Bridge Marina Boating How-To: Driving the Boat Up to the Trailer

[@justinpinker6305]

Everyone’s a captain in calm seas

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks for stopping by - we're fortunate to have a marina and boat ramp located in a calm, no wake zone.

[@nike12000haha]

Screw that! Power load that bad boy!

[@francisgraham7168]

So beta

[@nike12000haha]

@@francisgraham7168 if power loading and doing it the easy way makes me beta sure lets go with that!

[@96_12v]

No lie, I was out on my center console just today, power loaded onto my roller trailer bow rose up and smacked the keel right on the very front roller and cracked the keel, now I got fiberglass repair too do haha, for now on I'll power just until the bows passed first set of rollers, winch rest of the way up

[@nike12000haha]

@@96_12v no offense but thats user error in this case not that power loading as a whole is bad :)

[@francisgraham7168]

@@96_12v sounds like you messed up budd

[@Justaman183]

People on Miami Boat Ramps channel definitely don’t use this skill! 😂

[@jmar2k23]

Not at all. Coming in hot and bumping the dock is their method.

[@woodchopinbeekeeper929]

Bet that works wen the winds blowing

[@jeffhager9398]

wind and or current changes everything! that's to easy!

[@jamesglavich1426]

Wind blowing and or tide flow will make loading a little challenging.

[@madbrowndog4887]

Just the other day I watched the skipper of a small work barge approach his trailer just like this. But once in contact, he jammed the throttles open and drove it hard up to the post. Throttled back a little bit, then stepped up to the bow, leaned over and shackled it to the trailer post. Cool as.

[@lbowsk]

This is a great technique for SOME boats in SOME situations. But you're not going to use a winch to pull a 30' 10,000 pound CC up unless you have a roller trailer. I launch and recover in a narrow tidal creek and often the current is ripping. Coming in slow like that won't work. And not pushing the boat up the trailer (with power) won't work. The creek will simply pull the stern off the trailer's long axis and try and refloat the boat away from the trailer. I come in slowly, but fast enough for the boat's momentum to go about halfway up the bunks. Then I use helm and light thrust to fine-tune the boats heading within the bunks so that it will hit the bow stop. Then I goose the throttle and run it right up to the bow stop. Been doing this for over 20 years. Never damaged anything and my truck and trailer occupy the ramp for less than 5 mins.

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate that - thanks for sharing! Yes - there are certainly multiple ways to load a boat to a trailer and various loading conditions we could demonstrate. This video depicts one method that effectively prevents harm to the boat, its hull, the trailer, and the ramp in our experience. Appreciate you stopping by!

[@kevinstogner9477]

Perfect depth, just to top of trailer fender wells.

[@southboundb8707]

Teaching moment,I’m learning now.

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks for stopping by here!

[@jokerwins28]

have fun cranking it form that far back maybe put back in the water further expert level here lol

[@brqxton8974]

1. He’s right, 2. Most boat ramps have steep drop offs and you aren’t meant to dunk your bumper in the water

[@michaelm1573]

Nahh give her the goose 🦆

[@adventurequest5277]

That definitely won't fly around here. I can have my boat unloaded and put back on the trailer in less than 40 seconds. Your procedure takes two damn long

[@michaelquigley1411]

Take it easy Mario Andretti. If you proceed slowly then your mistakes occur slowly. But what do I know, I've only been doing this for a little over 50 years so...

[@60superduty]

Same here. Million people at the ramp that don’t know what they are doing and take forever. Trailer is in the water and boat loaded up and leaving in less than a minute

[@geirleirvik1478]

I am amazed how the US boaters submerge their trailers. In Norway you usually only submerge half a wheel, but we use rollers only so we winch it onto the trailer

[@richgo5328]

Kool stuff man. Any other stuff we can go over ? Start the video on “if owning a boat” and what it’s like to own a boat . That would be awesome !

[@Bridgemarina]

Thank you for watching, we appreciate your feedback and will add your idea to the list! Are you a boater?

[@markp.7165]

Had a Ski Nautique 2001 for years. Did exactly what this gentleman did except I would use the boats inboard motor to drive slowly to the bow stop. My wife and I had it down to a science and were often complemented on our loading. I would load ii on and she would drive us out like clock work. Never damaged a thing and got off the ramp. Actually my trailer didn't even have a wench. Didn't need it.

[@Bridgemarina]

Awesome - thanks for sharing! Are you still boating?

[@markp.7165]

Nope! Sadly not. I moved further away from the lake and it got to be just too much driving etc.. to enjoy it. I however loved every moment of boat ownership. @@Bridgemarina

[@Bridgemarina]

@@markp.7165 - Understood. Here's hoping boating presents itself again in the future - thanks again for stopping by here!

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate the comments and viewpoints here - there are certainly multiple ways to load a boat to a (bunk) trailer and various loading conditions we could demonstrate. This video depicts one method that effectively prevents harm to the boat, its hull, the trailer, and the ramp. It also ensures even loading of the boat onto the trailer. One could “power” the boat onto the trailer by using engine propulsion to push the boat onto the trailer. However, we have seen hull damage, boats going over the bow roller, trailer damage, propeller damage and more from doing so. Moreover, there is an additional risk of damaging the ramp due to the boat's propulsion washing away the soil beneath the ramp. Over time, “powering” the boat to the trailer can undermine the ramp's foundation, causing cracks, breaks, or even collapse into the washed-out area. Consequently, the ramp becomes less functional and may require expensive repairs. So, to avoid potential damage to boat, trailer, or ramp, this is the method we chose to illustrate. Thanks for stopping by and watching!

[@nickmarino2033]

I like his smooth style in 64 I own a 30 ft sport cruiser and I usually am by myself I get trailer close to dock I bury the trailer get out walk boat up to winch tighten apply safety chain get back in truck pull out slowly boat always sets itself im usually in and out in a few minutes

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate this - thanks for stopping by!

[@michaelquigley1411]

That's a shallow ramp. Maybe back in a few more feet. My rule is to have about 12 inches of the bunks above water. It's no bargain to be cranking a boat 6 or 8 feet onto a trailer.

[@bige8496]

This video should seen by every person that buys a boat that goes to a dock......

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate you stopping by and sharing that - thanks!

[@hsanguily]

Like a surgeon .👍

[@jason2171t]

you know what you’re doing !!

[@privateer177666]

Bump sticking the throttles makes things go smoothly

[@Dan-we7vs]

Apparently you haven't seen those people in FLORIDA at the dock ...😂

[@Flacowboy4hire]

The correct loading procedure. Power loading slowly destroys the ramp

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Where do you do your boating?

[@capnrik6397]

Try that with cross wind and current...

[@harryhall1725]

I'm a boater . I have guideposts on my trailer to guide me up and keep the back of boat correctly position on the trailer

[@justsomeguy6474]

It's full send or nothing. I've been to enough boat launches on a Sunday afternoon to know this.

[@ferrellcat5860]

Just back trailer in further and bring the eye right to the hook . Float it in from side of dock . Easy and done .

[@ronminator420]

Smart man

[@Bridgemarina]

Trying... :-)

[@mahdiiraqi313-pm2qw]

Nice 👌

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks!

[@Bierdaddy1]

No “power loading” and digging holes at the end of the ramp. Nice. Wish more people learned this skill.

[@GODSWORD11]

False information son

[@chriswf]

​@@GODSWORD11it does. I cast net off boat ramps, and they always have a dip after the concrete. Then the ground goes back up a little. If your boat ramp is a retired road under a man made lake, it might be different. Otherwise, where the boat ramp ends, it's a pit. Eventually it removes soil under the ramp, and the ramp breaks apart.

[@wadebass5600]

Would have liked to see you get out and winch it up. Im elderly and cant climb out like i used to and its getting increasingly hard to find people that have the time to go fishing. Looking for pointers on that part of solo loading a larger boat

[@Bridgemarina]

Great feedback - thanks! We're happy to add to our list for future videos. P.S. We typically make time for fishing if you're in the NJ area! 😉😁

[@wadebass5600]

@@Bridgemarina I'm in central Florida

[@petearvo8918]

Install a boat catcher ..

[@aubsession92]

No throttle it undermines the boat ramp.

[@bankfishingislife5484]

ya if you go too fast and a little off it gets stuck on trailer a little crooked then you have to strap it, back down more, then winch it in. slower is definitely better. but current and wind dictates some of that also.

[@A1K3NFISHING]

I have never winched my boat onto my trailer. I have always given the ole 2 stroke some gas and full send. I lock it down before taking it out the water though. Dropped my boat once not locking her down.

[@trustme7731]

I put my trailer deeper and float to within a foot of the bow roller. Why struggle with the strap pulling so hard on the bow eye.

[@SeaPro360]

It's good to back the trailer in too deep first to wet the bunks, then pull back out a little.

[@GODSWORD11]

Now try that with some current

[@sheldon6248]

Ya I see people literally full throttling as they come up the trailer lol. What's the rush? Like this guy's style 👍

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate that!

[@mikenixon5936]

That's all fine and good with the type of trailor you have. What you said absolutely does not apply to boats and trailers that are designed to be driven onto.

[@thefishfin-atic7106]

any tips on how to straighten a boat on the trailer? I have several uneven ramps where one tire is submerged, but the other isn't quite, and the boat sits sideways on the bunks once I pull out of the water. I keep needing to put the trailer in and out until the boat somehow sits more or less straight.

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks for asking! An easy-hard fix is put less of trailer in the water such that bunks/rollers are more exposed and winch the boat up onto the trailer. Typically, if trailer set up correctly, it will level the boat onto trailer. Be sure you have good winch strap (not dry rotted or underrated) and could need a multi gear winch if you don’t have one already. Good exercise, too😉 Hope helpful!

[@thefishfin-atic7106]

@@Bridgemarina thanks!!! I will try that on my next haul out of the water!

[@Bridgemarina]

@@thefishfin-atic7106 - Of course! Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

[@zacharyledgerwood3075]

So im no experts but. Im pretty sure its the same Force pishing or pulling?

[@matthewcoppolino5728]

Will the short burst method work when the winds blowing and the currents racing?

[@1pluce]

You could put the trailer in the water further... my boat is less than a foot from the bow stop when it stops

[@jamesparsons5633]

Need to back the trailer in more.

[@deancowart5650]

You can still damage the trailer or boat even tho your not driving it on the trailer

[@Tromboneplayer24]

Nope I will never do that it will not damage the boat just power it up a little bit so it’s on and than crank it up

[@BigPoppieSeed]

Now do the video with a 15 knott side wind and 25 other boats around

[@jones616]

Doesn't hurt to keep your weight off the boat when loading that's what the winch is for ❤

[@kevinreimers1271]

Try that with a strong wind or a lot of current!

[@MauriceHeberer-cz1dg]

Been power loading boats for years never hurt anything

[@charlesab]

Show us on a windy day.

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate the suggestion!

[@jerrywoodard3084]

Give it a little throttle slowly move up the trailer

[@user-fm6ln4fq8r]

Nice, calm day.😂

[@Bridgemarina]

Yes it was. :--)

[@lukeclarke1068]

You mean you don’t wanna do one last send before home time?

[@paulhorwath579]

Trailer not deep enough bow should be only a few ft from winch to start

[@akonitony2]

Need to see this done on a river with some current pulling you to the side

[@brianeichelberger9804]

How to load your boat when the water looks like glass and there’s no wind. Gotcha

[@Bridgemarina]

Fortunate to be located in a calm, no wake zone on Lake Hopatcong. Thanks for stopping by!

[@shitloveaduck]

Most of our boat ramps prohibit power loading. We have very sandy soil in the area and it destroys the ramps and don’t ever back too far to drop the axel over the edge if it’s damaged,,,,. It’s so common here you will hear about it if you power load. The vast majority know its wrong and destroys the ramps. They will also generally take your info and send it of, if not call Fish & Wildlife to see if they are in the area to check ya out. They like it, because that flagrant disrespect for the rules carries over to poaching (oversize, undersize, quantity of fish, how caught) drinking & boating, then driving, and sometimes worse. They get pretty decent enforcement. If the poaching is there, you lose your fishing gear, potentially up to the boat, trailer and truck!! 😂😂. They all were used to get you to where you caught those illegal fish!! If the bottom is boulders,,, have at it!! My power loading is a power winch!! 😂😂.

[@fukkyoutube]

see if you had stuck the trailer farther in you wouldn't need to power load it you could just float it over the trailer then make sure you crank down the ratchet strap tight then pull her out 😁

[@doyler4420]

Powerloading will not hurt anything besides other people's feelings that can't do it

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks for stopping by! There are certainly multiple ways to load a boat to a (bunk) trailer and various loading conditions we could demonstrate. This video depicts one method that effectively prevents harm to the boat, its hull, the trailer, and the ramp. It also ensures even loading of the boat onto the trailer. In our experience, one could “power” the boat onto the trailer by using engine propulsion to push the boat onto the trailer. However, we have seen hull damage, boats going over the bow roller, trailer damage, propeller damage and more from doing so. Moreover, there is an additional risk of damaging the ramp due to the boat's propulsion washing away the soil beneath the ramp. Over time, “powering” the boat to the trailer can undermine the ramp's foundation, causing cracks, breaks, or even collapse into the washed-out area. Consequently, the ramp becomes less functional and may require expensive repairs. So, to avoid potential damage to boat, trailer, or ramp, this is the method we chose to illustrate.

[@kengoings1737]

Trailer's not deep enough.

[@denvermalcomb2833]

If you put carpet on them you could go farther up, old school fix

[@maxhugen]

Dead flat water, not a puff of wind... now let's see you do exactly that on a blowy day. 🤣

[@Bridgemarina]

Yep - we're fortunate to have a marina and ramp in a calm, no wake zone on our lake.

[@CohlFam]

Dude, why sit there and wind up that winch when you could just power up🤦‍♂️

[@Bridgemarina]

Thanks for the comment and view! There are certainly multiple ways to load a boat to a trailer and various loading conditions we could demonstrate. This video depicts one method that effectively prevents harm to the boat, its hull, the trailer, and the ramp. It also ensures even loading of the boat onto the trailer. One could “power” the boat onto the trailer by using engine propulsion to push the boat onto the trailer. However, we have seen hull damage, boats going over the bow roller, trailer damage, propeller damage and more from doing so. Moreover, there is an additional risk of damaging the ramp due to the boat's propulsion washing away the soil beneath the ramp. Over time, “powering” the boat to the trailer can undermine the ramp's foundation, causing cracks, breaks, or even collapse into the washed-out area. Consequently, the ramp becomes less functional and may require expensive repairs. So, to avoid potential damage to boat, trailer, or ramp, this is the method we chose to illustrate.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Dead calm??🤣🤣 Your trailer should be able to handle your boat.

[@teabag1680]

Short bursts not good for drive shaft

[@johnthomas8605]

Do it in a current.

[@RedXCross1]

tide and wind and then see how beautiful , lol

[@lovernwashington5169]

Great job, winch her up

[@Bridgemarina]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching! Where do you boat?

[@MegaSling]

So I guess the 2000+ times I've powered on my trailer without incident where a fluke.

[@bigsmootht]

Still too far back to winch it up.

[@nicolebraxton6273]

The water is calm try that with the current 😂

[@nightrider5420]

Oh course you pick a dead calm day with No wind Or currents but that is a topic for another video I hope.😎👍

[@Bridgemarina]

Sure! We're fortunate to have a ramp in a calm, no-wake zone on our lake - happy to add to list of ideas!

[@tcap7917]

I'd have that trailer a little deeper.

[@bigjm3143]

No, it doesn't !!!! Power up !

[@manuelve1998]

I’d nudge it up a bunch further than that bud!

[@lovetofly32]

Uhh seriously? The trailer is too shallow! There's no reason to not motor it right up to the winch when the trailer is deep enough. There's no force needed when it can float right up to the winch as it has slight pressure on the rails.. 🙄

[@snowhawg219]

Perfect, be a man and crank it!

[@joepeer4822]

Should have backed the trailer in alittle more so as not to pull the boat so much on the rails.

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

The brakes are in the water lol

[@MichaelJohnson-mh7mp]

Again, no drama. Whyyyyyyy lol

[@MassinBassin]

I mean if you put the trailer in alittle more you wouldn’t have to undo your wench that much 😂you should be able to put that boat almost touching the wench

[@atvraceworld4412]

Gonna damage your body winching that thing. Power load it!

[@JetEnvy_TV]

Just throttle up 😅

[@mattcaesar5781]

Bs it aint gonna hurt the boat or trailer. Been doing power loading all my life this guy if full of it

[@jedjones7661]

I want to watch you get out of the boat lol

[@Bridgemarina]

:-)

[@chriswf]

I just step off into the water, holding onto the boat in case the ramp is mossy.

[@martinmallasch2814]

Most wimpy way to load, as soon as i get it on the rails i punch it!

[@J-remyM]

Video ends Power loads boat onto trailer

[@BuoyBomber1]

Na bro. That’s to much work. Smarter not harder.

[@tanyasteers4802]

No winch come on load it right or don't do teaching vids

[@camden7488]

Dont damage the ramp! Lol

[@Bridgemarina]

Check! :-)

[@e.r.t.583]

Ok then get out walk in the water and winch your boat onto the trailer When you get finished you can get into your truck soaking wet and make a mess for your kids to clean and your wife to wash

[@brianparker6811]

LOL

[@StefanMailey]

lol.

[@wondergirls7283]

😂😂😂

[@jameswalker4103]

Slow and easy that's the way to do it

[@Bridgemarina]

Absolutely, thanks for stopping by!

[@shauncurl6198]

why have bunks if you're going to winch it up. get rollers. defeats the purpose of bunks

[@BreechBangClear]

Cranking your boat up is a massive L.