Question

The Boat Trailering Guys

I have a 24' boat and am thinking about power loading it at the ramp (when I get the courage). If three people are in the boat, including me at the wheel, do I have to worry about weight distribution of the passengers/crew when driving up onto the trailer? T. Lassiter Kankakee Illinois

T. Lassiter

Answered on: 6/2005

MIKE: First, I would recommend that you unload your passengers first. The occasional powerloading that I have witnessed at various launch ramps with passengers on board has left me shaking my head. For some reason it seems that the passengers always want to stand while this process takes place. They are usually "coaching" the driver as to how straight the boat is, where the trailer is, what the current is doing, etc..... Without fail, the driver (usually with little experience) comes in too fast, at too much of an angle, or not compensating for wind and drift, has to make sudden corrections causing the standing passengers tumbling to the deck or into a bulkhead. Not a safe scenario. Unload the passengers and let them guide you from the ramp. With that said, when you are on the boat alone, it should be level. It will be easier for you to center the boat on the rollers/bunks. GEORGE: In theory, you can powerload with people onboard. In practice though, I'd suggest getting people off the boat at the dock. They can assist with the loading once the boat is on the trailer. Mike is right; the last thing you need when powerloading is three people making suggestions.

The Boat Trailering Guys: Mike and George