMO doing this will not create wash out because you aren't really pushing on it too hard.

You would have to create some, but no where near what it is now.

With my boat, the trailer needs to be about 1/3 out of the water, the bunks help guide it on so if they are too deep your SOL. When I am about 90% on I would have to goose it, however, since I am alone I usually get out and crank it on the rest of the way (about 4 turns and never in waders nor have I ever walked around the back of the boat) in most cases only my ankles get wet. Another reason why I do this is because while you are motoring on to the trailer with the motor trimmed up, as soon as you give it gas the motor will start trimming down and if the launch is shallow enough the prop could get damaged. Mine has not but I have seen it happen to others.

You guys are right about the bunks not supporting the entire length on the trailer and I stand corrected, and yes, you also need the rollers, without them unloading would be very difficult. the rollers are also used for keel support and most of the weight is on them. I should have said that the bunks in some cases (mine) are better support than all rollers and, for guiding the boat on the trailer so it will line up straight.

It might be a good idea for the salesman to take you out on the water and explain how to use it, they should show you the proper running trim, and make sure your getting the right RPM out of the motor. and yes show you how to drive on and off the trailer.

[knoppers]

poeple just need to use some common sense when loading. I try my best to get the boat trailer in far enough when both unloading and loading to ease the process.

I have seen worse damage to concrete ramps due to the ice going out, rather than from boat motors.