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It still amazes me that even with signs at all the local launches that say no power loading how many guys I see every time I am at a launch powering their boats on the trailers. It really can waste a lot of time at a ramp when you have to load, unload, reposition the trailer to load, unload, and load trying to get your boat straight on the trailer when you cant level the trailer because of all the holes. But I guess because all the guys on TV do it they must not know what there are talking about at our local launches. Yeah sorry turned into a small rant but if you dont want to crank your boat on the trailer get a power winch, they work great and dont create washout holes at the launch for the next guy.

Also great point on the lights most will forget that also.

Your right Jeff, that’s way I set the trailer at a certain depth, drive the boat almost to the trailer, shift into neutral let it coast on the trailer, hook up the wench (power) get it all the way on with it and pull out. You wonder why the marina doesn’t enforce the powering on and off, they have to hear it sometimes. Rudey

I bought a heavy duty dual speed winch and some good guides. I was in and out in a 4000lb boat. It used to really tick me off when a guy in an aluminum,that was lucky to weigh 1500 lbs,was dinking around making all kinds of racket powerloading. I used to say things to guys about how you ruin lauches doing that. Usually, I would just get a blank stare or people would argue about it. Now that I have a slip I don’t deal with the hassle. if you want to see a zoo, try landing a boat in South Haven on a weekend in the summer. People will literally pull the boat 2 foot out of the water and block the launch while they cover the boat up like they are putting it away for the year when they could pull up 20 yards and let the next person use the launch. If you say something guys will literally want to fight you.

I would never go back to trailering a boat unless I could fish on weekdays.

I remember when Ike cam through. That really tore the ditch up!!

Seen sevearl fights at Doynes and Portage marina over the years here. Seems silly over a simple thing like putting a boat on a trailer and pulling it home after a day on the water. I try to just level my trailer, pull the boat up with my electric winch, yeah I am getting old, say a couple have a nice days, and be on my way.