solo loading, roller trailer, part 2

[Hot Runr Guy]

This past week I had an opportunity to try something new, while retrieving my Lund on it's roller trailer. The wind & waves were blowing into/crosswise at the ramp, so I didn't want to try driving on. I recently replaced my winch strap with one that has a slightly narrower hook on it, that fits within the sideplates of my winch.

Using the 3/8" double-braid nylon rope that I have permanently tied to the bow eye, I walked the hull down the dock, led it into the trailer, and clipped the bow rope to the winch strap. Using the winch, I pulled the boat onto the trailer, got close to the winch stand, clipped on the safety chain, and pulled out. Once I was out of the way, pulled the bow rope off the winch, clipped-on the strap, and snugged 'er up.

Stayed dry and no need to walk out on the trailer. The narrower hook allowed it to lay flat on the winch, so the 3/8" rope could just coil on over it.

HRG

[GBS]

OMG! That is SO obvious, and yet here I have been wading out to hook the winch to the bow eye, after I use the rope to guide it into the trailer - for years now!
Since the boat is in storage at a major local marine dealer, it should be nothin' to pick up a new, narrower snap for the winch. Thanks HRG, my cold, wet feet thank you even more!

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by GBS

OMG! That is SO obvious, and yet here I have been wading out to hook the winch to the bow eye, after I use the rope to guide it into the trailer - for years now!
Since the boat is in storage at a major local marine dealer, it should be nothin' to pick up a new, narrower snap for the winch. Thanks HRG, my cold, wet feet thank you even more!

GBS,
Here's another option I'm going to try, called a SkyWinch. I am going to add it to my winch post, not replacing my current winch, and see how well it works, again using the bow line to get the hook close enough to allow me to attach the strap and finish the job.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/produ...out/basket.jsp

There's a pretty "hokey" YouTube video of it, and while it's a little wobbly in use, again, I'm not going to replace my primary winch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FzY5sszXmE

HRG

[ffishman]

That Skywinch looks like a nice add on. Only thing I would not like is all that line laying at my feet in the bow while I fish.

[sportfish1]

I suppose you could snap the line on when you get to the dock?

[egladding]

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

GBS,
Here's another option I'm going to try, called a SkyWinch. I am going to add it to my winch post, not replacing my current winch, and see how well it works, again using the bow line to get the hook close enough to allow me to attach the strap and finish the job.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/produ...out/basket.jsp

HRG

This is a great idea! At $53, it's a cheap solution. How would you mount this on the winch post? Would you mount it above and behind the existing winch to utilize the bow roller?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by egladding

This is a great idea! At $53, it's a cheap solution. How would you mount this on the winch post? Would you mount it above and behind the existing winch to utilize the bow roller?

Well, after buying one, I realized it's a pretty marginal piece of equipment (IMO), so I returned it to Cabelas.

But yes, my mock-up had it forward & above the existing winch.

HRG

[Johnboy]

Pretty darn ingenious HRG. I will be doing the same thing to my trailer.

[yarcraft91]

Originally Posted by GBS

OMG! That is SO obvious, and yet here I have been wading out to hook the winch to the bow eye, after I use the rope to guide it into the trailer - for years now!
Since the boat is in storage at a major local marine dealer, it should be nothin' to pick up a new, narrower snap for the winch. Thanks HRG, my cold, wet feet thank you even more!

I slip on a pair of knee boots to keep my feet dry while I wade out with the winch line.

When you pick up a new snap, make sure the snap (and the bow rope) are rated for more working load than the winch can pull!