How to Put a Boat Back on the Trailer | Boating 101

[@melcalahans5097]

First time boat owner here! We have rented and my husband has driven boats before, but never loaded and unloaded a boat. We have wanted a boat for 30+ years and finally did it! We took it out for the first time yestereday (wednesday) hoping it wouldn't be busy. We sucessfully unloaded (first time I EVER drove a boat) and after a few stressful attempts and some help from our older son who has driven boats before finally loaded it. We are still married LOL , but whew was it stressful. He wants to go back out today and to say I am stresssed is an understatement. Then I came across your video's and it is the most helpful ones I found as you show the details for both the driver of the boat and the driver of the truck. Many video's assume we know some of the basic things that new boaters DO NOT : )) Thank you and now that I have repeatedly watched your videos , hopefully today won't be as stressful and we can get to enjoying the good part!

[@ChantelBoats]

This makes me so happy! I hope the next time out was a better experience! Happy boating!

[@LumixInTheField]

First time boat owner here, really appreciate these videos! Can't wait to use what I've learned from these videos. Thank you!

[@411sponge72]

Thank you Chantel! This 101 series was really great!

[@marcusgarrison288]

New Boater here! SeaRay entry level boat. I've watched a LOT of videos on these subjects. I MUST say... YOU are absolutely amazing! SIMPLE! PROFESSIONAL! VERY well spoken, not a lot of hype and hoopla... you're great! I feel better about boating already. My boat is on order and I don't have it yet. I'm going to learn as much as possible before next season and buy up the things I need. I trust your judgement and advice! Thank you! PLEASE Keep it up!

[@ChantelBoats]

Welcome to boating! Thanks for watching!

[@xpsmax1]

good tips, but here where I live, you are not allowed to "power up" it also creates unnecessary wake for the other boats at the docks. Power up erodes the ramps when they are not concrete. Here, we use our ratchet to pull the boat onto the trailer.

[@plmn93]

I'm assuming you need to put the trailer a little deeper to do that?

[@coyoteodie4458]

@@plmn93, not as much as you might think. I have a bunk trailer and I back in far enough to get the bunks completely wet, than pull forward to see tops of fenders. That puts the front of my boat within 3 feet of the winch. Easy on from there. I would expect rollers to be even easier, but I've never used them so I can't say definitively.

[@kevinashleylewis]

Great vid and super tip about having the trailer backed in too far. I did that my first time and wound up almost sideways on the trailer and took out one of my posts. Lol

[@ChantelBoats]

Oh no! Happens to the best of us!

[@katymayrs]

Really helpful video thanks for making it!

[@mikemoore8135]

I always learn something from you. Thank you.

[@fredwalsh2560]

Thank you, fantastic advice.

[@ronstoner2420]

Still learning, and practicing....we love our boat! My problem has been the engine stalling out in low idle...the current then pushes me off track from the trailer...grrr....working on this engine issue for sure....great video!

[@ChantelBoats]

Oh no! That would not make it easy!

[@toddhewett1027]

I spray boat down with vinegar/water mixture. It works great. Also good if your vehicle gets sprayed with well water.

[@SnshnBlu]

Love it! Thanks

[@bobhazen8013]

I’m so thankful for your videos, I can’t tell you how many times I catch myself going back to them. Question: I’m currently researching transom tie downs, I love the retractable ones you have on your trailer what manufacture are the ones you have? Would you recommend them?

[@ChantelBoats]

The transom tie downs are AWESOME - www.activewake.com/shop/boat-main/boat-accessories/starbrite-2-heavy-duty-retractable-tie-downs-2-per-pack/

[@bobhazen8013]

@@ChantelBoats thank you - was just looking at them - will be buying them later today. Appreciate the link! Keep up the good work!

[@natetenney6808]

Love the 101 video series! Do you power your boat all the way on the trailer or use the winch to pull it the last bit? There are mixed opinions out there on "power loading" causing sediment pile up at the bottom of the ramp due to prop wash. Interested in your take! :)

[@ChantelBoats]

I typically power the boat all the way up when I am by myself, but if I have another person, I prefer having the winch help a bit so I don't have to hit it quite so hard! Everywhere I have lived/boated, our season lasts 6 months maximum, so I feel like there hasn't been an issue with "pile ups", but I could totally see that being a problem if it never has a chance to settle back down. I would definitely figure out a different way if it was becoming an issue on our ramps!

[@justinkirk2116]

Any tips for dealing with wind as you pull up to the trailer? Love all your videos btw!!!

[@ChantelBoats]

This is a great idea for a video! The boat is going to drift, so you can anticipate how much and point the boat accordingly. With this, you want to keep on the throttle so you have control at all times, so things are going to be moving faster! Worst case, get to the dock with people to catch you (safely!), and walk it into the trailer. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@mrhammadmossop1988ul-haq]

Thank you so much for this

[@ChantelBoats]

You're so welcome!

[@sarabachman9924]

Please explain how the winch is attached and detached. I have been told over and under the roller. Which is correct? Thanks.

[@ChantelBoats]

For this boat, under the roller. None of the boats I have worked with are over the roller, but there may be some out there.

[@jimkurzec2834]

Thanks. When are you going to do more videos?

[@ChantelBoats]

Hopefully soon!

[@tonyrocco3237]

When you talk about Wiping your boat down , do you wipe inside, outside and trailer? Thank you

[@ChantelBoats]

I do!

[@GiantsNinerFan56]

power your boat on the trailer is becoming illegal in some places. I use dock lines to pull my boat on the trailer, usually because I'm solo.

[@davidgroh2835]

Don't forget to state, raise the motor. No dragging the bottom of the motor on the ground when pulling the boat out of the water.

[@ChantelBoats]

This boat is an inboard, no trimming required!

[@GFRESH636]

So one key issue here that I can see for many boats.. It seems like the guide posts are just a tad bit wide. I know it will somewhat guide the boat on the trailer BUT if you come a little sideways like you have, the bunks may take out the hull fins some wake boats come with. There isnt much clearance between the bunks to screw it up. What are your thoughts?

[@ChantelBoats]

That could happen, and that's why I really recommend coming in slow enough that even if you are a little off, you won't be going fast enough to damage anything. If the trailer isn't too deep, the bunks should help settle the boat right where it needs to be.

[@jayp1379]

Great tips! Any suggestions on what to do if the boat comes off the bow stop a bit during travel? I had this happen to me when traveling a long distance and the boat moved about 1/2 inch off the bow stop. Obviously it’s almost impossible now to get it back up once the boat is off and out of the water. Interested to hear your take and if this is common issue.

[@ChantelBoats]

I haven't really had a boat work it's way back from the roller while driving, but if I don't get the hook right up against it when I put the boat on the trailer, as soon as I am on flat ground it will sit off the roller. Do you use transom straps? Did you recently replace the bow strap?

[@jayp1379]

Chantel Herbert Thanks, that makes sense. Maybe I didn’t have the hook completely snug against the bow stop when I pulled it out. It was a new strap so could be that it stretches a little the first few uses. Thanks!

[@kirbyspencer538]

With my 19' bass boat, if I am going downhill and hit the brakes hard the boat will always creep forward so that the eye re-engages the stop.

[@Tm-hf5vv]

Don’t forget to raise the prop before pulling out of the water

[@ChantelBoats]

This boat is an inboard, so there's no trim on the prop, but if your boat does, then yeah, definitely raise it up!

[@u_canttakethesky6032]

Our lake is only fifteen-twenty minutes from our house, still wipe down if we’re hosing off and wiping down at home?

[@ChantelBoats]

Probably not necessary if you are hosing it off at your house.

[@dmase32]

I really am interested in a wake surf boat. My question is do you need a 4x4 truck for them? My truck is only 2 wheel drive.

[@ChantelBoats]

2 wheel drive should be just fine. 4x4 isn't necessary. Just make sure you are well within the tow capacity of your truck with your boat, gas and gear.

[@xpsmax1]

Chantel Herbert how can you say 2 wheel drive is fine. I use my 4 wheel drive all the time when the ramp is wet. All ramps are different so I would gauge the ramp you plan on using along with the capability for the truck.

[@searchingforsea]

Does wiping down the boat/trailer right after pulling it out of the water also apply to a boat taken out of saltwater?

[@ChantelBoats]

With saltwater, I would rinse it off with freshwater first, flush the engine with fresh water, hose down anything inside that may have saltwater on it! Even with a saltwater package on these boats, you’ll still see a lot of corrosion if you aren’t careful!

[@searchingforsea]

@@ChantelBoats Thanks!

[@aquilotti1987]

is that a jet boat?

[@ChantelBoats]

It is not. It is a V drive inboard boat

[@JPlum2261]

My grandpa and gramma are pros at this

[@ChantelBoats]

I love that!

[@michaelanthony679]

I thought the whole idea with having a crank was so you don't need to drive right on the roller and lessen the chance of maybe causing some damage...

[@ChantelBoats]

Unless you have the trailer backed REALLY far into the water, you'd have a hard time cranking the boat up to the roller. You can definitely do it that way, but I would turn off the boat first so you have no chance of the prop hitting the trailer.

[@riveraf5053]

My boat rubs the trailer fender on one side... I'm trying to figure out why...

[@MN6WS6]

Check to see if your fenders are adjustable. Mine was the same way but there are slots behind the bolts that allow the fenders to move in or out on my trailer.

[@alexzaslavsky2570]

Chantal won't the boat air-dry on the way home in no time? Asking for a friend.

[@ChantelBoats]

All of the water spots will dry on there real good!

[@monicalarkin4616]

Don’t leave the tarp battined down for a long trip or the tarp will be destroyed by the wind by fraying the tarp !

[@barrybebenek8691]

But bumping into gear, out of gear, is what my Stingray’s owners manual says will harm my transmission. What gives? 🇨🇦👍🏼

[@uschurch]

Most transmissions don't take that well. Make sure your rpm is all the way down at idle when you put the engine in or out of gear. Also I don't think it's necessary to put the engine into neutral for maneuvering. Just idle the engine. It should have virtually no power.

[@kyleturner6965]

Never have l wiped my boat... Way too tired/old for that ocd ;)